Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DTE
Context: The Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM) was launched to address critical marine challenges in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf, aiming to enhance sustainable ocean governance and protect biodiversity.
About Ocean Coordination Mechanism (OCM):
• What it is: A collaborative framework for sustainable marine resource management in the Wider Caribbean region.
• Launched by: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC).
• Implementing Agency: UNESCO-IOC Sub commission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (IOCARIBE). Funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the UNDP/GEF PROCARIBE+ Project.
• Funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the UNDP/GEF PROCARIBE+ Project.
• Ocean Covered: Caribbean Sea and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem.
• Aim: To promote sustainable fisheries, ecosystem restoration, pollution control, blue carbon development, marine spatial planning, and marine protected areas.
• Features: Focuses on cross-country collaboration, integrates traditional knowledge with scientific research, and prioritizes vulnerable communities.
About Caribbean Sea:
• Location: The Caribbean Sea is a tropical sea of the North Atlantic Ocean, located south of the Gulf of Mexico and southwest of the Sargasso Sea.
• Nations Bordering: It is bounded by the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico), the Lesser Antilles (Virgin Islands to Trinidad and Tobago), South America (Venezuela, Colombia), and Central America (Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico).
• Geographic Features: Deepest point: Cayman Trough, at 7,686 m (25,217 ft) below sea level. Features the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s second-largest barrier reef, stretching 1,000 km (620 mi) along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Major gulfs and bays include the Gulf of Gonâve, Gulf of Venezuela, Gulf of Darién, Golfo de los Mosquitos, Gulf of Paria, and Gulf of Honduras.
• Deepest point: Cayman Trough, at 7,686 m (25,217 ft) below sea level.
• Features the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s second-largest barrier reef, stretching 1,000 km (620 mi) along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.
• Major gulfs and bays include the Gulf of Gonâve, Gulf of Venezuela, Gulf of Darién, Golfo de los Mosquitos, Gulf of Paria, and Gulf of Honduras.
About North Brazil Shelf:
• Located in: The North Brazil Shelf is part of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, stretching along the northern coast of South America. The coast between the mouth of the Amazon and the Orinoco rivers, also known as the North Brazil Shelf
• The coast between the mouth of the Amazon and the Orinoco rivers, also known as the North Brazil Shelf
• Nations Bordering: It is bordered by Brazil (Amapá state), French Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana.
• Geographic Features: Known for its extensive muddy shorelines, formed by sediment deposits from the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. Home to expansive coastal swamps, mangrove systems, and rich biodiversity.
• Known for its extensive muddy shorelines, formed by sediment deposits from the Amazon and Orinoco rivers.
• Home to expansive coastal swamps, mangrove systems, and rich biodiversity.
Insta links:
• Marine-resources