AEWA Implementation Review Process (IRP)

The AEWA Implementation Review Process (IRP) was established by the Parties to the Agreement at their 4th Meeting (MOP4) in September 2008 through Resolution 4.6 in order to support the implementation of AEWA.
MOP4 also decided that the AEWA Standing Committee will undertake the IRP. The IRP will look at issues that have adverse effects or potential adverse effects on either migratory waterbirds or on their sites and habitats as a result of human activities.
The AEWA Technical Committee developed an information sheet on possible cases, which is meant to provide basic information for assessment by the Agreement’s governing bodies. All stakeholders can use this form to submit issues of concern with regard to sites important for migratory waterbirds, waterbird species/populations or any other issue, which in their opinion constitutes non-compliance with the provisions of AEWA, to the AEWA Secretariat.
gsap
Visit page

Related content

La Red de áreas marinas de pesca responsable de Costa Rica

La red de áreas marinas de pesca responsable es la unión de los diferentes territorios marinos bajo una forma de gobernanza compartida tanto en el Pacífico como en el Caribe costarricense.  A través de esta Red, pescadores y pescadoras de toda Costa Rica participan de forma activa en la toma de decisiones referentes a la pesca responsable y la erradicación de la pobreza en las zonas costero-marinas.  La Red promueve la acción colectiva de aprendizaje y busca formas de conservación marinas basadas en el respeto de los derechos humanos.

Unselective, unsustainable, and unmonitored trawl fisheries?

In 2016, the term UUU (unselective, unsustainable and unmonitored) fishing was developed and a Resolution of the World Conservation Congress, adopted by Members, tasked IUCN’s Species Survival Commission with reporting on the concept. The resulting situation analysis utilises the trawl fisheries of China, Thailand and Vietnam to explore how some of the issues associated with UUU fishing can be linked back to these three elements. The report found considerable variation in each component of UUU across the case study countries but that uncontrolled fishery development resulting in excess fishing capacity is commonly a root cause, leaving long standing impacts which have proven very challenging to solve. Whilst the report does not provide recommendations for action, it does identify 14 areas where further work would help accelerate progress on sustainable use, the protection of species of conservation concern and help safeguard the marine ecosystem.

Species use database

The Species Use Database (SpUD) has been created by the IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULi) to help address this problem by collecting and synthesising information on the utilization of wild species globally, and specifically on the sustainability of that use.

The database is intended to appeal to a broad spectrum of users, from those in policy and decision-making, to academia and educators, conservation practitioners, civil society and NGOs, as well as any individuals interested and keen to learn more about the use of wild species. The individual records – and the periodic syntheses of these – can be used to guide and feed into sound policies and decision-making, that enhance legal, sustainable, equitable wildlife management practices and draw attention to those that are illegal, unsustainable and inequitable.

Fish Forever in Brazil: Solution for community-based fisheries management

As coastal development increases in Brazil, artisanal fishers struggle to protect their resources. By leveraging the government-created Extractive Reserves’ (RESEXs) legal structure and working with government, local fishers’ organizations, and communities, Rare’s Fish Forever program in Brazil has 1) established community-led governance and authority over artisanal fisheries; 2) designated managed-access fishing areas, combined with no-take reserves; and 3) improved participation of fishers and communitiy members in fisheries management and decision-making.

EcoGourmet: Bringing sustainable fish to your plate

Since 2009, EcoGourmet has enhanced the technical and administrative capacities of artisanal fishing cooperatives and to achieve responsible fishing. EcoGourmet facilitates the signing of fair agreements between suppliers, fishing cooperatives and restaurants and sensitizes consumers to the ramifications of their purchasing decisions. Participating restaurants offer locally sourced, sustainably caught fish. Negative impacts on ecosystems are reduced while profits for local fishers increased.

Sustainable Management of Morocco's Marine Resources

Implementation of an ecosystem-based participatory planning program for the benefit of artisanal fishermen operating in the Mediterranean. Under this program, fishermen were able to identify the challenges posed by illegal trawling and dynamite fishing. The creation of a monitoring committee allowed them to take their part in fighting these threats. Their overall income increased thanks to the commercial management of fishery products in the newly created cooperatives.

Monitoring Fish Landings by Coastal Communities

Lack of data on artisanal fisheries landings is a common element in tropical countries. The Participatory Monitoring Program includes the gathering and synthesis of biological information by organized groups of artisanal fishers. Multi-year data gathered by the fishers is presented and discussed with the community to highlight information on species, minimum sizes, volumes, trends and seasonality in the captures.  This process has resulted in significant changes in fishing practices and management.

“Tagging” fishing vessels to improve compliance and revenue generation

The solution addresses the challenge of how to identify and ensure that legal fishing vessels pay their license fees to district authorities, which are important as they fund fisheries management and enforcement efforts of local government structures. It uses a color coded small plastic zip-lock cable tie to identify licensed vessels, enabling fisheries officers and local community-based structures to determine if a vessel is legal and has paid the relevant fees for a particular district.

Sustainable Fisheries in the Galera-San Francisco Marine Reserve

The Galera-San Francisco Marine Reserve is one of the most important zones for biodiversity conservation in coastal Ecuador. Local residents are heavily dependent on it, with artisanal fishing as a core activity. The fishing association Arte Langosta and the Nazca Institute created a participatory management system which promotes the protection of biodiversity and sustainable local development. Stakeholders and authorities develop an effective governance model with fair economic alternatives.

Spelt as Surrogate Habitat for Grassland-Dependent Wildlife Species

The project addresses the dilemma of finding an economically viable grain crop that would not sacrifice food production for wildlife/biodiversity benefits. With the use of the non-GMO grain crop, spelt (Triticum aestivum subsp. Spelta), an alternative vegetation type on land can aid and maximize habitat value for rare grassland species and increase biodiversity on the landscape while also providing the producer with an economical food crop. The project results indicate that biodiversity increased and from an agricultural standpoint spelt was a more economical crop than hay.

Supporting the promotion of Imraguen fishery products in Banc d’Arguin NP

Fishing is an important and primary activity for Imraguen populations in Banc d’Arguin National Park. Imraguen women are engaged in processing fishery products using different species of fish, the most famous is the yellow mullet. This activity often provides women with only small revenues. To support them, the park administration has set up the “Imraguen Credit Fund ” with a 0% interest rate.

The FISH-i Africa Partnership

FISH-i Africa is a partnership of eight Southeast African countries, regional organisations and international experts that gathers, analyses, shares and strategically uses information to take action against illegal fishing operators. The initiative has shown that enforcement against illegal operators can happen, even if capacity is low and the ocean areas to monitor are vast. Key factors have been access to timely and relevant information and intelligence, effective information sharing and close regional cooperation.