Rio+20: Protecting the biodiversity of the oceans

Rio+20: Protecting the biodiversity of the oceans

Rio+20 (15/06/2012) – Braulio Dias, Executive Secretary of the UNCBD talks about the stronger collective effort that is needed to face the challenges of the threats to our oceans.

Somewhat of a neglected issues, Braulio says the oceans and marine biodiversity will be the focus of the CBD’s International Day of Biodiversity this year, to focus on the multiple challenges which face the sea – including pollution, over fishing, invasive species, global warming, acidification and the impacts on ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs.

He says a major problem will be addressing the drivers of the problems in the oceans – both economic and social – and mainstreaming the biodiversity agenda into other sectors – particularly the development sector which is the main cause of many of the problems facing the oceans.