Marine News Iucn Global Marine and Polar Programme

MARINE NEWS IUCN GLOBAL MARINE AND POLAR PROGRAMME

ISSUE 12 - NOVEMBER 2015 Climate Change Adaptation Special MARINE NEWS Issue 12 -November 2015 In this Issue... IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme 1 Editorial Rue Mauverney 28 By Pierre-Yves Cousteau 1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel +4122 999 0217 Fax +4122 999 0002 2 Overview of the GMPP www.iucn.org/marine 4 Global Threats Editing and design: Oceans and Climate Change, Alexis McGivern © Pierre-Yves Cousteau Ocean Warming, Ocean Acidifi- Back issues available cation, Plastic pollution The ocean is our future; for better or externalisation of environmental costs beginning of the “digitization of the at: www.iucn.org/about/ for worse. (to abolish the business practice of Earth”. How will Big Data shape con- work/programmes/marine/ deferring onto society and natural servation, sustainable development gmpp_newsletter “There are no passengers on space- capital all the negative impacts of and decision making? 12 Global Coasts ship Earth. We are all crew.” - Mar- economic activities), and the cogni- Front cover: © XL Catlin shall McLuhan, 1965. tive frameworks and values that we We are living a fascinating time, where Blue Solutions and Blue Forests, are conditioned for by mainstream the immense challenges mankind fac- Seaview Survey The advent of agriculture over 10,000 media and politicians (obsession with es are matched by the technological Vamizi, Maldives, WGWAP, BEST years ago had a profound socio-eco- financial success, personal image ability to innovate and adapt. The bar- Top picture: A fire coral be- Initiative nomic impact on mankind. Today and hedonism). These challenges riers that hold us back from designing fore and after bleaching. On however, when it comes to the ocean, also bring new opportunities, such as and implementing truly sustainable the left is a healthy fire cor- we are still very much hunter-gather- blue financial products derived from societies worldwide are mostly per- ers. The sea belongs to no one, and the improved management of eco- ceptual, within our minds. As my late al, while the right shows a 28 Global Commons to everyone. So in addition to being systems, new sources of energy and father Captain Cousteau once said: completely bleached coral. out of sight, it is lost to the tragedy of mineral resources, and a new under- “The day every citizen of the Earth Seamounts, High seas conserva- the commons, as defined by Aris- standing of the ocean system. Our considers himself as a steward of the Bottom picture: The tion, Sargasso Sea, Poles totle: “That which is common to the ability to make the right choices, and environment, we will be very close to bleaching at Airport Reef in greatest number has the least care to meet these challenges successful- the solution.” bestowed upon it.” ly, is impaired by blind spots in our American Samoa assessed knowledge of the oceans. by marine biologist Alice 34 Marine and Coastal News from As our societies turn an avid eye Lawrence. towards the ocean, in quest for per- In order to sustainably manage Around the Union petual economic growth, we are at a the ocean, we need to better Editorial IUCN GMPP overview fascinating crossroads. Blue growth understand it. The ocean ab- Mediterranean, South East Asia, can come as the nail in the ocean’s sorbs 90% of our planet’s heat and Global Coasts: © IUCN coffin, with intensifying and unregu- captures one fourth of our CO2 With the United Nations Climate Maldives Oceania, West Africa, MCSC, lated fishing and mining, a plunder of emissions. So much remains to be Change Summit later this year in Seven Seas, WCPA Task Force the sea already well eroded by thou- discovered today. The temperature Paris, we can hope that the leaders of Global Commons: © John sands of years of carelessness. Or of the sea at depth for instance, the world will use all available envi- Weller blue growth can come as a milestone at ecosystem scale, is still today ronmental data to make intelligent, breakthrough for our species, with a completely unknown. Realising this, informed, unbiased decisions about 44 New Publications sustainable and rational management I launched Project Hermes (www. the future of our planet. Global Threats: © William of its habitats and resources, ac- project-hermes.com) this summer, Rodriguez Schepis counting for the erosion and recovery to collect diving-related computer Pierre-Yves Cousteau 45 Who we are of ecosystem services, and em- data from recreational divers and Back cover: © IUCN Mal- ploying our ingenuity to creating net dive centres in order to monitor the positive value. temperature of the ocean at depth, dives Addressing the immense challeng- worldwide, in near real-time. The 48 Where we work es the ocean faces today (climate consolidation of massive databases, change, pollution, overfishing…) is which combine multiple sources of raising stimulating new questions environmental data (such as global about international governance (which satellite observations, field research is non-existent in the high-seas), the and citizen science) represents the 2 © Carl Gustaf Lundin 1 specific targeted action in order to be contained and IUCN Global Marine & Polar Programme odiversity and living resources they harbour. The world mitigated. GMPP is building a cross-sector coalition is at something of a crossroads and some unique op- A focus on three overarching priority areas of actors to reduce the amount of plastic entering the portunities now exist to work towards the introduction ocean, particularly by focusing on upstream solu- of legally-binding conservation measures, notably in the s its name suggests, the IUCN Global Marine tions. Against a background of rapid change in ocean the displacement of oil and gas infrastructure as well as high seas. Building on a 5-year programme of work, and Polar Programme (GMPP) serves as the temperatures, oxygen levels and acidity, GMPP is the rescheduling of potentially harmful seismic surveying IUCN continues to work towards better governance Union’s vehicle for guiding and implementing working with its network of experts to bring the very A to protect critically endangered whales in their summer of seamount systems in the Indian Ocean. Through a projects and activities related to oceans and polar latest science together in peer-reviewed knowledge feeding grounds. multi-partner scientific cruise, IUCN aims to improve regions, as well as applying global solutions that products so that decision makers are made aware of the knowledge of seamount systems and thereby guide ensure ocean health and sustainability. It does so in associated risks as well as the benefits of implement- governance decisions in favour of stronger protection close partnership with IUCN’s network of Regional Global Commons ing nature-based solutions. of these hotspots of biodiversity. Offices in addition to IUCN Commissions and Mem- bers organisations. The Polar Regions and the High Seas (areas beyond na- For more information, please contact James Oliver tional jurisdiction) form the focus of GMPP’s programme Global Threats ([email protected]). GMPP’s mandate has grown and evolved over the years of work on the Global Commons. These areas are sub- to address the emergence of new global threats and to ject to weak governance mechanisms that imperil the bi- New threats to ocean life are emerging and require adapt to the development of new approaches within the marine conservation sphere. It has therefore become necessary to streamline GMPP’s body of work according to three strategic priority areas: Global Coasts, Global Com- mons and Global Threats. This categorisation enables Global Coasts Global Commons Global Threats those outside the Programme to get a better understanding of GMPP’s body of work and for activities within each thematic priority to work more collaboratively and towards a single overarching goal.

Global Coasts

The Global Coasts Programme of IUCN brings together all of IUCN’s coastal activities across all regions under one umbrella. GMPP’s role within this IUCN-wide initiative is to coordinate the network, help develop concepts, design activity frameworks and provide on-the-ground technical support where needed. Current thematic priorities Current thematic priorities Current thematic priorities Coastal regions harbour many of the ocean’s richest • Coastal ecosystem resilience • Design a legally-binding Implementing Agreement for Threats and most productive ecosystems; they are also home • Research & capacity building of local practitioners conservation & sustainable use of marine biodiversity • Ocean warming, ocean acidification, marine plastics, to a wide array of human activities, many of which are • Protect EU Overseas territories beyond national jurisdiction for international ratification deep sea mining & marine invasive species • Enhance performance of marine-based industries in competition with each other and impact the environ- • Advocate a global, coherent, connected & representative • Foster a global network of marine protected areas system of marine protected areas Activities ment. Coastal ecosystems have borne the brunt of the • Promote sustainable aquaculture and fish feed solutions • Enhance the scientific knowledge of seamounts & ridge • Promote of nature-based solutions to the challenges of damaging effects of rapid development but also overfish- ecosystems in the Indian Ocean to stimulate improved climate change, disaster risk reduction & food security ing, destructive fishing practices and the consequences management of them • “Science to governance” policy guidance of climate change, such as ocean acidification. IUCN’s Main projects • Yearly production of cutting-edge knowledge products coastal work has been concentrated on enhancing the Maldives (USAID) Main projects resilience of the most valuable ecosystems so that pre- • Work with resorts & local stakeholders to create & Main projects cious ecosystems and the services they provide are not manage networks of Marine Managed Areas South West Indian Ocean project (FFEM) lost. Its work has centred on undertaking surveys and • Enhance local GIS capacity, reef monitoring & science • Conservation & sustainable exploitation of seamount & Ocean Acidification capacity building, working collaboratively to reduce ocean education to support marine spatial planning & protect hydrothermal vent ecosystems of the South West Indian • Host a high-level scientific committee to deliver latest knowledge, to apply science to resource management stressors, fostering improved governance and facilitating threatened marine species Ocean in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The project issues & provide sound policy advice the implementation of both marine protected areas and seeks to explore regional approaches to ocean govern- EU Overseas (European Union) ance marine managed areas. • A sustainable funding mechanism to support on-the- Marine plastics • Build a cross-sector coalition to seek innovative & ground activities covering ecosystem services valuation; Arctic Conservation The demand for GMPP expertise has led to collaboration species conservation; invasive species control; capacity practical solutions to the problem of marine plastics • Ecosystem-based Approach for robust oil spill response building for improved governance & resilience to climate in projects in all corners of the world but especially in the capacity, a voluntary code of conduct for shippers & Blue carbon change; & designation of protected areas Indian Ocean and in EU Overseas territories where GMPP improved management of the Bering Strait • Scope, facilitate & generate recognition of the role of blue has led the implementation of multi-million dollar projects. Vamizi carbon in countering climate change whilst delivering • Marine research in an Indian Ocean biodiversity hotspot Sargasso Sea Commission ecosystem services of critical importance GMPP has built upon IUCN’s niche as a unique convenor • Supporting fishing communities’ management of a marine • Hosted & partnered by IUCN & pioneering an intergov- • Partner with the French government to maintain the of stakeholders to drive and guide marine-based indus- protected area ernmental mechanism for the Sargasso Sea to keep its ocean’s climate-regulating role & to generate the global trial partners towards stronger environmental perfor- health, productivity & resilience under continual review political will to protect & better manage the oceans mance and monitoring. Successes in this field include

