The Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and Strategic Action Programme (SAP) development approach for the management of Large Marine Ecosystems is consistently used to develop management strategies for the Large Marine Ecosystems (LME).

The two primary objectives of this report were 1) to review the TDA-SAP Process and identify the common issues, threats, causes and barriers and how each of the LMEs are addressing these through the SAP implementation process, and 2) based on this synopsis and ‘round-up’ of TDA-SAP delivery, identify the linkages between the TDA-SAP processes and the SDG 14.

TargetsThis report has reviewed this assess­ment and management process in 24 of the world’s LMEs through 18 GEF-funded projects and initiatives. It concludes that the TDA and SAP process are ‘fit-for-purpose’ and have evolved good practices and imple­mentation objectives after two dec­ades of trial and improvements. There are some important areas which could be improved however and these are captured under a set of Recommen­dations that address this need.

The review has then looked in detail at the interlinkages between the LME SAP process and objectives and those of the SDG 14 and other SDGs. It con­firms that there is an intrinsic align­ment between the two processes and that the TDA-SAP processes and SAP Implementation will inevita­bly and significantly assist with the delivery on most, if not all, of the SDG 14 Targets and Indicators and, indeed on many of the other SDG Tar­gets.