Entitled as “Restoring the Ecosystem Carrying Capacity of the Yellow Sea Ecosystem”, the UNDP/GEF YSLME Phase II Project final video was formally launched on October 19, 2020 during the 5th and final Meeting of the YSLME Interim Commission Council.
With the 20-year implementation of the UNDP/GEF YSLME Projects (Phases 1 and 2), the once extensively exploited large marine ecosystem of Yellow Sea has started to regain its health through innovative and concerted actions of PR China and RO Korea with support from various partners.
The video captures key developments and initiatives in the Yellow Sea region in line with the implementation of the YSLME Strategic Action Programme (SAP). In particular, the video highlighted the following achievements made as a result of collaboration and commitment from the Yellow Sea countries, partners and collaborators from the international, national and local level:
- Strengthened regional and national cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships on ecosystem-based management and YSLME ocean governance;
- Imposition of national and local policies in Yellow Sea countries that are geared towards sustainability and green development;
- Recovery of fish population through implementation of fishing vessel buy-back scheme, fishing moratorium, total allowable catch, mesh size control, marine ranching, marine reforestation, application of Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), use of biodegradable gears, etc.;
- Wetland conservation and Marine Protected Area networking;
- Biodiversity protection particularly to save the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper and the endangered Spotted Seals through habitat protection, restoration, monitoring and networking through biophysical connectivity;
- Marine litter (including microplastics) monitoring as well as imposition of programs and technologies on marine litter reduction through implementation of national marine debris monitoring, reduction and recycling programs; and
- More buy-in and deeper commitment from stakeholders as a result of various capacity and awareness building activities and dissemination of knowledge/information products.
As the UNDP/GEF YSLME Phase II Project is concluding its 6-year project term this year, the video hopes to impart the valuable experiences gained under the project to encourage further cooperation and to urge Yellow Sea partners and stakeholders to sustain the momentum in addressing the persistent and emerging challenges in the region toward the vision of securing the Yellow Sea as a common heritage.
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