In 2018, Decision 14/8 was passed by the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP14), defining the concept of other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).

Four years later, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was ratified at COP15. Target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework aims to conserve 30% of the world’s land and sea areas by 2030 – this is known as “30x30”. In 2023, an experts’ workshop was held to identify possible marine OECMs to help South Africa meet the Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30x30 target. In 2024, this workshop was followed by a desktop study on the most promising potential marine and coastal OECM mechanisms in South Africa.

This summary report is based on a technical report that was the output of the study to highlight the emerging common understanding being developed about marine OECMs in South Africa.

This report analyses potential future marine OECM mechanisms and their geographical coverage, the costs involved in marine OECM recognition and how these costs may be financed. A chapter is dedicated to the establishment and financing needs of small-scale fishing zones, a potential novel OECM mechanism in South Africa.

A “roadmap” is also included to show how marine OECMs can be implemented in South Africa.

Report by the World Wildlife Fund