MOE Formulates Marine Biodiversity Conservation Strategy

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Japan's Ministry of the Environment (MOE) announced on March 29, 2011, that it has formulated the Marine Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. The new strategy has been developed based on the National Biodiversity Strategy 2010 in line with the Basic Act on Ocean Policy and the Basic Plan on Ocean Policy. The strategy aims to protect the diversity of life that supports the health and function of marine ecosystems, and to ensure sustainable use of marine ecosystem services - marine resources.

Geographically, the Marine Biodiversity Conservation Strategy mainly covers those marine areas including exclusive economic zones which are within the jurisdiction of Japan. The strategy compiles information on characteristics of marine environments and diversity of life, ecosystem services and human impacts on marine biodiversity. It also outlines the perspectives to be recognized and the direction of measures for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity.

The Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), in particular, have been drawing international attention as a management tool, but they had not been clearly defined in Japan. By clarifying the MPAs' definition and concepts, the strategy indicates that Japan expands its MPAs and improve their management by utilizing existing legislation such as national parks, and promote the development of a network of MPAs.

Japanese Cabinet Approves National Biodiversity Strategy 2010 for COP10 (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/030030.html
Japanese Gov't Drafts Strategy to Better Protect Marine Environment (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/028909.html
Towards Biodiversity Conservation in Japan
http://www.japanfs.org/en/mailmagazine/newsletter/pages/027854.html

Posted: 2011/07/08 06:00:15 AM