AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

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.

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.

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.