The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty responsible for promoting the conservation of biological diversity, ensuring the sustainable use of biological components of ecosystems, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

Parties to the Convention meet every two years to review the implementation of the convention. The Pew Environment Group was present at the 2010 CBD meeting, hosted in Nagoya, Japan from October 18-29. Pew ‘s delegation attended to engage with NGOs, scientists, government representatives and to offer science based international expertise as it relates to the objectives of the CBD convention and in particular, the programme of work on marine and coastal biodiversity. The delegation focused on emphasizing several topics of expertise including Port State Measures, destructive fishing practices, overfishing, illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, large pelagic species: sharks, tuna and whales, marine protected areas (MPAs) including those on the high seas, and issues relating to the deep sea such as bottom fishing. PEG’s objectives for the conference and recommendations to Parties were outlined and elaborated in a policy brief titled, “Recommendations to the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Marine Issues.”

At the 2010 meeting, Pew also hosted a successful side event titled, “The Role of Marine Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Conserving Large Pelagic Species.” The side event discussed the global status of marine biodiversity with a particular emphasis on large pelagic species: sharks, tuna and cetaceans. Speakers discussed current threats to marine biodiversity, existing conservation measures, gaps and inadequacies in management and enforcement and proposed methods for ensuring future sustainability including the establishment of marine reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. Presentations highlighted successful achievements including Palau’s 2009 shark sanctuary declaration which closed its entire economic exclusive zone (EEZ) to shark fishing. Palau later extended the same protections to marine mammals in its EEZ following an announcement by the fisheries minister at a press conference during the first week of CBD.