2 3 lized to sustainably manage our coastal ecosystems as part of as climate mitigation options under Oceans and Climate Change many marine resources and their the forest (for mangroves) and/ the UNFCCC. Further debate services. or wetlands categories under the and dialogues are now needed to Land-Use, Land-Use Change analyse the usefulness and oppor- Can we use the oceans and and Forestry (LULUCF) sector. tunities to develop an incentive coasts to help people adapt While the accounting for coastal mechanism for the open ocean to the impacts of climate wetlands has only been recently under the Climate Convention. change? provided, several countries such as Indonesia, Ecuador and the What is IUCN doing to ensure United States are actively en- Yes, coastal ecosystems – including oceans and coasts are part gaged in various efforts to include coral reefs, oyster beds, and kelp of the climate discussions? coastal wetlands in national GHG forests provide security by reducing inventories or as part of other coastal erosion and acting as a IUCN provides scientific and mitigation mechanisms such natural buffer against coastal storms technical advice to governments as REDD+ or NAMAs. Some and wave energy, thus protecting and other NGOs on the impacts technical elements need to be infrastructure and human lives. For of increased GHG emissions in improved, for example, account- example, coastal wetlands in the the atmosphere and oceans and ing for soil carbon. Overall, there U.S. were estimated to provide has created a community of prac- needs to be an expansion of pro- © Carl Gustaf Lundin 23.2 billion USD annually in storm titioners to provide knowledge grammes and projects all around protection services. and guidance on specific issues, the world to stop the ongoing such as ocean acidification. IUCN loss of these systems. Sustainably managed marine also supports governments and fter the hiatus following carbon sequestration and cultur- Can we use the oceans ecosystems can support fisheries other stakeholders to find suitable Other marine systems may not the UNFCCC COP15 in al services (e.g., recreation and and coasts to mitigate the communities and nations adapting solutions for integrating climate be included in national account- ACopenhagen in 2009, leisure, inspiration, and cultural impacts of increased GHG to new fishing areas due to moving change into existing coastal and ing schemes if there is limited the world’s attention, and heritage). These changes will emissions? species. They also help to maintain marine management and resource scientific understanding, if they hope, is once more focused on have major economic impacts for healthy stocks that have the best use plans. are not (solely) under national world leaders to find a legally humans via changes in ocean- Yes. Coastal ecosystems such chance to cope with the impacts of jurisdiction (which makes national binding agreement to limit derived resources and thereby as mangroves, saltmarshes and the “deadly trio” - ocean warming, IUCN also informs international accounting impossible under the greenhouse gas emissions at increase risks to public health, seagrasses need to be conserved acidification and deoxygenation. and national policy development the COP21 in Paris this De- well-being, security and food. and restored as globally vital car- current setup) or if they are not and financing efforts on climate considered long-term stores. They cember. bon sinks. Despite their small size, Do countries consider the change and fosters the integration instead play a vital role as carbon How are the oceans doing as they sequester and store carbon nature-based mitigation and of nature-based solutions around conduits, and their health status oceans and coasts. Ultimately, strong, near-term car- a carbon sink? very efficiently in the sediment adaptation potential of oceans bon emission reductions are vital is better influenced via other inter- below them and thus contribute, and coasts as part of the UN- to keep unavoidable impacts to a national mechanisms. For more information, please The oceans have so far acted as alongside other systems such as FCCC? minimum. However, the oceans – a buffer for atmospheric climate tropical forests and peatlands, to contact Dorothée Herr (dorothee. both coastal and marine eco- change impacts. However, as ex- Currently the management of ma- [email protected]) the overall role of nature in climate Countries can now account for systems – can underpin climate cessive CO from the atmosphere rine ecosystems are not recognized 2 change mitigation. The ongoing the emissions and removals from change mitigation and adaptation is absorbed by the oceans, they destruction and loss of these sys- efforts. are becoming more acidic. This tems only contributes to the effect © IUCN Maldives puts many marine species such of additional human- induced Why are resilient oceans as corals and other shell building GHGs. essential for mitigating and organisms at risk, and with them adapting to climate change? the communities and businesses Other marine ecosystems and that depend on their services as species in the open ocean and Oceans play a critical role in food providers, commercial prod- deep sea play a significant role regulating the climate, providing ucts or for coastal protection. in absorbing, moving and storing food security and sustaining live- carbon. Unlike coastal ecosystems, lihoods. However, the so-called However, the oceans’ function as most marine systems and species “deadly trio” – ocean warming, an effective carbon sink is dimin- do not demonstrate globally rele- acidification and deoxygenation – ished by climate change itself. vant, long-term climate mitigation Only a fraction of 21st century potential and in some cases have resulting from anthropogenic CO2 emissions, is significantly limiting emissions will continue to be jurisdictional challenges making the oceans’ capacity to continue absorbed by the oceans. More the inclusion in national GHG providing vital services for humans specifically, emissions remaining in accounting difficult. on Earth. The “deadly trio” will the atmosphere are projected to alter earth-system-regulating increase by 30% to 69% depending A sick ocean is one that loses processes (e.g., climate, heat on the emission scenario. its capacity to support planetary distribution, weather, water flow, processes. All international and and waste treatment), as well as national policy – from climate to compromise coastal protection, biodiversity – need to be mobi-

4 5 Graph demonstrating the increase in temperature of upper and deep ocean, though the increase in ice, land and atmosphere is moving in smaller increments Ocean Warming © Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis, IPCC Working Group 1 support all of us and how Why we must factor it into climate emission discussions and whether they can be • Emission reductions are sustained in the future. needed to get the ocean back to a better situation. o the average person from the continuing excessive temperatures have increased by What are the “take home” The current level of carbon climate change may be emissions of carbon dioxide and several degrees centigrade over T messages from all this? dioxide in the atmosphere of synonymous with melting other greenhouse gases. the same period. around 400 ppm is already glaciers or an increasing • The ocean really far too high for ecosystems likelihood of heat waves, The 2014 IPCC report1 concluded Predictions are that overall matters and we need to such as coral reefs, and a while politicians and climate that 93% of the climate energy the cascade of chemical and take decisions in light of 2°C-warmed world would be negotiators may be more has actually accumulated in biological changes that this the ‘hidden’ impacts our much worse. consumed by deals related the ocean in the form of ocean helps drive could see coral emissions are having, to keeping land surface warming. Scientists are virtually reefs irreversibly destroyed in such as ocean warming • The conclusion is that if temperature rises to within certain that the upper ocean 50 to 100 years, with marine and acidification; we really care about all our 2°C in the 21st century. But warmed from 1971 through to ecosystems increasingly taken futures, we really need a way there is a danger that by 2010, and it is likely that this over by jellyfish and toxic algal • Impacts driven by to get back to the 320-350 looking at the obvious - and started as far back as the 1870s. blooms. We are already seeing warming and acidification ppm range of carbon dioxide the land - we forget the shifts poleward in species of fish, are already observable on in the atmosphere. To do that ocean. This would be a truly Global average sea surface with other effects on mid-latitude ocean ecosystems and we need to implement a low staggering omission as it temperatures have increased seagrass and bivalves, and species, thus supporting carbon trajectory to emissions is the ocean that ultimately since the beginning of the 20th high-latitude pteropods and krill. the view that dramatic (RCP2.6), as well as actually sustains all of us. Unless we Century, and the science around In addition, ocean warming may cuts in emissions are extracting carbon from the understand, appreciate and this is ‘virtually certain’ since the drive changes in growth, toxicity, needed; atmosphere. embrace the status and role 1950s. The average sea surface and distribution of harmful algal of the global ocean in climate temperature of the Indian, Atlantic blooms that have implications • Emission reductions That’s why waking up to warming change discussions, there is and Pacific Oceans has increased for industries such as coastal published in Science assessed that do not ultimately and factoring in the ocean to a real danger that we will try by 0.65, 0.41 and 0.31°C tourism, aquaculture and human what warming and acidification result in 2°C or ideally even current discussions becomes and achieve climate targets respectively over the period health. may mean for business as usual less warming this century are such a clear imperative. that ultimately, even if met, fail 1950–2009 (very likely). Some in the future (RCP8.5) or if we predicted to have dramatic and us all. more specific areas have seen So why is embracing ocean took a dramatic shift towards a widespread impacts on ocean For more information, please rises much greater than this, such warming and other stressors lower carbon global economy species, ecosystems and services contact Dan Laffoley (danlaffoley@ What is clear from science is as in the Baltic and parts of the right now in climate negotiations (RCP2.6)2. The study showed on which we all depend; btinternet.com) or John Baxter that the ocean has been our ally Mediterranean where sea surface so important? A recent study that services such as coastal ([email protected]). through the years. In recent protection and capture fisheries years, scientists have pointed are already affected by ocean to the fact that it has staved warming and acidification. Warming in the Baltic Sea off more rapid climate change impacts by absorbing just over The risks not only substantially The Baltic Sea is a microcosm for the effects of warming on the global a quarter of our carbon dioxide increase with more emissions, oceans. It has shown to be warming alarmingly rapidly since the first data emissions annually. We also but if a low carbon trajectory was analysed in 1980. The most dramatic data is of a 1.5ºC increase now know that it has been is not achieved by decisions at between 1871 and 2011 during the spring seasons. absorbing significant amounts COP21 then all marine ecosystem of heat: resulting in ocean Predictions of different emissions scenarios suggest that ice thickness in services studied are put at high warming. the Baltic Sea will continue to decrease. This warming has consequences or very high risk. This is not just for the ecosystem structure within the Baltic Sea: in particular, we may a problem of ocean warming and Ocean warming is now one expect species movement and a decrease in the level of oxygen in the acidification, as it is exacerbated of the biggest challenges water. These changes would have a knock-on effect on other parts of the by continuing human impacts alongside ocean acidification. It delicate ecosystem. such as over-exploitation of living has profound implications not resources, pollution, and habitat just for ecosystems but also for Another potential consequence is the run-off of nutrients, leading to destruction. The longer we wait to communities and economics, eutrophication. The warming increases the rate of decomposition of the significantly reduce emissions the given linkages to climate issues algae in the Baltic Sea, thereby compounding the problem. Moreover, fewer are the options available to such as increased frequency warming could influence the precipitation and run-off of freshwater from adapt, protect and repair, let alone rivers, changing the salinity of seawater and making it difficult for species of severe weather events and the escalating costs associated to adapt. It is not only the Baltic that is facing these issues: other enclosed sea-level rise. Ocean warming with making that happen. This seas, like the Mediterranean, are also experiencing fast warming – push- is the price we are now paying in turn will have a knock-on ing ecosystem species and processes towards their limits. for the fact that the ocean effect on the ocean services that has been shielding us from The recently released Ocean Health Index for 2015 announced that the more dramatic and faster global ocean score was 70 out of 100. The areas around the Baltic Sea climate change impacts that Infographic demonstrating the impact of ocean acidification on marine life 2 J.-P. Gattuso et al., Science 349, were categorised between 50 and 75, suggesting that adaptation is © Gattuso et al 2015 would otherwise have resulted aac4722 (2015). DOI: 10.1126/science. needed to mitigate this problem, starting with efforts to restrict emissions aac4722 1 http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1/ of greenhouse gases. 6 7 sharing between the ocean- other relevant Acting on Ocean Acidification: observing communities, either stakeholders through data sharing or improved to widen the data management models, would support base Investing for the future help to increase our knowledge and increase the on the impacts of ocean effectiveness acidification on human well-being of any plan to and ecosystems, and help bring combat ocean together science and policy. acidification. Expanding the knowledge base helps policy makers create up-to- Political date plans that reflect the action leadership: needed to slow this problem. Finally, strong In particular, the Global Ocean political will is Acidification Observing Network needed to inspire (GOA-ON), established in 2013, global action is a tool that provides context to and encourage the situation of ocean acidification cooperation and aims to escalate information between sharing to better create solutions. countries. What is clear Generating risk awareness: is that ocean A risk-aware public is one acidification that understands how ocean is a problem acidification will affect their own that touches all local community. Understanding nations – even the impacts will likely create a land-locked ones public that puts pressure on their – that contribute © Carl Gustaf Lundin © Carl Gustaf Lundin policy-makers to make effective to the release of change, as well as understands carbon dioxide improving prospects by planning how to adapt and manage the into the atmosphere. This issue ahead”, authored by Dan Laffoley impacts of ocean acidification. can therefore only be effectively cean acidification is of calcifying organisms like coral and that need to be achieved and John Baxter. The report can An essential part of this, managed on a scale that also a growing problem reefs, pteropods and shellfish within the next ten years. be found online at https://www. according to the report, is involves problem-solving for other within the marine to produce calcium carbonate iaea.org/ocean-acidification/act3/ O decoding complex scientific ocean stressors, as previously environment. Though the shells or skeletons, leaving these Observing and forecasting new%20RUG%20docs/aooa. information into easily digestible noted, such as eutrophication ocean as a natural carbon sink organisms vulnerable to other systems: Investing in observing web.pdf information for the public. and deoxygenation. This problem has helped shield us from the stressors. The longer this situation strategies that cover a wide range requires dedicated leadership, full impact of increased carbon continues unregulated, the worse of areas and species, especially For more information, Scientific coordination and investment and information to dioxide in the atmosphere, the the likely consequences will be. where ocean acidification please contact Dan Laffoley cooperation: The report create concrete changes for the consequences for the ocean The effects are already being felt threatens to compromise ([email protected]) recommends expanding the zone future. are dire. in places such as the Oregon and livelihoods, will help policy or John Baxter (j.baxter4@ of cooperation to involve seafood Washington coasts of the USA, makers to target responses more btinternet.com). producers, mariners, coastal This article draws from the report The process of ocean acidification where acidification has contributed effectively. Additionally, investing planners, governments, and any “Acting on Ocean Acidification: occurs when carbon dioxide to a high mortality rate of oyster in better forecasting infrastructure

