Side Event

Valuing and managing marine resources for human wellbeing

Organizer
Fondazione ENI Enrico Mattei, Paulo Augusto Nunes Conservation International, Rosimeiry Portela

Date and Time
22 October 2010 16:30 - 18:0

Meeting
Tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 10)

This session will examine the complexities of valuing and managing the oceans for human wellbeing. The importance of the oceans to people will be demonstrated by the first global economic valuation of marine ecosystem services, specifically shoreline protection, recreation and fisheries. The socioeconomic benefits and challenges of management strategies, particularly the increasingly popular marine managed areas, will be discussed based on over 18 MMA experiences worldwide which reveal such benefits as improved income and livelihood opportunities but problems with equity among users and dependence on foreign aid. Finally, the session will discuss the realities of management related to human behavior, particularly the importance of economic incentives based on a global analysis of 15 MMA experiences conducting alternative livelihood programs, buy-outs and conservation agreements.