Session Report Cover Sheet
SESSION CODE: NATE - 11
Name of Convener(s):
International Ocean Institute, Institute for Ocean Policy – SOF,
UNESCO-IOC, WMO
DATE:
Session Title: Dialogue Between the Ocean
17 - March, 2003
and the Fresh Water
Accommodation: El Inn Kyoto
Contact information
Contact No.: Tyler Russell: 090-4064-4511, 03-5454-0231
in Japan
Contact E-mail: intercom@qb3.so-net.ne.jp
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Session Report
SESSION CODE: NATE - 11
Reporter/Rapporteur: Gunnar Kullenberg, Tyler Russell, Tomohiko Fukushima, John
Dolan
Contact E-mail : intercom@qb3.so-net.ne.jp
1. Key Issues
The session sought to engage a dialogue that will allow us to consider the hydrological cycle, which
largely affects and is affected by the ocean, as a whole.
The presenters, active in various aspects of water management, introduced cases illusidating the
interrelationship between the ocean and freshwater. Introductions included looks at the ocean’s role in
El Nino prediction and climate change, the impacts of freshwater management on ocean environments
including disturbances in the nutrient flow from the catchments to the sea, as well as the ocean’s
freshwater balance including in the arctic.
A particulariy stimulating presentation was given by Fisherman Mr. Shigeatsu Hatakeyama, President of
“The Society To Protect Forests for Oysters.” He spoke to the relationship between nutrients that flow
from the forests to feed the oysters and the effects positive and negative of various human actions.
The need for a comprehensive water mangagement was highlighted through the discussion of the
existing ocean governance regime, including the issue of education and awareness creation actions.
Observing the complexity and enormous importance of the entire watersystem it was concluded that the
ideas of Arvid Pardo, which underlie the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, ought to be brough to the
realm of the entire hydrological cycle including the freshwater, oceans, climate and society. Basically
the hydrological cycle, not only the oceans and atmoshphere, should be considered as a whole and; as
the common heritage of humankind.
2. Actions
Mr. Hatakeyama emphasised the importance of experiential education for awareness raising,
particularily in the programs he has run over the last several years.
These programs include binging
fellow fishermen to the mountains to plant trees for the sake of fisheries, shellfish harvesting and
seaweed production and bringing children from mountain communities to the sea for them to gain an
appreciation of their daily activities impact on the oceans.
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The actions and impacts resulting from wise use of forcasting were noticable in frreshwater management
in health, public safety, tourism and fisheries sectors.
The abilities to apply the practices require
institutions with staff able to use environmental obserations, providing forecasts and commuicating them
to users and decision makers.
3. Commitments
The debate highlighted the need for commitments for linkages between the communities of Freshwater
and Ocean.
Understanding that the effects of the relationship between the oceans and freshwater go far beyond the
coastal zones; the limited capacity of institutions national or international to handle intersectoral issues;
the strong need for interdisciplinary, and cross-sectorial education in this respect; the need to
commuicate the results of science in an understandable fashion so that they can be used in practical
applications. The need to foster awerness of the downstream in upstream actors and visaversa in
order to foster proper policies was also highlighted.
The ocean community stressed the impacts of forests, river flows and their proper functioning on ocean
environments. Understanding our lack of understanding of the implications of the relationship between
the Ocean and Forests and noting that the implications make the water problem even more complicated,
we still strive to know more.
Climate experts emphasised that their knowledge of the relationship of the land, mountain and ocean
connection to climactic events such as El Nino and Indian Ocean Diode (IOD) was expanding and could
be used more and more effectively by governments and various water use planners though knowledge is
still very limited.
This debate sparked a commitment for deeper connections between all aspects of the hydrological
cycle.
4.
Recommendations
An action plan can include:

preparation of proceedings of the session which may be used as awareness creating material
and in education activities;

preparation of indepth case studies involving ocean and freshwater communities,and covering
local, national, regional scales;

implementing awareness creating seminars with all sectors and with decision makers and
authorities;

specification of a comprehensive training programme which can be internationally accepted,
and possibly provided through an international network of education or other institutions;
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
awareness
creating
actions
at
local
level
introducing
or
using
existing.
in-situ ,community-based co-management.
Such an action plan would span over several years. The actions would help to overcome gradually
various obstacles. Progress could be reported at a session at the World Water Forum 4. Part of the
preparatory work for a session then should include identification of indicators and evaluation procedures.
These can include proofs of increased understanding for role of ocean processes through enhanced
support to ocean observations and use of these in medium range forecasting.
A final nice quote by Mr. Shigeatsu Hatakeyama: “The Forest is the Lover of the Sea” and visavera.
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