(CO2) is released into the larvae, threatening an industry will help scientists to stay a step atmosphere by man-made worth approximately $270 million ahead of developments in ocean processes such as fossil fuel annually for the coastal economy. acidification. Ocean Acidification in Numbers combustion and deforestation. Excess CO is absorbed into How do we mitigate this problem? Assessing impacts on coastal 2 4 The number in kg of CO2 per day on average that is taken up by the ocean from sea water and forms carbonic The most effective solution to zones: With the help of the each person’s activities acid, which then results in a limit further ocean acidification aforementioned forecasting change in pH that disrupts the is to reduce the release of future systems, priority will be given 30 Percentage increase in acidity (as concentration of H+ ions) caused by CO2 pol- carefully balanced chemistry of CO2 into the atmosphere, namely to coastal zones where ocean the ocean, and compounds the through the commitments of acidification is likely to elevate risk lution since the Industrial Revolution impacts of other ocean stressors countries to achieve overall and/or cause impacts, where a like warming, overfishing and national or regional reduction more immediate policy response is 400 The level of CO2 in the atmosphere in May 2015 measured in parts per million pollution. Research has already targets. The recently published required. by the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii demonstrated the potential report ‘Acting on Ocean impacts of ocean acidification, Acidification’ sets out seven key Linkages to human and which range from reduced survival recommendations for ocean ecosystem health and well- 936 The level of CO2 projected to be in the atmosphere by 2100 on a “busi- to slowed growth and decline acidification mitigation alongside being: Another important tool ness-as-usual” scenario (i.e. RCP 8.5) of marine species. Notably, and concrete climate targets that to combat ocean acidification is acidification hampers the ability may arise from COP21 in Paris, research. Improved information

8 9 Collecting plastic in the Azores, © Joao Sousa Race for Water Azores and the Bermudas) and in back to Bordeaux. Plastic pollution the Pacific (Easter Island, Hawaii, IUCN supported the Race for Water Guam and Palau). The teams Foundation by studying the negative In March 2015, the Race for Water worked in collaboration with local environmental, social and economic Continuing the fight against a pervasive problem Foundation launched a 300-day associations to complete an over- impacts of plastic litter in the oceans scientific voyage to explore and view of the ways waste is managed and by providing logistic support analyze the world’s five trash vor- on-site and to better understand where it was needed. tices. Trash vortices are immense the impact of this pollution on local zones where concentrations of populations. A pilot project to transform waste is trash are particularly high because planned for 2016. Pilot projects in of marine currents. Locating and While heading to the Indian Ocean the form of cooperatives will be es- mapping these vortices is extremely for stopovers on Chagos (UK) and tablished in 2016 following an initial difficult. The Race for Water Odys- Rodrigues (Mauritius), the vessel phase in 2015 that identified and sey (R4WO) team relied on spec- capsized due to a gush of wind assessed solutions. The objective is imen collection (NOAA protocol) during night sailing. The Odyssey to give plastic a value through an in- and drones (to map shorelines and continued without the boat, travel- novative technology that transforms identify macro debris) to draw a first ling to all intended spots while still plastic into energy. The result will global report on marine litter with collecting plastic samples from the be a virtuous circular economy that comparative data in all of the trash sites. will give new life to old matter. This Microplastics are becoming a pervasive problem in the marine environment. They can enter the marine environ- vortices. approach, based on social entrepre- ment in different ways: either through the breakdown of larger plastic items through exposure and embrittlement, The crew made 11 scientific stops The expedition aimed to raise neurship, will create jobs, particu- or through accidental introduction, for example of plastic resin pellets via shipping spillages. These microplastics (17 in total) and focused on islands interest in the marine litter issue larly for the underprivileged. The can pose a problem by bioaccumulating up the food chain, potentially affecting human health through our own located near the gyres, because among the public, the authorities process of energy production will consumption of fish, but they also absorb harmful chemicals like Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and therefore they serve as natural barriers and and younger generations. After also have substantial environmental can bear high levels of toxicity. The IUCN has been working on this problem through a number of projects. retain the debris that the currents Bordeaux, New York, Valparaiso, benefits by significantly reducing carry. Hawaii, Tokyo and Shanghai, the ex- plastic pollution. The successful pi- pedition will still stop in Cape Town lot cooperatives will then be replicat- R4WO mapped and collected data and Rio de Janeiro before coming ed to multiply their positive impact. Azores Plastic Project from beaches in the Atlantic (the The IUCN has been working on the issue of mi- Is the Mediterranean a plastic croplastics since 2011. A recent report, entitled Close the Plastic Tap “Plastic Debris in the Ocean: The Character- gyre? ization of Marine Plastics and their Environ- As evidenced by recent scientific research, there is an urgent need to increase public awareness about the ad- mental Impacts” outlined the current status of The Mediterranean basin receives waters from dense- verse effects of plastic pollution on marine organisms, to foster a sense of individual responsibility and to encour- marine plastics, sampling and data collection ly populated river catchments (Nile, Rhone, Ebro and age government action and private voluntary initiatives for a reduction of the most severe impacts. techniques, the impacts of these plastics on Po), with a water residence time of up to a century. It the marine environment, existing legislation on is connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait Last year, IUCN received a grant from the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation to take further action on this marine plastics as well as making a series of of Gibraltar in the west, to the Sea of Marmara and the problem. Following on from the recent analysis report “Plastic Debris in the Ocean”, IUCN established a stake- recommendations to manage this problem. Black Sea, in the east. The Suez Canal connects it to the Red Sea. holder platform and coalition of actors from the private sector, governments and NGOs to discuss and develop best practice solutions to address plastic and microplastic marine pollution. Now, IUCN seeks to get a clearer picture of microplastics in the Azores, an autonomous While the less salty water from the North Atlantic Ocean The kick-off meeting was held in Monaco in November 2015, and helped to create an open discussion on solu- region off the coast of Portugal. With financial inflows into the Mediterranean, the salty bottom layer tions for this problem in the marine environment. support from the Gallifrey Foundation, IUCN outflows into the Atlantic Ocean. Since evaporation from has expanded research in this region, identify- the warm weather in the region greatly exceeds precipi- For more information, please contact Joao Sousa ([email protected]). ing the best scientists to establish a baseline tation and river runoff into the Mediterranean Sea, there on marine litter in the Azores with two research is an imbalance in the movement of water. This means grants. Further development and collaboration that the plastic input, coupled with limited export of will include research counterparts to study how water to the Atlantic Ocean, results in the accumulation birds, fish and turtles are impacted by the rising of plastics in the Mediterranean. level of microplastics in this region. The average density of plastic in the Mediterranean Sea, Workshops help to complement the research as well as its frequency of occurrence, are comparable done in the field to find achievable targets to to the accumulation zones described for the five plastic reduce marine pollution. A recent workshop last ocean gyres, though the dispersion effect observed in June in Azores entitled “Towards a Solution for all the 5 gyres in the open oceans has not been similarly Marine Litter” involved governments, recycling observed in the Mediterranean. industries, and representatives from academia to host an open discussion about future solu- This suggests that the cumulative effects of plastic in the tions on this problem. Mediterranean Sea will build up exponentially if nothing is done to remedy the situation.

