Coastal Communities Initiative

In a major signal of hope for communities across the world who are most vulnerable to #ClimateChange - including #CoastalCommunities - the International Court of Justice has clarified the duties of countries to protect the earth's #climate system, protecting both people and nature 🤝

YouTube video by WWF Coastal Communities Initiative Coastal Communities Initiative x Climate Acceptance Studios

Hear from our Initiative Lead @mariahonig.bsky.social talking about #WWF's approach to working with #CoastalCommunities, the impact that the dedicated teams who contribute to the Coastal Communities Initiative have on the ground, and the optimism we have for the future 🙏

Joint Media Release - Transboundary Learning Strengthens Coastal Community Resilience Participants in turtle hatchery at Sipadan Island Park © Justice Khor / WWF-Malaysia 25 February 2025, Semporna: Sabah Parks in partnership with WWF-Malaysia, supported by the Semporna District Offi

A 3 day learning exchange supported by WWF-Malaysia & WWF-Coral Triangle saw 50+ participants from #CoastalCommunities, local authorities & conservation orgs in the Sulu #Sulawesi Seascape come together to share knowledge on restoring & conserving #marine ecosystems via Nature-based Solutions! 🌊 🌱

🌊 Coastal Communities Initiative Newsletter | Edition 4 The WWF CCI worked alongside Global Ocean Lead Scientist Nathan Bennett to spotlight the need to protect the fundamental human right to a healthy ocean at UNOC. Through a dedicated “Human Rights and…

Dive into our latest newsletter for news and updates from across the CCI Network, including 👇

📚Transboundary learning in Sulu Sulawesi seascape
🌱Reviving ecosystems in Southern Apulia Landscape
💪Scaling deep in support of women & girls
📢Spotlighting the right to a healthy ocean at #UNOC3

Reporting from #UNOC3: Ocean Defenders 🌊 | SeaVoice Reporting from #UNOC3: Ocean Defenders 🌊 Human rights and ocean health are interconnected. We speak with Divon Mwamba about his work as the Program Lead Officer at the South West Indian Ocean Tuna Fo...

“We're talking about an #ocean that supports the food security, supports the livelihoods, supports the cultural identity of coastal communities, so when this ocean is degraded [...] this directly affects the rights of #SSFs” Divon Mwamba of #SWIOTUNA speaking at #UNOC3 👏👏

The Northern Mozambique Channel Region is recognised as a @UNEP World Restoration Flagship🏆

Supported by @WWF SWIO, improved #fisheries management, and #mangrove & #reef restoration are working to revive 4.85m hectares & uplift #community wellbeing 🎉 tinyurl.com/25664fdc

YouTube video by UN Environment Programme Trailer: RESTORE the Indian Ocean’s Seedbed

🌱 WWF's work in SWIO region is a UNEP World Restoration Flagship!
"Biodiversity protection, climate action, and economic development are deeply connected. To deliver our restoration goals, our ambition must be as big as the ocean we must protect.” #GenerationRestoration
youtu.be/zwTxkpeOMSM?...

From new MPAs to progress on the #HighSeasTreaty, #UNOC3 delivered vital momentum for ocean conservation. But unless we tackle the #climatecrisis, marine ecosystems will continue to unravel. The ocean is sending distress signals—we must act before they are irreversible.
wwf.panda.org/discover/oce...

The Northern Mozambique Channel Region is recognised as a
#UN World Restoration Flagship 🏆

Supported by WWF SWIO, the region is being restored via improved #fisheries management, and #mangrove & #reef restoration, reviving 4.85 mil hectares & uplifting #community wellbeing 🎉 tinyurl.com/25664fdc

#UNOC3 has put the wind in the sails that ocean action needs, says WWF, hailing progress on ratifying the High Seas Treaty, WTO Fisheries Subsidies Deal, support for a deep-sea mining moratorium, more marine protected areas and a Plastics Treaty. Read more now: wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/pre...

Catch @mariahonig.bsky.social exploring the pressing challenges & pressures involved in coastal management, sharing insight on ways to support local leadership to drive lasting #CoastalCommunity resilience at the State of the Coastal Systems event today! 🌊👇 tinyurl.com/zn5huw6m

#UNOC3

Reporting from #UNOC3: Ocean Defenders 🌊 | SeaVoice Reporting from #UNOC3: Ocean Defenders 🌊 Collective action is needed to protect the human right to a healthy ocean. We speak with Matai Zamuël about his work as a WWF-Guianas Youth Ambassador and Oce...

