220 likes | 338 Views
Agenda Item 6.1. Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs). Prof Nic Bax, CSIRO Australia. Outline. Introduction Western South Pacific Caribbean and Western Mid Atlantic Northeast Atlantic Mediterranean Region Concluding comments. Facts: 64% planet high seas
E N D
Agenda Item 6.1 Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) Prof Nic Bax, CSIRO Australia
Outline Introduction Western South Pacific Caribbean and Western Mid Atlantic Northeast Atlantic Mediterranean Region Concluding comments
Facts: • 64% planet high seas • Oceans >95% biosphere • 14,000-100,000 seamounts • 64% (>130m) beyond national jurisdiction • Pressures: • Intensifying human uses • Climate change • Ocean acidification Credit: Halpern et al. 2008 (Science 319)
Life started in the oceans 90% of planet’s living biomass in oceans >50% animal phyla yet to make it to land New species being found daily Even new ecosystems ¾ of oceanic sharks & rays threatened or near threatened Deepwater coral 3850m Tasmania
Western South Pacific • GOODS Biogeographic boundaries modified by SPREP member territories • > 100m depth • Marine Biodiversity Value • 10,000 islands covering 40 million sq km of ocean • Epicentre of marine biodiversity • Fisheries and tourism • Climate change • Ocean acidification
Data • 57 data layers (including modelled interpretation) • Physical oceanography (CSIRO) • Seafloor geology + (GA) • Deep sea coral (CoML and MCI) • Fisheries (SPC) • Species diversity (OBIS) • Birds (Birdlife International) • Turtles, whales??
Collaboration • 13 Pacific nations • 9 international organisations • SPREP supported by CSIRO • Process • Initial identification • Explain data and criteria • Examine datasets on wall • Propose and justify • Enter into GIS database • Discuss and agree in plenary • Refine
26 Potential EBSAs 2 for future consideration
Summary • ____ • ____ ____ • ____ ____ __ _____ _ ____________ • _________ ____ __ ____ _ _______ • ________ • ___________ _____ ____ • ______ ______ • ____ _____________
Good collaborations – nations and scientists • Valuable data collation • Expert driven process – second workshop recommended for comprehensive result • EBSAs provide potential focus for research and monitoring • Connectivity and network issues remain to be resolved before COP IX/20 Annex II is considered.