10 © Christophe Launay / Race for Water 11 Blue Solutions Sharing lessons learned on marine protection Next Steps on Blue Carbon Mitigating climate change by restoring coastal marine ecosystems

s part of the Blue Car- regard; however, there is a need ensure the long-term protection of bon Initiative and the to improve the accounting for soil these ecosystems. The project is AGEF Blue Forests pro- carbon in coastal ecosystems being executed by United Nations ject, IUCN and Conservation so as to value the real potential Environment Programme (UNEP), International Ecuador con- of mangroves in result-based and implemented by GRID-Aren- vened an international policy mechanisms. Special attention dal. IUCN is one of the several workshop on Blue Carbon (BC) was given to the formulation project partners and leading the © Carl Gustaf Lundin in Guayaquil, Ecuador in June. and review of policies in order to policy development process. optimize the multiple benefits of Around 50 participants from BC activities. Participants sought The Blue Carbon Initiative (BCI) arine and coastal biodi- gathered much attention. The Con- plained each project’s success story. around the world joined the dis- synergies between mitigation and is the first integrated programme versity and ecosystems gress called for a “fresh global under- In a participatory exercise, the partic- cussion in Guayaquil and shared adaptation approaches as a key with a comprehensive and coordi- Mare fundamental to human standing and respect for the ocean’s ipants were then asked to re-use and lessons learned from national- step for supporting BC implemen- nated global agenda focused on well-being. They provide valuable role in sustaining human life,” with a adapt those building blocks to find and project-level implementation tation and financing. mitigating climate change through services such as food, medicine, strong emphasis on the increase of solutions to new challenges. efforts on Blue Carbon. There was the conservation and restoration climate regulation and coastal no-take marine protected areas, and a focus on the evaluation of the Although many advances have of coastal marine ecosystems. protection, as well as recreation- a commitment to creating a global The Regional Forum was supported applicability and specific relevance been made in the last few years, al and spiritual benefits. Despite network of marine protected areas by the Mexican Government’s Envi- of the range of existing, and there are still many challenges as- A recent workshop of the Inter- their global significance, these that will connect ecosystems from the ronment Ministry (SEMARNAT) and potentially new, financing mech- sociated with unlocking the values national Blue Carbon Scientific ecosystems are now more than shorelines to the high seas, allowing Protected Area agency (CONANP). It anisms as tools for supporting of coastal carbon and ecosystem Working Group (Sept 2015, Tan- ever at risk of being degraded or marine life to recover and thrive. was organised in collaboration with coastal blue carbon conservation services and converting them into zania) further deepened the scien- even lost. the Convention of Biological Diversi- and restoration. These include options for improved ecosystem tific and technical understanding In April 2015, the Blue Solutions Ini- ty (CBD) and its Sustainable Ocean incentive mechanisms like NAMAs management revenue. By com- of carbon in coastal ecosystems, To help ensure the conservation and tiative convened its second Regional Initiative (SOI). (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation bining research, policy develop- debated the best means to sustainable use of marine and coastal Forum on Solu- Actions) or national initiatives such ment, technical advice and prac- overcome scientific challenges (in- resources, the Blue Solutions Initiative tions for Oceans, as Ecuador’s Socio Manglar or tical tools, as well as small-scale cluding monitoring) and fostered was launched as a collaborative pro- Coasts and Human CALL FOR BLUE SOLUTIONS Debt-for-Nature Swaps. interventions (SSIs), the four-year partnerships with regional experts. ject funded by the German Ministry for Well-Being. Held in GEF “Blue Forests” project aims Environment (BMUB) and implement- Cancùn, Mexico, Inserting mangroves into REDD+ to demonstrate how incorporat- For more information,please ed by GIZ and its partners, including the forum wel- Dear friends of the coastal and marine world, national programs was one of ing carbon and other ecosystem contact Dorothée Herr (dorothee. IUCN, UNEP and GRID-Arendal. The comed more than the potential solutions discussed. services values into local and [email protected]). Global Marine and Polar Programme 110 participants We would like to invite you to share “blue solutions” to be presented at the Regional Forum on Solutions for Indonesia has already advanced national financial markets and (GMPP) is supporting the IUCN Global from Latin Amer- with important steps in this coastal management plans can Protected Areas Programme by im- ica and the wider Oceans, Coasts and Human Wellbeing in Africa organ- plementing IUCN’s component of this Caribbean Region. ized by the Blue Solutions Initiative. The Forum will take initiative. Over the course of place in Zanzibar, Tanzania in early June 2016. three days, inspir- Blue Solutions highlighted some best ing blue solutions Blue Solutions are successfully implemented initiatives, practices at the IUCN World Parks were presented projects, processes, methods or tools, related to marine Congress Ocean+ Pavilion in Sydney and discussed. and coastal planning, management and governance for (November 2014). Solution providers Presentations on sustainable development. They can fall into one of the from the world over were invited to marine spatial Blue Solutions Initiative’s focal areas (marine and coast- share lessons learned in the man- planning, sustaina- al spatial planning and management, marine protected agement of marine protected areas. ble finance, climate areas, ecosystem services, climate change adaptation These solutions were selected based change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable finance), or address related on their measurable impact, their abil- and disaster risk issues such as sustainable fisheries, tourism, marine litter, ity to be replicated, and their demon- reduction focused educational or capacity development measures, etc. strated ability to improve livelihoods. on what worked, why and how. The To submit a solution, you can directly fill in the Blue Despite the ocean being the blue participants learned Solutions template, in either English or French, available heart of the planet, marine protec- about the various on the Blue Solutions website (http://bluesolutions.info/ tion has lagged behind conservation elements, referred africaforum/), or contact us. on land. Thus, at the WPC, marine to as building protection was a “visible” topic that blocks, which ex- If submitted by 30th November, your Blue Solution will be © IUCN/ Mar Otero considered for presentation at the Regional Forum. 12 13 © Isabel da Silva © Isabel Silva Community based conservation in Challenges in setting Benefits of the CS of fisheries. Good numbers of herbi- Vamizi Island, Mozambique up the CS vores are a sign of reef resilience to If you want to go far, go together One of the immediate benefits of climate change. Getting a community that has creating the CS was the empow- In the context of MPAs, protection been relying on fisheries for erment of the local communities, ore and more, Marine Pro- it has many measurable benefits. sustainability of their resources, and recovery of herbivorous fishes is centuries to give up a large allowing them to manage their own tected Areas (MPAs) have the resident fishermen turned to of major importance to the conser- M area of fishing grounds can be fishing grounds and have a signif- been established to preserve and In the early stages of the Vamizi the Vamizi Island Conservation vation and recovery of coral cover a challenging task. However, icant impact on the sustainability protect marine environments. Conservation Project, an aware- Project for support in regain- and health. Another important find- because the initiative to create and conservation of such important Since 1990, the number of MPAs ness of the concept of sustaina- ing control over access to their ing is that despite the existence of the protected area came from resources. They are in charge of has increased by 58%, with a bility amongst resident fishermen marine resources. In 2003, the what is called “fishing the line” (when the local community themselves, handing out fishing licences and 48% increase in the extent of was evident, as they understood government of Mozambique fishermen fish right on top of the and because they are the ones in educating the fishermen on protect- existing MPAs (Silva et al 2015). that fisheries could sustain them introduced legislation to create border of the sanctuary), the spillo- charge of managing and protected species and banned fishing gear, The Vamizi Community Sanctuary if they only extracted what they Community Councils for Fisheries ver effect was detected in a distance ing it, better results are seen than which can have a direct impact on (CS) is located on the western needed for subsistence. The (Concelhos Comuntários de Pes- over 1km from the border, which in other places. the way the resources are used and side of the Vamizi Island, covering same could not be said of the ca – CCPs) as an attempt to de- contrasts with experiences in other However, the news of the in- perceived. an area of about 10,000 hectares migrant fishermen, who did not centralise authority and empower areas with similar closures, where creasing amount of fish seen in of reefs, mangroves, sand flats consider this issue as relevant for local communities to manage the spillover effect can be traced to the waters inside and surround- Fish stocks and community struc- and deeper waters, and extend- their livelihoods. With the in- their marine resources. Under this only 200-300m instead (Silva et al ing the community sanctuary ture of the reefs around Vamizi have ing 3 miles out to sea. It is one of creased immigration on the island framework, a CCP was created 2015). Moreover, the study seems to soon spread to nearby villages, been monitored since 2004, 3 years the most successful examples of and the introduction of unsustain- in Vamizi that same year. One of show that a homogeneous habitat other provinces and even Tan- before the creation of the CS, which a community-managed protected able fishing methods, a significant their first initiatives was to create around the reserve can enhance zania, which has led to greater has allowed us to measure the direct area in East Africa – despite hav- decline in fish catch was noticed. a Community Sanctuary (CS) spillover, which highlights the need numbers of migrant fishermen benefits of the protected area over ing existed for less than 10 years, Concerned about the future and that would allow for fish stocks to to protect the reef as a whole in seen on the island in recent time. A recently-published paper order to allow for this recovery to years. These fishermen are hard- by Silva et al (2015) has shown continue and reach areas further er to manage, as they have no the existence of a significant and from the border of the CS. real investment in the sustainabil- consistent effect on the abundance ity of the marine resources they and distribution of reef fishes of the Most of the controversy surround- are removing from the water, and Vamizi CS. Six years after its es- ing MPAs concerns the benefits to because they bring improved and tablishment, both herbivorous and fisheries, and to local communities, more destructive fishing gear. A piscivorous fish are more abundant who rely so deeply on them. Vam- lot of work is done to ensure that inside the reserve than outside, izi seems to be a good example as the migrant fishermen arrive where no difference existed before of a community managed Marine on the island, they are informed the closure. Protected Area that has shown the of the sanctuary and the rules re- potential to benefit both the con- lated to fishing around the island. Additionally, spillover effects were recover and in time ensure the sustainability of such important resources, allowing the local communities to use them as detected for herbivorous fish, servation of one of the most pristine reefs in the world, and those same they had done for centuries. The CS of Vamizi was officially declared in October 2006 as a no fishing-zone, in collabora- The sound conservation and meaning the abundance of these communities whose livelihoods tion with the Institute for Small Scale Fisheries (IDPPE), the district authorities and the Vamizi Conservation Project. The management of an area and the species has increased outside of depend on it. sanctuary is managed by the CCP in collaboration with the local communities, and with logistical and financial support sustainable use of resources the sanctuary. Most importantly, fish from the Conservation Project. requires more than just scientific abundance outside the sanctuary For more information, please contact analysis. The success of such has not decreased in relation to Joana Trindade (joana.trindade@ Flora and Fauna inside the CS management will depend of the its abundance prior to the reserve The Vamizi Community Sanctuary is composed of a group of vamizi.com). level of involvement and empow- establishment, despite the pressure different ecosystems - from coral reefs to sand flats and man- erment of local communities in all grove areas. The reefs are composed of about 180 species areas, from data collection to of reef-building coral (identified to date), which provide homes decision making and monitoring. and feeding grounds to over 300 species of fish, humpback whales, 8 species of dolphins, as well as some endangered species like green and hawksbill turtles. There are also 8 species of mangroves, which provide important nursing areas to several species of fish.

