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Ocean Health Index [BIP]

Ocean Health Index [BIP]

Indicator description

The Ocean Health Index (OHI) is a scientific method to assess the benefits the ocean provides to people, and was developed because of the need for a quantifiable and easily communicated method to define, measure, and evaluate ‘ocean health’. The OHI method can be tailored to different geographies with different contexts, data, and priorities, and can be used to inform policy - particularly when assessments are repeated to track changes through time.

Mapping with Sustainable Development Goals

SDG Target 14.2

By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

SDG Target 14.3

Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

SDG Target 14.4

By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

SDG Target 14.6

By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

SDG Target 14.7

By 2030, increase the economic benefits to small island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

SDG Target 14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of “The future we want”

Mapping with 4th Ramsar Strategic Plan 2016-2024

Ramsar Target 2

Water use respects wetland ecosystem needs for them to fulfil their functions and provide services at the appropriate scale inter alia at the basin level or along a coastal zone.

Baseline

70% of Parties have included wetland issues into national strategies and planning processes such as water resource management and water efficiency plans. (National Reports to COP12).

Indicator
  • % of Parties that have included wetland issues into national strategies and in the planning processes such as for water resource management and water efficiency plans. (Data source: National Reports).

Possible further indicators that may be developed:

  • {% of Ramsar sites which have improved the sustainability of water use in the context of ecosystem requirements}
Ramsar Target 3

The public and private sectors have increased their efforts to apply guidelines and good practices for the wise use of water and wetlands.

Baseline
  • 50% of Parties report actions taken to implement incentive measures that encourage the conservation and wise use of wetlands. (National Reports to COP12).
  • 37% of Parties report actions taken to remove perverse incentive measures that discourage conservation and wise use of wetlands. (National Reports to COP12).
  • 60% of Parties report private sector undertaking activities for the conservation, wise use and management of wetlands in general. (National Reports to COP12).
  • % of Parties have national Ramsar Committees that include both governmental and non-governmental representation. (Data source: new question for National Reports).
Indicator
  • % of Parties reporting actions taken to implement incentive measures that encourage the conservation and wise use of wetlands. (Data source: National Reports).
  • % of Parties reporting actions taken to remove perverse incentive measures that discourage conservation and wise use of wetlands. (Data source: National Reports).
  • % of Parties reporting private sector undertaking activities for the conservation, wise use and management of wetlands in general. (Data source: National Reports).
  • % of Parties having national Ramsar Committees that include both governmental and non-governmental representation. (Data source: new question for National Reports).
Ramsar Target 5

The ecological character of Ramsar sites is maintained or restored, through effective planning and integrated management.

Baseline
  • At COP12, 973 Ramsar Sites have implemented management plans. (National Reports to COP12).
  • Number of Ramsar Sites that have effective, implemented management plans. (Data source: new National Report question).
  • 27% of Parties have made assessments of effective management of Ramsar sites. (National Reports to COP12).
  • 43% (950 of Ramsar Sites have updated Ramsar Information Sheets. (Report of the Secretary General pursuant to Article 8.2 COP12 Doc.7).
Indicator
  • Number of Ramsar Sites that have effective, implemented management plans. (Data source: National Report).
  • Number of Ramsar Sites that have effective, implemented management planning. (Data source: new National Report question).
  • % of Parties that have made assessments of effective management of Ramsar Sites. (Data source: National Reports).
  • % of Ramsar Sites that have updated Ramsar Information Sheets. (Data source: Ramsar Sites database).

Possible further indicators that may be developed

  • {Coverage of wetland dependent bird populations by designated Ramsar Sites. Indicator from Resolution IX.1 to be developed}.
  • {Coverage of wetland dependent non-avian populations by designated Ramsar Sites. Indicator from Resolution IX.1 to be developed}.
  • {% loss of IUCN Red Listed species from Ramsar Sites}
Ramsar Target 9

The wise use of wetlands is strengthened through integrated resource management at the appropriate scale, inter alia, within a river basin or along a coastal zone.

Baseline
  • 55% of Parties have adopted wetland policies or equivalent instruments that promote the wise use of their wetlands. (National Reports to COP12).
  • 71% of Parties consider wetlands as natural water infrastructure integral to water resource management at the scale of river basin. (National Reports to COP12).
Indicator
  • % of Parties that have adopted wetland policies or equivalent instruments that promote the wise use of their wetlands. (Data source: National Reports).
  • % of Parties that consider wetlands as natural water infrastructure integral to water resource management at the scale of river basin. (Data source: National Reports).

Possible further indicators that may be developed

  • {Involvement of stakeholders in various aspects of wetland and/or basin-scale management}