“Economic development does not negate #HumanRights”
Matai Zamuël, #WWF Guianas Youth Ambassador & #OceanDefender 🌊

Collaborative, strategic action is needed to support #CoastalCommunities & uphold their right to a clean, healthy & sustainable ocean in the face of a growing #ocean economy 📣

#UNOC3

Mapuche community female rep sharing about the challenges for women in Chilean fishing community and that they will defend the laws of Indigenous people and their maritime territories which is currently under attack. "Our CTA is for women ocean rights to not be rolled back". #UNOC3

Brainstorming ways to accelerate the implementation of the @fao.org #SSF Guidelines through #data systems that are inclusive & led by #fishers - key to advancing governance of #SmallScaleFisheries

📷 @mariahonig.bsky.social moderating the session!
@wwf-ocean.bsky.social

"If you want to understand how to protect the ocean, look at these people on the stage to understand." Greta Aguilar, DG #IUCN. Let's take the decision today to protect and recognise #oceandefenders who are #EHRD. Sign the CTA #UNOC3

Kicking off our event at #UNOC3 with #OceanDefenders sharing their personal testimonies - brave, wise and important stories to hear on this global stage 🌊📣

@riseup4theocean.bsky.social @nathanjbennett.bsky.social

How can #SSF contribute to 30by30? If the goal is to protect the ocean, then the government needs to protect those who are dependent on the ocean. Participation, recognition, and ensure we are in partnership and not jits stakeholders. #UNOC3 side event "Advancing equity in #SSF"

Launching a global coalition for #sharks and #rays here at #UNOC3! We need to turn the tide for these cornerstone species and with all hands on deck from governments, and the entire oceans community, we can!

Indigenous Peoples fight to be heard at plastics treaty talks Though disproportionately affected by plastic pollution, Indigenous Peoples are struggling to shape a global treaty on it

The UN Human Rights Council has just officially recognised plastic pollution as a threat to human rights. Here's a look at how plastic disproportionately affects Indigenous Peoples - and how they're fighting back dialogue.earth/en/pollution... @dialogueearth.bsky.social

#unoc3 #unoc3 #seavoice #oceandefenders | SeaVoice SeaVoice reporting from #UNOC3: Ocean Defenders 🌊 A healthy ocean is a human right, but it is being undermined by declining ocean health. We speak to Nathan Bennett about Ocean Defenders - the peop...

“There really is a role for everyone to support the #HumanRight to a healthy #ocean & to step up in support of ocean defenders around the world.”

At #UNOC3 @nathanjbennett.bsky.social shares how we can take action in support of #CoastalCommunities & the right to a healthy ocean 🌊 👇

📽️ SeaVoice

Youth are key actors in the implementation of #GBF targets, and yet we do not have access and support to attend conference like #UNOC-3 because of visa requirements and high costs. Nonetheless we are committed to it's delivering all targets
@gbyn.bsky.social

What strategic alliances are needed to embed #HumanRights in #ocean governance? @mariahonig.bsky.social of @wwf-ocean.bsky.social will explore the role of human rights actors in promoting accountability & supporting #CoastalCommunities at this #UNOC3 side event TODAY 🌊👇

Shakuntala Thilsted describing that a child in Bangladesh can name up to 50 species of fish they eat, showing how important diversity is to our diets
#UNOC3

Join the Coastal Communities Initiative Lead @mariahonig.bsky.social at this important discussion which seeks to unpack how co-designed data systems can transform #fisheries governance, ensure greater #sustainability & traceability, and shape #community-led management 👇

#SSFs

"Let's also be blunt: Too many well-intentioned commitments are going unfulfilled. It’s time to break the bottlenecks, strengthen and restore resolve, and achieve what’s been promised," says WWF's DG, Kirsten Schuijt, as she takes the floor at #UNOC3. 🌊 Read the full statement: tinyurl.com/32e5fs3z

Astrid Puentes Riaño @srenvironment.bsky.social draws on her recent #UN report to provide an overview of the human rights issues in the #ocean environment, emphasizing the role of #governments & the private sector in addressing them.

Find the report here 👉 www.ohchr.org/en/documents...

Our first panel: “From #community perspectives to the big picture” sees presentations from artisanal #fishermen Julian Media Salgado (🇨🇴) & Rommel Todd (🇬🇫), & Astrid Puentes Riaño (@srenvironment.bsky.social‬), Special Rapporteur on the human right to a healthy #environment.

As the #OceanEconomy accelerates, so too do the impacts on the #marine environment & on people, with #HumanRights violations - from labour abuses to overfishing & #IUU fishing - taking a huge toll on the welfare & wellbeing of #CoastalCommunities.
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Growing global demand for resources & declines in land based resources have seen an unprecedented increase in the scale & speed of development of the #OceanEconomy, incl. expansion into new areas, intensification of economic activities, & emergence of new ocean industries.
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International law recognises that there are a universal set of human rights that are fundamental to human wellbeing, spanning #economic, #social & #cultural rights, civil & political rights, rights of #IndigenousPeoples, & the right to a clean, healthy & sustainable #ocean.
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