Vamizi Island © IUCN 14 15 The Maldives A hotspot of biodiversity under the threat of a changing climate

n exciting scientific Given its location and expedition was recently geomorphology, the Aundertaken in the Mal- Chagos-Laccadive Ridge dives, a globally unique biodi- represents a globally versity hotspot. Dr. Ameer Ab- unique biogeographic dulla introduces the research province (see Figure expedition and some of the 2). This has raised an work that was undertaken. intense scientific interest in the Maldives over the past centuries, with a We want to share with you a number of research mis- unique adventure that was under- sions launched to study taken this year in the Maldives; an the archipelago. The exciting collaboration with a num- history of scientific expe- ber of national and international ditions can be tracked research partners to study the down to Robert Moresby fauna of the Atolls of the Maldives. (1835) who, after navi- The aim of this expedition was to gating and travelling the lead a multi-disciplinary research Red Sea with the East team to one of the most scientif- India Company, ventured ically exciting areas of the world; into the Indian Ocean in the Laccadives-Maldives-Chagos the 1820s and 1830s to Ridge in the geographical centre create a path through Figure 3. The maps present the itinerary of the 2015 expedition which surveyed 8 atolls over a 5-week period. The expe- of the Indian Ocean (see Figure the Maldives Archipelago Figure 1. The Ninety East Ridge can be seen dition collected data from 44 islands representing community, resort, and uninhabited islands. roughly in the centre of this image while the 1). The Ridge is also known as allowing steam vessels Chagos-Laccadive Ridge is on the upper left. the Chagos-Laccadive Plateau heading from Europe provide a baseline on the status have been surveyed to inves- ologies and preliminary results. and comprises a 2,550 km long to South and East Asia of coral reefs, their characteris- tigate habitat conditions and Gabriel Grimsditch elaborates and 200 km wide set of features to have a safe passage The aim of the 2015 expedition tics and health, and to identify composition, and fish commu- on the definition of resilience in formed by the Reunion Hotspot through the extensive system of jointly organized by the Maldives the presence of different mor- nity structures and productivity the context of coral reef ecosys- 60-45 million years ago. coral reefs, islands, and sandbars. Marine Research Center, the phological groups i.e. branching, in Maldivian atolls (see Figure tems, and tells us about the work University of Queensland, Catlin plating, foliose species, and 3). As part of the survey, the being done undertaken by IUCN Seaview Survey and IUCN was to functional types. Information col- team collected information on and partners in improving coral lected also refers to interactions coral populations, diseases reef resilience in the Maldives. between corals and algae, fish and bleaching, bottom dwelling Ulrike Siebeck presents the role abundance and diversity, and the communities and their composi- of fish populations on the reef relationships among reefs across tion, fish and protist populations and how to survey coral reef fish varying gradients of human influ- – each giving information on communities using classical and ence (low vs. high) and develop- a different aspect of coral reef novel techniques. Michael Sweet ment (inhabited vs. uninhabited) health. In addition to the lead explains what exactly happens between and within atolls. institutions, the expedition was when corals bleach. Last but not joined by marine scientists from least Ahmed Basheer provides The results of the 2015 expedi- the Scripps Institute of Ocean- an inspiring account about the tion will be used to support ma- ography, CRIOBE, the French first time he was exposed to marine management efforts in the Natural History Museum, and rine science and how he quickly Maldives and to assess the risks the University of Fribourg and switched to being an avid citizen that coral reef ecosystems are generously funded by the Catlin scientist on his way to becoming facing from increasing anthropo- Seaview Survey and the United a marine conservation biologist. genic influences and a changing States Agency for International climate. The overarching goal is Development. to provide wide-ranging expertise For more information, please and insights into the potential In the following articles, some contact Ameer Abdulla (ameer. drivers of coral reef decline as members of the research team [email protected]). Figure 2. The sixty-two nearshore and continental biogeographic provinces of the world according to the MEOW classification related to human activities in the tells us about the Maldives 2015 (Spalding et al. 2007, map adapted from Abdulla et al. 2013). The Chagos-Maldives-Laccadive archipelago is labeled 22 and Maldives. To this end, eight atolls expedition’s research, method- represents a globally unique biogeographic province that has attracted scientific interest since the 1800s.

16 17 Resilience and Coral Reefs

esilience is a powerful short, acute bursts of mortality, in consolidating the substrate and word. It encapsulates for example, bleaching events or making it firm enough for corals Rthat quality that allows hurricanes; while other pressures to settle and grow. This is one us to bounce back from diffi- such as overfishing, nutrients component of resilience. cult times, to survive, and to overload or pollution tend to be thrive. Without resilience, we more long-term chronic causes of Understanding the ecology of the would succumb to our injuries mortality that erode the resilience reef is nevertheless only half of and struggle to carry on. But a of a coral reef over time. Like all the story. It is equally important to resilient individual, or a resil- systems, coral reefs can bounce understand how humans inter- ient society, can overcome the back from the acute, sharp pres- act with the reef – fishing habits; challenges thrown at them. sures if they are in a healthy state. where and how many nutrients If a coral reef is free from nutrient enter the water; tourism activities; A definition of resilience is often overload and overfishing, and has which islands are being reclaimed quoted as ‘the ability of biological healthy populations of fish with and so on. In addition, under- or social systems to overcome good water quality, the chances standing how temperatures are pressures and stresses by main- that it can recover from a bleach- changing in the water around the taining key functions through ing event are higher. Managing the reef, and how they have caused resisting or adapting to change’. chronic long-term stresses can bleaching events in the past and This rather dry definition touches give the coral reef a better chance potentially in the future is also key upon some important concepts: of long-term survival. to understanding where the most pressures and stresses, key func- vulnerable areas are. Together, the tions, change, and adaptation – all In the case of the Maldives, the ecology, the human impacts and important in understanding how survival of coral reefs is key to the physical environment can tell we can maintain the resilience of the survival of the nation. IUCN is us a story about which parts of the very ecosystems upon which therefore working with local com- the coral reef we need to be wor- we depend for our own survival. munities, the government and the ried about and which we must pay private sector to understand what most attention to. Mapping these Coral reefs are resilient yet delicate factors are driving coral reef re- factors can allow us to identify systems. They have persisted silience and degradation in North vulnerable areas, and to develop and thrived for millions of years, Ari – the Project REGENERATE interventions to protect them. creating structures large enough demonstration atoll – and how Activities in certain crucial parts of to be observed from outer space, to address them. Coral reefs are the reef could then be managed and yet their basic component is complex systems, so this involves to reduce pressure and allow for the humble coral polyp. They have gaining an understanding of many recovery. survived changes in climate and interacting components. sea level in the past; but today Scientific ecological surveys We know that the coral reef sys- they are facing one of their great- capture information about coral tem is not a static environment: est challenges – the ‘anthropo- communities, fish populations it is ever-changing. By identifying cene’; an environment dominated and substrate dynamics. We can and monitoring key functions and by human activity. learn how different components key threats, we can devise plans of the reef are linked, i.e. how the and management interventions to Since 1950, 19% of the world’s functionally important herbivorous give it the best chance to adapt coral reefs have effectively been fish or coralline algae can help to to changes and remain healthy for lost due to bleaching events, create suitable conditions for coral the benefit of all. destructive fishing, overfishing, growth. Herbivores such as the nutrient and sediment overload, parrotfish and surgeonfish are key For more information, please con- pollution, coastal development in keeping algal growth down and tact Gabriel Grimsditch (gabriel. and increased hurricane activi- therefore giving space for corals to [email protected]). ty. Some of these pressures are grow, and coralline algae are key 18 19 Assessing Maldivian Fish Populations Coral bleaching: a worrying phenomenon

