AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

One of the first projects supported by FFEM at its inception sought to improve water resource management in the Jordan River Basin. That was back in 1994. Since then, FFEM has worked ceaselessly to increase and structure its action to improve the resilience of aquatic ecosystems, from continental waters to the high seas.

OUR ACTION TODAY

Aquatic ecosystems play a crucial role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Yet, the high seas, coastal zones, wetlands, and freshwater hydrosystems are all suffering destabilization from anthropic pressure and global warming. FFEM supports nature-based solutions to protect aquatic ecosystems and restore their regulatory functions.
Image sous-marine © Alexis Rosenfeld
MANAGEMENT, PROTECTION, RESILIENCE
Fonds sous Marins

Improving governance of the high seas

Départ Lorient equipage salue depuis Tara

Improving governance of the high seas

FFEM advocates for the establishment of protected areas in the high seas. To fi ght anthropogenic pressures such as plastic and noise pollution and to mitigate global warming,these should be outside national jurisdictions. And to better structure ocean governance, FFEM encourages developing countries especially small island states to participate in negotiating a legally binding international instrument for sustainable management of marine biodiversity in the high seas. Among other actions, FFEM works toward improving scientific knowledge of these environments.

Restoring coastal ecosystems

Mer des Sargasses © Erwan Amice

Restoring coastal ecosystems

FFEM finances ecological engineering projects aimed at conserving, restoring, and rehabilitating coastal environments that have been severely degraded by artificialization of coastlines, pollution, and extraction of marine materials. By protecting coastal ecosystems (mangroves, sea grass beds, reefs, coastal forests), FFEM helps fight the effects of climate change particularly coastal erosion and strengthens the resilience of those ecosystems and of the people who live there. It promotes local sustainable development that respects biodiversity, in particular via small-scale fishing. It promotes planning and consultation among local stakeholders at different levels to help create integrated management of coastal zones.

Conserving approach wetlands and their hydrosystems

bénin-EI-AFD-projet-WaSAf

Conserving approach wetlands and their hydrosystems

FFEM focuses on nature-based solutions to restore and maintain the functions of wetlands and to fight the effects of climate change.It pays particular attention to the areas where freshwater and saltwater meet, to better support flood risk management, groundwater replenishment, and preservation of biodiversity reservoirs. FFEM also encourages partner-based integrated watershed management, which is very important for water resources, and capacity building for managers and decision-makers.

80
aquatic ecosystem projects financed since 1995
€95 M
committed to aquatic ecosystems over the past 25 years

A cross-cutting Recognizing approach

To preserve aquatic ecosystems over the long term, restoration and conservation actions must be combined with improved practices, whether in reducing greenhouse gas emissions or in promoting sustainable fishing practices. With this in mind, FFEM supports cross-cutting projects that target aquatic systems as well as climate issues and pollution. In this way, we contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

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strategic document

Strategy document 2023-2026

Strategy document 2023-2026

...
Feb 2023
Brochure

Aquatic ecosystems resilience

High seas, coastlines, wetlands, and freshwater hydrosystems: their role is crucial for climate regu

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Oct 2023
Brochure

Aquatic Ecosystems at FFEM

Since its creation in 1994, international waters and aquatic ecosystems have remained two of the FFE

...
Jun 2021
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