NOWPAP
United Nations Environment Programme
Northwest
Pacific
Action Plan
Distr.
RESTRICTED
UNEP/NOWPAP/DINRAC
FPM 5/15
10 May 2006
Original: English
Northwest Pacific Action Plan
Data and Information Network
Regional Activity Centre
The 5th NOWPAP DINRAC Focal Points Meeting
Shenzhen, the People’s Republic of China, 10 - 11 May 2006
PROPOSAL FOR THE COMPILATION OF NATIONAL REPORTS AND
REGIONAL REPORT ON MARINE AND COASTAL BIODIVERSITY DATA
AND INFORMATION IN THE NOWPAP REGION
(revision)
UNEP/NOWPAP/DINRAC FPM 5/15
Page 1
PROPOSAL FOR THE COMPILATION OF NATIONAL REPORTS AND
REGIONAL REPORT ON MARINE AND COASTAL BIODIVERSITY DATA
AND INFORMATION IN THE NOWPAP REGION
(revision)
1.
Background
1) The Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal
Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region (NOWPAP) was established in September 1994 as a part of
the Regional Seas Programme (RSP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). A priority
was also given to the Establishment of a Comprehensive Database and Information Management System
(NOWPAP/1) at the First Intergovernmental Meeting on NOWPAP (IGM) to implement the objectives
related to marine and coastal environmental data and information management {Objective 1, tasks (a) and
(b), Objective 2 tasks (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e)} of the NOWPAP.
2) Based on the Resolution 2 of the Fourth IGM {ANNEX VI of UNEP (WATER)/ NOWPAP IG.4/7} by a
Memorandum of Understanding, the NOWPAP Data and Information Network Regional Activity Centre
(DINRAC) was established in December, 2000. DINRAC is the main entity to implement NOWPAP/1 and
its objectives are to develop and establish a region-wide data and information system on a number of
different topics from several sources, to establish comprehensive databases, and to promote and
coordinate regional cooperation and the exchange of information on the marine and coastal environment
in the NOWPAP region.
3) With about thirty years’ development of RSP, a new framework for international action is emerging and
biodiversity conservation, land-based activities and integrated coastal management are identified as
major concerns and priorities of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans. In order to follow
current trend of Action Plans and further improve operation efficiency of NOWPAP RACs, the proposal
was made by UNEP, acting as an Interim Secretariat for NOWPAP, at the 9th IGM in November, 2004,
Busan of Republic of Korea, to consider possible evolutions or new directions for NOWPAP RACs. It had
been recommended that DINRAC’s responsibilities and activities should be given a gradual change to
biodiversity conservation and biodiversity data management.
4) In accordance with the recommendations of the First Intersessional Workshop of NOWPAP held in
Seoul, Republic of Korea, 25-26 July, 2005, data resulting from other NOWPAP RACs activities (oil spills,
HABs, atmospheric and river inputs of contaminants, etc.) and biodiversity data could be also included
into DINRAC database with further focus on biodiversity management. Contributions towards
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implementation of global biodiversity conventions (CBD, CITES, CMS, Ramsar, etc.) and joint work with
MERRAC on marine invasive species are also suggested for future DINRAC activities.
5) The Northwest Pacific region is one of the most representative regions in marine biodiversity which
includes a great variety of coastal and marine species and ecosystems. But the region is also one of the
most densely populated parts of the world with rapid economic development, resulting in enormous
pressures and increasing demands on the environment. It is also suffering an ever-greater deterioration
on coastal ecosystem and habitats taken by the coastal development, industry, transport, and activities
such as land reclamation and intensive mariculture. Chemical and industrial wastes, untreated municipal
sewage, agricultural pesticides and nutrients flow directly into the ocean, which causes widespread
damage and stimulates eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. Marine and coastal biodiversity
covering spectacular marine life and commercially important fishing resources is confronted with great
threat.
6) As convention-implementing states of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the People’s Republic
of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation have set up their implementing
agencies of CBD, formulated corresponding national strategies and action plans for biodiversity and also
completed respective “National Report on Biological Diversity”. Abundant data and information on
biodiversity have been accumulated on the national basis due to great amount of financial input of each
state. But in the NOWPAP region, the data and information on marine life and resources obtained
through marine surveys are quite limited, which brought great challenge for evaluation on biological
diversity in the whole region, because each Member has its different national conditions with different
utilization rates of marine resources and different priorities in the marine surveys. Therefore, only through
collecting data and information on marine and coastal biodiversity in the regional level, cognizing general
situation of marine and coastal biodiversity data and information, identifying data demands of biodiversity
conservation and then to push forward formulation and improvement of policies and strategies for marine
and coastal biodiversity conservation of the NOWPAP region, can the related information support be
provided for the wise use, development and management of the marine and coastal environment so as to
obtain the utmost long-term benefits for the human populations of the NOWPAP region.
7) In light of the above-mentioned reasons, DINRAC is duty-bound to conduct development and research
on coastal and marine biodiversity data and information in the NOWPAP region. It is of great theoretic
and practical significance for DINRAC to collect materials on the current situation of marine and coastal
biodiversity data and information and the related activities and projects implementation, and formulate
“National Reports on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Data and Information in the NOWPAP Region” and
“Regional Report on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Data and Information in the NOWPAP Region”,
which would lay a solid foundation for the development of DINRAC in the next phase, facilitate marine
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and coastal data and information exchange among NOWPAP Members and provide reliable, timely and
intact data and information service on marine and environment in the NOWPAP region.
2. Objectives
Based on the research and survey on marine and coastal biodiversity data and information activities, four
national reports will be developed by DINRAC FPs or/and national consultants designated by DINRAC
FPs in each of the NOWPAP members and one regional report will be developed by an expert hired by
DINRAC in order to give a general overview on the current status of marine and coastal biodiversity data
and information in the NOWPAP region and then identify existing gaps and needs and make
recommendations for future work so as to follow the current trend of wise marine biological management
worldwide and achieve marine resources sustainability of the region.
3.
Expected Outcomes
1) The national reports on marine and coastal biodiversity data and information in the NOWPAP region
will be developed and printed as NOWPAP DINRAC Publication after compilation and harmonization.
2) The regional report on marine and coastal biodiversity data and information in the NOWPAP region
will be developed based on the compilation and harmonization of four National reports as NOWPAP
DINRAC Publication.
4.
Actions Required
The National Reports and Regional Report on marine and coastal biodiversity data and information in the
NOWPAP region
a.
An outline for the National Reports will be developed by DINRAC and a consultant (see Annex).
b.
Focal Points in each NOWPAP Member or/and national consultants designated by DINRAC FPs
will be in charge of collecting data and information and composing its National Report as the outline
required.
c.
The National Reports should be submitted to DINRAC by DINRAC FPs as required by MoU
signed between DINRAC and FPs.
d.
An expert will be employed by DINRAC to analyze National Reports on marine and coastal
biodiversity data and information submitted by Focal Points.
e.
Based on the National Reports, the Regional Report will be developed by the expert and
submitted by DINRAC to RCU and UNEP for approval.
f.
After compilation and harmonization, the National Reports and the Regional Report will be printed
and distributed by DINRAC.
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5. Timetable and Budget
No.
1
Actions
Development of the Outline of the National
Reports
Term of execution
May, 2006
Implemented by
DINRAC and a
consultant
2
Collection of Data and information, Formulation
June ~ August, 2006
of the National Reports
Focal Points
or/and National
Consultants
designated by
FPs
3
Submission of National Reports to DINRAC
August 31, 2006
Focal Points
4
Analysis of the National Reports and
Formulation of the Regional Report
September, 2006
Expert and
DINRAC
5
Submission of the Regional Report to RCU and
October 15, 2006
UNEP for Approval
DINRAC
6
Essential Compilation, harmonization and
publication of the National Reports and the
Regional Report
DINRAC
December, 2006
Total 18,000 USD was allocated to implement the Activity K in 2006, in which
a.
3,500 USD for Focal Points in each NOWPAP Member to collect data and information and
formulate its National Report;
b.
2,500 USD for the Expert to analyze National Reports and formulate Regional Report;
c.
1,500 USD for DINRAC to draft outline for National Reports, make compilation and harmonization
of National Reports and Regional Report and their publication.
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Annex:
OUTLINE OF NATIONAL REPORT ON MARINE AND COASTAL
BIODIVERSITY DATA AND INFORMATION
The report should provide a review of the current status of data and information systems, activities and
programs on marine and coastal biodiversity in the NOWPAP region. The report should cover at least the
following elements and statements:
1. Country
2. Issued date of the report
3. NOWPAP DINRAC Focal Points

