A/RES/72/73
Oceans and the law of the sea
research efforts and the evaluation of monitoring results, and applying such
knowledge to management and decision-making,
Reiterating its deep concern at the serious adverse impacts on the marine
environment and biodiversity, in particular on vulnerable marine ecosystems and their
physical and biogenic structure, including coral reefs, cold water habitats ,
hydrothermal vents and seamounts, of certain human activities,
Emphasizing the need for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships,
Expressing deep concern at the adverse economic, social and environmental
impacts of the physical alteration and destruction of marine habitats that may result
from land-based and coastal development activities, in particular those land
reclamation activities that are carried out in a manner that has a detrimental impact
on the marine environment,
Reiterating its serious concern at the current and projected adverse effects of
climate change and ocean acidification on the marine environment and marine
biodiversity, and emphasizing the urgency of addressing these issues,
Noting with concern, in this regard, the findings by the World Meteorological
Organization, in its annual Greenhouse gas bulletin, that for the first time, in 2015,
carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere were 400 parts per million, on average across
the year as a whole,
Expressing concern that climate change continues to increase the severity and
incidence of coral bleaching throughout tropical seas and weakens the ability of reefs
to withstand ocean acidification, which could have serious and irreversible negative
effects on marine organisms, particularly corals, as well as to withstand other
pressures, including overfishing and pollution,
Reiterating its deep concern at the vulnerability of the environment and the
fragile ecosystems of the polar regions, including the Arctic Ocean and the A rctic ice
cap, particularly affected by the projected adverse effects of climate change and ocean
acidification,
Recognizing the need for a more integrated and ecosystem-based approach to,
further study of and the promotion of measures for enhanced coope ration,
coordination and collaboration relating to the conservation and sustainable use of
marine biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction,
Recognizing also that the realization of the benefits of the Convention could be
enhanced by international cooperation, technical assistance and advanced scientific
knowledge, as well as by funding and capacity-building,
Recognizing further that hydrographic surveys and nautical charting are critical
to the safety of navigation and life at sea, environmental protection, including the
protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems, and the economics of the global shipping
industry, and encouraging further efforts towards electronic charting, which not only
provides significantly increased benefits for safe navigation and management of ship
movement, but also provides data and information that can be used for sustainable
fisheries activities and other sectoral uses of the marine environment, the delimitation
of maritime boundaries and environmental protection, and noting that, under the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, 14 ships on international
voyages are required to carry an electronic chart display and information system, in
accordance with the implementation schedule as set out in tha t Convention,
__________________
14
4/55
United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1184, No. 18961.
17-21819