Sustainable development of coasts and oceans relies on using the best available tools, latest scientific researches, and innovative platforms for prioritizing, setting goals and targets, and making sound decisions. Advances in these aspect of sustainable ocean and coastal management are expected to grow steadily.
The East Asian Seas (EAS) Region keeps up with the continuous advancements supporting the conservation and management of coastal marine resources. Among these are the tools and knowledge products to aid local planning and management, the applications of satellite science and technology for coastal and marine management, the latest trends of land reclamation in the region’s coastal areas, and the engagement of universities and research centers in supporting ocean-focused SDGs.
Learn and explore the EAS region’s latest tools and scientific research for the sustainable development of coasts and oceans with the leading organizations and experts on Track 5: Tools and Research in the upcoming EAS Congress 2018 on 27-30 November at the Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City, Philippines.
Session 5.1- Speed dating with Technical Tools for Strengthening Coastal Management
The Capturing Coral Reef and Related Ecosystem Services (CCRES) project developed a suite of models, tools and knowledge products to support local planning and management decisions for a healthy ecosystem and sustainable use. CCRES hopes to introduce and promote these tools which can be used to build system-wide solutions in the EAS region.
For better appreciation and understanding, a fun, interactive speed-dating activity will allow attendees to experience the tools with expert tool users. The two-hour activity hopes to meet potential project partners and practitioners for the uptake and adoption of the tools, and to establish an online library where these end-users can access the tools and resources.
Session 5.2- Satellite Observation Data-based systems for Improved Coastal and Marine Management: Moving from Research to Services
Plymouth Marine Laboratory, together with Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL), Singapore, and in collaboration with First Institute of Oceanography affirms that Earth Observations (EO) from space can provide unique and cost-effective information to aid sustainable coastal and marine management. With this, they aim to identify opportunities for the application or further integration of Earth Observation data, including trainings to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA).
Speakers will share local, national, regional and international experiences, latest developments in technical solutions and infrastructure for data delivery to end-users. Discussions will also highlight networks and industry requirements, including potential regional challenges on the applications of earth observations marine services. The two-hour session intends to illicit recommendations for the application and integration of EO data and to identify potential partnerships in the EAS region.
Session 5.3 – A Critical Review of 25 Years of Land Reclamation in East Asia
Technological advances have enabled faster and larger-scale reclamation that transforms the marine environment to an unprecedented degree. The widely implemented land reclamation and the idle reclaimed lands in many East Asian Countries concerns Florida International University, Xiamen University, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership, and UNDP/GEF Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem Phase II Project. With this, they aim to critically reflect on the issues of land reclamation in the region.
A two-hour session, which includes various presentations and a panel discussion, will cover aspects and trajectories of land reclamation in the region as well as the latest trends in reclamation. A comprehensive summary of the East Asia’s land reclamation experience over the past 25 years and some of the ways forward will also be shared at the end of the session.
Session 5.4 – Higher Education Forum on Implementation of UN SDG 14 and other related Ocean and Coastal Goals
Higher education institutions play a vital role towards the sustainable development of the coasts and seas through its core activities in education, training, research, governance and external leadership (SDSN, 2017:10). The PEMSEA Network of Learning Centers (PNLC) attests that fostering dialogue, research, networking and sharing of knowledge significantly supports the implementation of SDG 14 and other related ocean and coastal goals through capacity development programmes that contribute to building and maintaining a critical mass of ICM leaders and practitioners in the region.
To showcase strategies, initiatives, and challenges and to discuss the potential mechanisms for joint research projects and training, PNLC will convene a two-hour session featuring a series of presentations and a panel discussion. The forum will provide a platform for university leaders to share, discuss and commit to strengthening collaboration among ICM Learning Centers through joint initiatives under the wider umbrella of the PNLC, with an outcome that leads to new action programmes and partnerships on education, training and research areas.