name, title, institution, address, telephone, fax, e-mail, website URL
4. Brief introduction to the status of marine and coastal biodiversity and related ecosystems
4.1 Current status of marine and coastal species diversity
4.2 Current status of marine and coastal genic resources
4.3 Current status of health of marine and coastal ecosystems
4.4 Threats to the marine and coastal biodiversity
4.5 Status of marine and coastal biodiversity conservation
5. Current status of data and information on coastal and marine biodiversity
5.1 Brief of data collection and observation on coastal and marine biodiversity

brief of institutions /organizations collecting biological data and information (name, address,
telephone, fax, e-mail, website URL, main activity)

data observation system

data collection methods

data types and amounts
5.2 Data and information products related to coastal and marine biodiversity
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
reports, atlas, CD-ROM and other publications or brochures in electronic and printed visions

software’s and their application

taxonomic database for species (title, time period and update frequency, coverage, storage
location, accessibility and access method, URL, etc.)

database for marine functional ecosystems (title, time period and update frequency, coverage,
storage location, accessibility and access method, URL, etc.)

database for literature on marine species and biodiversity (title, time period and update
frequency, coverage, storage location, accessibility and access method, URL, etc.)

others
5.3 Projects and their implementation related to data and information on coastal and marine biodiversity

on-going projects

workshops

trainings

Metadata

others
5.4 Priority research fields of data and information aiming at existed and potential threats to coastal and
marine biodiversity
6. Status of expertise and capacity building in support of the marine diversity data and information
research

strengths

weaknesses
7. Conclusions and recommendations for the future actions