hat exactly do we chances are that the coral will been categorised as the ‘first’ t seems hard to believe with IUCN as well as the Mal- We will then be able to com- mean when we say a be fine as long as the stressors line of defence for corals. This that we counted a total dives Marine Research Centre bine data collected by all XL Wcoral is bleached? in the environment are removed, is because the mucus acts as a Iof 22,668 fish belonging (MRC). We learned that the Catlin Seaview Survey teams to Most corals, which build up allowing the coral to become host to a community of microbes, to 224 species during our local reef fisheries mostly target create a comprehensive picture the reefs we know and love, healthy once again. However, the including potentially beneficial expedition to the Maldives. groupers as well as small fish, of the present condition of Mal- have a symbiotic relationship corals cannot help themselves bacteria that can improve the We visited 20 sites, swam 6 such as some triggerfish and divian reefs along this gradient with microscopic algae. The to get over this stressed state. health of the coral. However, km (defying almost all cur- fusiliers, which are used as bait of human influences. Ulti- algae get energy from the sun Furthermore, when the corals mucus is expensive as far as pro- rents) and deployed 5 km of fish for the tuna fishery. We mately, we hope that through (like most plants) and share are in this bleached state, they ducing it is concerned, and the transect tape as part of Leg certainly noticed the general working with MRC and IUCN, their energy with the coral. have to rely on feeding (i.e. using corals often struggle to replenish A of the expedition. lack of large groupers at our our data will contribute to the their tentacles to acquire the tiny their stores, making them vulner- survey sites and it remains to planning and improvement of Interestingly, unlike most or- particles (plankton) floating in the able to disease. Our mission was to assess fish be determined whether baitfish local conservation efforts to ganisms, corals and their algal water column). diversity, abundance and bio- numbers are also diminished preserve these beautiful reefs counterpart live on the edge of It is important to keep an eye out mass in the Maldives, based on in more heavily targeted areas for the future. their tolerance with regard to There are other impacts to coral for coral bleaching by monitoring traditional belt transect survey and/or over time. We visited thermal temperatures. Therefore, bleaching. For example, as the your reef and let us know when techniques. At each site, we several MRC long-term mon- Dr Ulrike Siebeck any fluctuations in this usually corals have lost their algae you see sick corals. At the time marked the area we assessed itoring sites and plan to work Senior Research Fellow, stable environment will lead to partner in the bleaching process, of writing, throughout the world, with transect tapes so that with the MRC to compare our University Of Queensland, XL the coral becoming stressed,of- they no longer receive solar corals are bleaching due to the the camera survey team could data with those collected in the Catlin Seaview Survey. ten resulting in bleaching. Simply energy. Growth is significantly increases in sea surface tem- swim over the exact same past. put, corals bleach when they lose reduced, reproduction is put on perature brought about by the area. Results of our underwater their symbiotic algae. Corals have hold and the coral is more vulner- phenomenon known as El Niño. measurements will be com- While the field trip is com- been shown to bleach due to able to attack from opportunistic This could be the largest bleach- pared with fish data extracted pleted, more exciting work increase in sea surface temper- pathogens. ing event witnessed since 1998 from our images. We hope to lies ahead of us. Analysis of ature (SST), decrease in SST, in- and is worrying for reefs on a help establish the XL Catlin our data will show if there is crease in sedimentation, increase To defend themselves, the corals global scale. Seaview Survey as a a difference between sites in nutrients or even the presence have two main strategies: their novel and fast way of conduct- heavily influenced by humans of specific bacteria, as some stinging cells (usually used to ing fish surveys. (land reclamation, population researchers have proposed. catch prey but that can also give Dr. Michael Sweet size, known fishing practices, a nasty sting), and their surface Lecturer in Invertebrate Biology During our time in the field, we etc.) and sites that are more During a bleaching event, the mucus layer, initially produced University of Derby. had the opportunity to work removed from such influences. colony is in a stressed state and when corals are bleached. This needs a little time to recover. The surface mucus layer has often

20 21 A Maldivian marine scientist in the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel making Whale protection during offshore oil and gas mapping in Sakhalin

n the summer of 2015, IUCN Seismic surveys - in order to be to the potential injury zone. seconded an Independent conducted in an environmentally itizen science is scien- portunity to be a part of the IUCN expedition, I was able to identify IObserver to follow the responsible manner - require The full report of the Independent tific research conducted Coral Reef Research Expedition types as well as many species implementation of monitoring careful design and special meas- Observer on the implementation Cby non-professional in North Ari Atoll as a Citizen and sub-species of corals. I and mitigation measures dur- ures to protect marine mammals of the company’s monitoring scientists. This is a novel way Scientist. learned about coral diseases and ing a seismic survey that had such as whales, which rely on and mitigation plan will be made to engage concerned citizens relationships along with predation just begun close to the main sound for communication. Expo- public on the WGWAP website and interested stakeholders As a Citizen Scientist, we assisted on corals. Our expedition focused western gray whale feeding sure to loud noise from seismic (www.iucn.org/wgwap). The in the research in their com- the scientists in collecting data. on the differences between reefs area near Sakhalin Island, on surveys can cause direct physical report will assist the WGWAP and munity. Here, Ahmed Basheer Each day consisted of three dives of inhabited, uninhabited and the Russian coast, just north damage to an animal that is too the company in evaluating the ef- describes his experience at three different locations around resort islands. of Japan. near the source, as well as stress fectiveness of the mitigation effort working as a citizen scientist each island. Each of us was and behaviour changes that and may provide useful insights in the Maldives. assigned a group of organisms to Throughout the expedition, the Grigory Tsidulko was present in could affect foraging, resting and and recommendations for future study. My colleague Mahid and I scientists were more than happy the field and permitted to observe nursing. surveys. I have always been a keen en- mainly assisted in data collection to share their vast knowledge in the seismic survey, a technique vironmentalist, and my passion of the benthic substrate (corals, different areas of their expertise used for assessing and mapping In the summer of 2015 at Sakha- A similar arrangement for in- intensified with my first dive into algae, sponges, etc.) on the reef and provided in-depth explana- oil and gas deposits. His remit lin, special measures were put dependent observation of the the ocean. With each new dive crest according to the guidelines tions to the many questions we was developed in close collabo- in place by Sakhalin Energy to company’s seismic survey was I wanted to delve further into of the National Coral Reef Moni- had. As a beginner I got first ration with Sakhalin Energy, an oil minimise the effects of the survey made in 2010. the marine field and fortunately toring Framework. We were also hand experience and immense and gas company conducting the on gray whales and to maximise in 2013, I got the opportunity to given the chance to participate in knowledge in an educational survey, and IUCN’s Western Gray data collection to assist in the Sakhalin Energy is the only be an Assessor for Green Fins activities of other groups through- and extremely warm and friend- Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP). planning of similar monitoring and energy company operating at (a UNEP initiative coordinated out the expedition. ly environment that I am very mitigation programs for future Sakhalin that has accepted the by Reef World). This led to my grateful for. The expedition gave In a seismic survey, air guns seismic surveys. Those included, inclusion of an Independent training on environmentally-friend- Furthermore, we organized me a valuable insight into life as a towed behind a ship repeatedly for example, timing of the survey Observer as part of its seismic ly dive practices, assessing dive workshops for the locals in island marine biologist and I decided to emit powerful bursts of sound. to avoid the peak of the whales’ survey monitoring and mitigation schools all over the Maldives and communities providing them with continue further studies in marine Sensors measure the return echo presence and ensuring key pro- programme. giving presentations on maintain- basic knowledge of what we conservation. to reveal details of the sea floor tective measures. The company ing the coral reef ecosystem and learned from coral reef monitoring and underlying geologic structure also committed to monitoring For more information, please suggesting areas of improvement. methods. Ahmed Basheer to a depth of several kilometres whale numbers, distribution contact Anete Berzina (anete.ber- My experience with Green Fins to pinpoint the location of oil or and behaviour; to maintaining a [email protected]) or Giulia Carbone encouraged me to learn more Before the expedition, I was only gas. distance of at least two kilometres from IUCN’s Global Business and about marine conservation, and able to differentiate the major between the airgun array and Biodiversity Programme (giulia. in April 2015, I was given the op- genera of corals, but following the any whales; and to halting the [email protected]). operation if whales come too close

22 23 The PISUNA Project Changing climate conditions are particularly and rapidly affecting the BEST Initiative Arctic, including Greenland – the EU’s northernmost overseas territo- Protecting biodiversity of international importance and the ry. These environmental changes can compromise the livelihoods of livelihoods of the people who depend on it indigenous people but gaps in scientific knowledge of the situation have made it difficult to create relevant climate adaptation strategies. Thus, Project PACIOCEA monitoring species and habitats (including increases or decreases in the The geography of Pacific countries, territories and maritime domains call for a co- ice or snow cover) are essential strategies to get an accurate impression operative approach to mitigate the effects of climate change. Having a full picture of of the changes in the natural environment. The PISUNA Project engages the situation allows policy makers to develop appropriate climate change adaptation hunters and fishers in the monitoring of the biodiversity to complement strategies within their interconnected ecosystems. Project PACIOCEA creates an existing scientific and governmental efforts aiming to strengthen the in- opportunity to gather experts and stakeholders from the region to build a technical corporation of indigenous and local knowledge into decision-making and network to address marine issues within and beyond the southwest Pacific Island to manage the natural resources in a sustainable way. Countries and Territories (PICTs). Workshops in Fiji and New Caledonia brought representatives from PICTs to work on regional marine spatial planning. The project is now collating the data and analysing the issues in order to determine future actions to be implemented collaboratively.

Project Mang Wetlands are vitally important to coastal communities: keeping them healthy has been shown to help lessen the impacts of climate change. They provide essential services, including flood regulation, shore- line protection and groundwater purification. However, many wetlands are currently poorly managed and under threat. This 3-year project involves setting up technical and methodological foundations for the conservation of coastal wetlands to address gaps in the knowledge and to improve community capacity Macaroni Penguins in British and French Overseas Territories to manage them. This project involves four activities to achieve these goals: developing a site assess- Macaroni penguins are globally threatened, but their decline is not well understood. This project aims to identify the most ment method and communicating it to stakeholders; defining a participative methodology for managing important at-sea areas for macaroni penguins around the British and French Overseas Territories of South Georgia and wetlands; communicating working methodologies to wetland managers to facilitate their adoption and South Sandwich Islands, Crozet and Kerguelen. GPS and satellite tracking of these penguins will help researchers map finally involving various target groups in concrete actions towards their preservation. their distribution at different breeding and feeding sites and establish the characteristics of the marine habitat needed to support the species’ full life cycle. The first results of the project show the key role played by the Antarctic Polar Front as foraging habitat for individuals which breed on South Georgia. Such findings can be used to design collaborative management measures and networks of protected sites that protect not only the species’ terrestrial breeding sites but also their marine feeding habitats, which are essential to the species’ survival.

