ARCTIC COUNCIL ARCTIC MARINE STRATEGIC PLAN. 2nd DRAFT – March 2, 2004.

Abstract

"The Arctic Marine Strategic Plan represents an important opportunity to apply sustainable development and address the many existing instruments and governmental commitments to improve the management of ocean and coastal resources. As such, a key objective of the strategic plan is to promote the implementation of applicable international instruments such as UNCLOS, the UN Convention on Climate Change, the International Maritime Organization Conventions and Protocols, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the London Convention, the Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species, the Global Programme of Action, FAO Action Plans and relevant regional instruments such as the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR). In addition the plan needs to assist in meeting the obligations set out in the targets from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), noting in particular the commitment to an ecosystem approach, improved reporting and assessment, sustainable fish stocks, reduction in marine pollution and the establishment of a network of marine protected areas (see Table 1). The strategic plan will facilitate meeting these obligations and commitments." /.../