Sustainable Management of Oceans in a Changing Climate

The world's Large Marine Ecosystems (LME) produce about 80% of the annual world marine fisheries catch and contribute an estimated USD12.6 trillion/year in goods and services to the world  economy. These goods and services are under threat from overfishing, pollution, habitat loss, invasive species and climate change. UNDP-GEF has been applying the LME approach to regional ocean  governance since 1995 and has been involved in 13 of the 21 LMES supported by the GEF.

UNDP-GEF's Sustainable Ocean Management Programme presently assists groups of countries sharing 1 0 of  the world's most important LMEs in applying integrated, ecosystem-based, climate resilient approaches to sustaining LME ecosystem services. Through transboundary diagnostic assessments and support to the development and implementation of LME action programmes, the programme helps to put in place LME governance regimes to transform markets and create sustainable productive use  patterns of coastal and ocean resources.

As of June 2012, 81 countries are implementing 11 projects with a total value of USD 365 million. USD 64 million is grant funding from the GEF/ LDCF/SCCF/SPA Trust Funds.