Taking Action on Climate Change: Island States Show the Way Timeline: islands’ engagements against climate change 25 June 2014: Islands Declaration on targets, to limit global warming to 16 July 2015: Polynesian P.A.C.T. (Pol- Islands are on the front line of the GHG emission reductions by 2030 heat, about ¼ of CO emissions and 2 Climate Change: Island and regional <2°C or even 1.5°C; ynesia Against Climate Threats) - Com- impacts of climate change like - some even committing to change to thus acting as shield and regulator. leaders commit to: • Commit to educate youth on CC ad- mon climate declaration notably calling increased storms, sea level rise, 100 % renewables. More and more Some of the most isolated islands • Reinforce public policies enabling aptation tools, such as ecosystems to: drought, and salt water intrusion into prioritize nature-based solutions for reveal how little damaged an environ- development of renewable energies; and nature-based projects. • Foster a circular and low carbon the water table. Their economies are adaptation efforts, recognizing how ment far away from anthropogenic • Request that islands are prioiritised economy more respectful of tradi- especially dependent on the natu- cost-effective they are. impacts can be and thus show resil- in the post-2015 intl climate agenda. 9 May 2015: Declaration of Fort-de- tional ways of living, of their environ- ral environment, both marine and ience capacities. They also represent France - Joint statement of the Caribbe- ment and resources; terrestrial, which provide vital ecosys- Almost all of EU Outermost Regions key sites to study the consequences 4 September 2014: S.A.M.O.A. Path- an Community (CARICOM): • Recognise continuous Polynesian tem services such as food (fisheries), and Overseas Countries and Ter- of climate change. Islands can be way (SIDS Accelerated Modalities of • Clarity on targets for developed Exclusive Economic Zones (> 10 tourism (attractive beaches, showy ritories are islands with biologically seen as microcosms of our planet, Action): Joint statement of government countries, adaptation measures, and million km2) as one of the biggest corals, unique habitats and wildlife) important marine and coastal eco- giving us the opportunities to observe leaders and high-level representatives financial and technological support carbon sinks in the world. and coastal protection (coral reefs, systems. They are located in every problems and test solutions. at 3rd Small Island Developing States to address CC impact in small de- mangroves, seagrasses buffering the major ocean of the world and harbour (SIDS) Conference noting the importance veloping countries. 11 September 2015 Pacific Islands coast from storms). ecosystems as varied as polar seas, EU overseas entities bring significant of climate finance in addressing CC. Forum Leaders Declaration on Climate tropical coral reefs and sub-Antarctic contributions to both the study of the June 2015: Hawaii enacts a law man- Change Action - calling to: In the statements ahead of COP21 kelp forests. Taking into account the impacts of climate change and the 23 September 2014: The SIDS Light- dating all of the state’s electricity to be • Recognise the special circumstanc- in Paris, islands asked that their critical role of these marine ecosys- development of solutions to mitigate house Initiative - Joint statement and from renewable sources by no later than es of SIDS; concerns be heard and also wanted tems, French Polynesia is calling for a and adapt to them. Their special 5-year action plan by 25 island states 2045. This makes Hawaii the first U.S. • Limit global average temperature and partners for deployment of renewa- state to adopt such a standard. increase to below 1.5°C; offers of solutions and commitments “Défi de Paris” that would, in a global links to European nations can assure bles. • Uphold the Polluter Pays principle. towards addressing these impacts. partnership, foster more actions for that their efforts inform and improve 8 June 2015: The Alliance of Small Several lead by example with clear the oceans. The role of the ocean policies at the global level - island April 2015: Lifou Declaration - Joint Island States (AOSIS), calls for the End of October 15: Caribbean com- commitments to transition to renew- on the climate machinery is indeed solutions are relevant to coastal areas statement by 15 Pacific member states’ inclusion of “below 1.5°C” as a long-term munities launch the 1point5 campaign able energies and achieve significant fundamental - absorbing 93% of the worldwide! leaders of the Oceania 21 Initiative temperature goal. to raise awareness of the social justice • Urge UNFCCC to commit to legally dimensions of climate change. 24 binding GHG emission reduction 25 Climate Change in EU Overseas BEST 2.0 Programme Regions and Overseas Countries Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in European Overseas Territories and Territories

he BEST Initiative was es- Ttablished in response to the recommendation from the 2008 conference on strategies to coun- ter climate change and biodiversity loss in the EU and its overseas entities in Réunion. It supports the conservation of biodiversity and Sunrise on Pitcairn Island, © Stewart McPherson sustainable use of ecosystem services, including ecosystem-based he first impacts of climate greatest loss to date at more than pressing threats to biodiversity. approaches to climate change ad- change on the biodiversity US$3 billion (or 183% of GDP). It was There is only very limited information aptation and mitigation in the EU Tcan already been observed in estimated that by 2050, losses due to about the impacts of climate change overseas entities, which comprise most of the EU Overseas Regions increases in sea surface temperature on biodiversity. To date, there has the nine Outermost Regions (ORs) (OR) and Overseas Countries and in British Virgin Islands could be valued been little climate change-specific and 25 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT). at between US$ 19.4 billion and US$ monitoring in most territories. Mak- Territories (OCTs). 30.9 billion, meaning a range of 341% ing projections about future impacts Climate change and sea level rise to 1,863% of 2008 GDP in BVI. is complicated by the fact that most Following the overwhelmingly pos- contribute to coastal erosion, flooding, global climate change models are not itive response to the two calls for damage to coral reefs from bleaching Another impact is change in the distri- at a high enough resolution to provide proposals, launched in 2011 and and disease, and the destruction of bution, range and abundance of plants information about “small islands”. 2012, under the BEST Preparatory coastal and marine ecosystems, such and animals. Changed climatic con- Action - a total of 84 proposals as mangroves and seagrass beds. ditions will either allow them to thrive Understanding both the need and the were submitted and 18 projects Coastal erosion, some of which is outside their usual range or make opportunities for adaptation to climate were funded - the European vices in the OCTs through capacity launched on 14th September linked to climate change, is causing their usual range inhospitable. Melting change is fast becoming an essential Commission Directorate General building activities delivered in the 2015 for small grants in the Indian the loss of turtle nesting sites in the glaciers could increase the habitat requirement of both governments and for International Cooperation and regions by IUCN’s partner organ- Ocean, Polar/Subpolar and South Caribbean territories. Additionally, of invasive mice and reindeer, which the private sector of vulnerable coun- Development (DEVCO) commit- isations, and by providing much Atlantic regions, as well as for me- Caribbean corals have declined by would put the Antarctic’s only song- tries. Preparing for climate change im- ted an additional 8 million Euros needed, accessible and targeted dium grants in the Caribbean and more than 50% since the 1970s. Some bird, the endemic South Georgia pipit pacts will now be less costly and more for the BEST 2.0 Programme to funding for projects that will deliver Pacific regions. In a second call areas like the Caribbean and the Pa- (Anthus antarcticus), at risk. In French effective than remedial measures in the cific will experience an increase in the Polynesia, the Miconia invasive tree future. Immediate action is therefore support further calls for proposals tangible results on the ground. – to be launched in spring 2016 – intensity of tropical cyclones, leading to covers now about 2/3 of Tahiti Island an opportunity for the OR and OCT for projects to be implemented in stakeholders in all five regions will a loss of important coastline protec- and is a direct threat to 70 endemic to build resilience in the face of their the 25 OCTs. A combination of small grants then be able to apply to the grant tion and coastal ecosystems, not to Tahitian plant species. This could lead inherent vulnerabilities, improve natural (≤100,000 Euros) and medium category from which the region mention the high economic and social to a decline of native plants or animals resource management and physical IUCN is responsible for imple- grants (≤400,000 Euros) will be did not benefit during the first call. costs associated with recovery from and an overall reduction in the variety planning processes, and adapt to menting the programme with funded. Small grants primarily Information related to the call can the damages. In 2004, in the Cayman of plants and animals found in a given changing climate conditions. support from four partner organi- target stakeholders based in the be found on the BEST 2.0 Portal. Islands, Hurricane Ivan caused the area, thereby making it one of the most sations which are based in each of OCTs and support actions imple- the regions in which the OCTs are mented within individual territories. With the OCTs hosting a sig- located (IUCN French Committee Medium grants aim to promote nificant proportion of the EU’s BEST Newsletter: Stay up to date in the Pacific and Indian Ocean, regional inter-territorial coopera- biodiversity, BEST 2.0 will make with the BEST Initiative! SAERI1 in the South Atlantic, tion and can involve European, an important contribution to the TAAF2 in the Polar/Subpolar and regional and international organi- achievement of European and 3 The newsletter of the BEST initiative brings you, twice a year, up- CAR-SPAW in the Caribbean). sations on the condition that they global biodiversity targets. As all dates on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation in EU overseas partner with and delivery capacity OCTs are islands, responsible for entities and their regions. Marine conservation is a key concern as BEST 2.0 aims to enable, em- building to local stakeholders. a marine territory often 100,000 all these entities manage large and important exclusive economic power and strengthen local actors The programme will draw on the times larger than their land area zones (EEZs) – collectively comprising the world’s largest marine that are committed to promoting ecosystem profiles currently being and dependent on a healthy territory – as well as some of the largest marine protected areas biodiversity conservation and the developed by the BEST III consor- coastal environment for their well- (MPAs). Have a look at the latest issue of the BEST newsletter to sustainable use of ecosystem ser- tium (also managed by IUCN) as being, BEST 2.0 can offer much see how previously funded projects, and current efforts under the well as other local and territorial needed support towards the BEST Initiative are progressing, read success stories, and discover 1South Atlantic Environment Research strategies to assess the relevance conservation of Europe’s marine something new about the natural heritage of Europe and why it is Institute of proposals with regards to local world.

of such global importance. The BEST newsletter includes high- 2 French Antarctic and Sub Antarctic Terri- needs and priorities, and to inform tories For more information, please lights from the regions, profiles BEST teams and partners, and the selection of grantees. 3 Regional Activity Centre implementing contact Carole Martinez (carole. presents some of the 18 funded projects. The BEST newsletter the UNEP protocol on specially protected [email protected]) can be found at the BEST website. Go here to subscribe: http:// areas and wildlife in the Caribbean region A first call for proposals was eepurl.com/bewCBT.

