Linking Small-Scale Fisheries to International Obligations on Marine Technology Transfer

Abstract

A B S T R A C TThis article analyses the interplay between inter-State obligations to increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.a, with a view to contributing to enhanced implementation of the international law of the sea (SDG 14.c), and providing access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources (SDG 14.b). It proposes to do so by relying not only on the international law of the sea, but also on international biodiversity law (particularly the Convention on Biological Diversity) and international human rights law (particularly the human right to science). The article seeks to provide a reflection on the opportunities arising from a mutually supportive interpretation of different international law instruments with regard to the means of implementation for SDG 14 in synergy with other SDGs (particularly SDG 17 on 'Partnerships for the Goals' and its targets related to technology transfer, capacity-building and partnerships). (M. Ntona). 1 The plurality of terms used to describe small-scale fisheries, including artisanal, inshore, traditional, municipal and subsistence, is a testament to the lack of consensus on how to talk about different categories of fishing. Some of these terms feature more prominently in specific geographical contexts. At the global level, it is perhaps more useful to refer to a list of the main dimensions that often characterise small-scale fisheries: D.S. Johnson [7], p. 749.

Transformative Governance for Ocean Biodiversity

“…across different regions, monitoring of effectiveness, and learning from experience. The need for such an approach has already been demonstrated in other international processes, such as the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (Morgera and Ntona, 2018). In addition, benefit-sharing is a key element to recognizing Indigenous peoples and local communities for their global contributions to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and to respectfully integrate their knowledge systems 50 in relation to MPA creation and management at different levels.…”

Ocean justice: SDG 14 and beyond

“…Indeed the sharing of technology is not mentioned in anywhere of the performance indicators associated with SDG 14, although it appears to be instrumentally important to achieving a number of its targets. The targets do not discuss how technology could be diffused, and who if anyone might be obliged to bear the costs of that diffusion (Morgera and Ntona, 2018). In this context, it has been argued that building up local and sustainable marine industries could be an important goal for overseas development aid.…”