13 December 2011: The Pew Environment Group has published a synthesis document, titled “What States Want from Rio+20: The Ocean,” analyzing submissions by countries and political groups identifying what international leaders want from the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) for the oceans.

The UNCSD Secretariat has received and posted almost 700 submissions from countries, political group, regional preparatory meetings, UN entities, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), containing possible outcomes from the UNCSD. Many of these submissions highlight the importance of oceans.

The synthesis document published by the Pew Environment Group analyzes the submissions made by countries and political groups on threats to the oceans and the ramifications for sustainable development. In the document, the Pew Environment Group has attempted to highlight commonalities and offer recommendations to address these threats, in order to ensure a healthy ocean for future generations.

The threats identified in the submissions include: illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; destructive fishing practices, including bottom fishing and bottom trawling; and harmful subsidies. Recommendations for addressing these threats include recommendations relating to: science-based precautionary management; accountability and transparency of regional fisheries management organizations and arrangements (RFMO/As); and marine biodiversity conservation. The synthesis document concludes that, with regard to the oceans, it is critical that governance mechanisms and effective institutional mechanisms be instituted. It underlines that the international community must seize the opportunity presented by Rio+20 to take meaningful action to ensure the long term conservation and sustainable use of the ocean and its resources. [Publication: What States Want from Rio+20: The Ocean] [Pew Environment Group Press Release]