26 27 © IUCN NERC Regional approaches to conservation High Seas conservation: speaking with beyond national boundaries in the South Kristina Gjerde West Indian Ocean

© John Weller n June 2015, UN Member rising carbon dioxide emissions on reas beyond national ju- The Nairobi Convention for the Regional approaches to the con- States formally adopted a We sat down with her to discuss land. We simply must act individu- risdiction (ABNJ) repre- Protection, Management and servation of biodiversity and the resolution to develop a legal- her insights on the current status of ally and globally to rapidly reduce sent 64% of the surface Development of the Marine and sustainable use of resources in I A ly-binding international instru- marine conservation. CO . of the world’s ocean. Within Coastal Environment of the ABNJ are being explored and de- 2 ment to conserve and sustain the framework of the ongoing Eastern African Region is the veloped in several regions of the marine biodiversity in areas Why is conserving the high What is currently lacking in marine conservation project in Regional Seas Convention under world’s ocean. This runs in paral- beyond national jurisdiction. seas important? existing ocean governance ABNJ of the South West Indian the auspices of the United Na- lel to the international discussions Kristina Gjerde, Senior High mechanisms? Ocean (FFEM-SWIO Project), tions Environment Programme for on this topic that are taking place Seas Advisor to IUCN’s Global Often referred to as the blue heart IUCN Global Marine and this region of the world’s ocean under the UN General Assembly Marine and Polar Programme, of the planet, the global ocean is Although we have an international Polar Programme and project (http://www.unep.org/regional- auspices aiming for the same has kept IUCN in the forefront vital for maintaining life as we know framework treaty to govern ocean partners are focusing on two seas/about/default.asp). goal, that is, improved govern- of efforts to promote improved it on Earth. I prefer to call it the activities, called the UN Convention specific types of ecosystems: ance and good management of management and governance blue lungs of the planet, for ocean on the Law of the Sea, it has some seamounts and hydrothermal Last June, the 8th Conference of areas beyond national jurisdiction. of the two-thirds of the ocean phytoplankton supply fifty percent critical weaknesses and gaps, vents. the Parties (COP) to the Nairobi located beyond national bound- of the oxygen we breathe. Achiev- including: Convention took place in Sey- For more information on the aries. ing effective ocean governance The project is funded by the chelles. In the context of the FFEM-SWIO Project, please cannot be considered a luxury, but 1) MPA Networks: There is no way French Global Environment Facili- FFEM-SWIO Project, IUCN and contact Aurélie Spadone (aurelie. Since 2003, Kristina has been rather an essential foundation for to establish a network of global- ty (FFEM; http://www.ffem.fr/) and its partner IDDRI (Institute for [email protected]). urging both a new internation- sustainable development. ly-recognized marine protected aims at improving the governance Sustainable Development and al agreement and better use of areas beyond national boundaries framework for these areas in International Relations) presented existing instruments at the United What is the biggest problem to sustain marine wildlife, build order to conserve their marine bi- the issues and held a side-event Nations, the Convention on Biolog- facing the high seas today? resilience to the impacts of climate odiversity and sustainably exploit in plenary to discuss the possible ical Diversity and the international change and ocean acidification or their living and non-living resourc- role of the Nairobi Convention in Project partners: National Museum of Natural History (France), the Institute of Research organizations charged with man- Today the biggest problem is provide insurance against mistakes es, acknowledging the fact that the development of area-based for Development (IRD, France), Institute for aging fishing, shipping and sea- fishing: too many fisheries man- and poor management. the lack of scientific knowledge is management tools in ABNJ. Sustainable Development and International bed mining. In 2003, she helped agement organizations in charge one of the main barriers to con- Relations (IDDRI) and Oxford University establish a special task force of the of regulating regional fisheries 2) Accountability: There is no way servation of biodiversity in ABNJ. One of the resulting decisions of World Commission on Protected (RFMOs) are doing a poor job of to hold States and international this COP was to “urge Contract- The project is supported by the French Minis- Areas on high seas MPAs; in 2008 preventing overfishing, ending organizations (such as RFMOs) These ecosystems, which ing Parties to cooperate in im- try of Foreign Affairs and the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. she co-founded the Global Ocean illegal fishing, or protecting marine accountable for their failure to are considered as biodiversity proving the governance of areas Biodiversity Initiative; in 2010, the life. This frustration is driving a safeguard marine biodiversity and hotspots, are facing two major beyond national jurisdiction, build- Project implemented in collaboration with Sargasso Sea Alliance; in 2011, global movement calling for better ecosystems that effectively belong threats: (i) overfishing and poten- ing on existing regional institutions several institutions, ongoing projects or the High Seas Alliance; and in protection of high seas biodiversity to all of us. tial destruction of habitats through including the Nairobi Convention programmes: notably, the Department of 2012, the Deep Ocean Steward- and ecosystems, including through deep sea bottom-trawling; and and developing area based man- Environmental Affairs and the Department of ship Initiative. a system of marine protected areas 3) Finance: There is no globally (ii) potential destruction of habi- agement tools such as marine Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of South Africa, the Deep Sea Project of the FAO and reserves. supported financial mechanism to tats and pollution from deep sea spatial planning to promote the ABNJ Program and its partners, The Nairo- For more information, you can spur marine scientific research; to mining exploration and future blue economy pathways in the bi Convention, The Southern Indian Ocean watch her TED talk at http://www. However, it’s important to note that build capacity of developing coun- exploitation activities. Western Indian Ocean Region’’. Deepsea Fishers Association, universities in South Africa and Reunion Island, IFREMER, ted.com/talks/kristina_gjerde_mak- the biggest problem facing the high tries, or to support conservation. the International Seabed Authority, SAPPHIRE ing_law_on_the_high_seas or seas tomorrow is climate change and AfriCOG. follow her at @4kgjerde. and other impacts stemming from

28 29 Hamilton Declaration, March 2014 Looking at a history of high seas Plan of Implementation of the World Hamilton Declaration on the Collaboration Summit on Sustainable Development for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea (WSSD), December 2002 – a non-binding political agreement that UN Preparatory Committee, 2016-17 governance World leaders commit to facilitate invites governments and other stakehold- This PrepCom will focus on devel- the establishment of representative ers to commit themselves to help safeguard oping substantive elements for a new networks of marine protected areas the Sargasso Sea. legally binding instrument under Convention on the High Seas, April by 2012 and to maintain biodiversity UNCLOS on the conservation and 1958 in areas beyond national jurisdiction sustainable use of marine biodiversity Recognizing the freedom of naviga- International Seabed Authority established, (ABNJ). in ABNJ. tion, freedom of fishing, freedom to November 1994 First network of high seas MPAs created lay submarine cables and pipes, and Established when UNCLOS came into force to Hague-Visby Rules, 1924 in NE Atlantic, September 2010 freedom to fly over the high seas. regulate deep seabed mining, promote marine sci- This set of international rules This network included 6 MPAs under the entific research, and to ensure effective protection applied regulations on the inter- OSPAR Convention (Convention for the Intergovernmental of the marine environment from seabed mining national carriage of goods by sea, Protection of the Marine Environment of Conference, 2018? activities in the Area. establishing minimum standards the North-East Atlantic). and obligations on carriers.

1924 1958 1982 1994 1995 2002 2004 2010 2014 2015 2016-17 2018

UN Member States formally adopt resolution to develop a legally-binding UN Fish Stocks Agreement, August 1995 international instrument for marine biodiversity beyond national bounda- Adopted with goal of ensuring long-term Action from the UNGA on issues related UNCLOS established national economic boundaries out to ries, June 2015 conservation and sustainable use of highly to marine biodiversity, November 2004 200nm, December 1982 A legally-binding international instrument for the conservation and sustainable migratory and straddling fish stocks through The United Nations General Assembly UNCLOS 1982 adopted an overarching duty to protect and use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction could look to build on, ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries manage- (UNGA) created an Ad-Hoc Open-ended preserve the marine environment while also establishing elaborate and support UNCLOS through establishing global mechanisms for ment, application of the precautionary approach, Informal Working Group to study issues Exclusive Economic Zones and recognizing the freedoms of high seas marine protected areas, improving environmental impact assessments protection of biodiversity in the marine envi- related to the conservation and sustainable the high seas. UNCLOS also declared the seabed Area beyond and incorporating modern governance principles. ronment, and measures to eliminate overfishing use of marine biodiversity in ABNJ (“BBNJ the limits of national jurisdiction to be the common heritage and implement effective monitoring, control and Working Group”) to address growing threats of mankind, to be managed for the benefit of all. By 2018 it is hoped the UNGA will be ready to convene an intergovernmental surveillance. to marine biodiversity and ecosystems. conference to finalize the agreement.

What are the biggest obstacles leaders and even your UN repre- through new global cooperative to an effective high seas pro- sentatives to let them know how research programmes as we strive As the timeline indicates, UNGA will enable these existing jurisdiction in an era of escalat- tective agreement? important it is to protect marine to ensure that 100% of marine international law of the sea has tools to be applied in a more ing threats from climate change life in the ocean beyond bounda- activities are truly sustainable. evolved beyond the narrow integrated and comprehensive and ocean acidification. The greatest obstacle will be ries and urging them to create a recognition of high seas free- way, and provide a mechanism getting all countries to agree on strong high seas biodiversity treaty. For further information, please doms such as the freedom to to regularly review progress. a robust framework that enables You can also follow the High Seas consult the following pages: fish or navigate. Since 1982, These strong, long-term and compre- Alliance on Facebook, twitter and the law of the sea also includes principles hensive protection. While most the web, and to support the call for IUCN World Commission on Pro- a duty for States to protect and and tools nations recognize the need for a #waveofchange. tected Areas Marine: http://www. preserve the marine environ- could do urgent action, there are still a few protectplanetocean.org/ ment and the life it contains. much to suggesting that fisheries should What are your future aspira- Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative: But we have not done a great support be excluded from the agreement. tions for high seas conserva- http://www.gobi.org/ job of implementing this duty. marine This is supposedly on the ground tion? Sargasso Sea Commission: http:// We know how to: apply biodiversi- that high seas fisheries are already www.sargassoseacommission.org/ precautionary and ecosys- ty conser- so well managed. I only wish that My future hopes for high seas con- High Seas Alliance: http://high- tem approaches; establish vation and were the case. servation include the rapid roll-out seasalliance.org/ MPA networks, and integrate sustain- of a truly comprehensive system Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative: biodiversity conservation into able use What is the best way for peo- of marine protected areas that can http://dosi-project.org/ sectoral management. Many in areas ple to become involved in high safeguard the full range of species, are hoping that the new agree- beyond seas conservation issues? habitats and ecosystems across You can reach Kristina Gjerde at ment being developed by the national our blue planet. At the same time [email protected] The best way to get involved would we need to vastly expand our be to send a letter to your national understanding of the remote ocean 30 Kristina giving a TED talk on the law of the high 31 seas, April 2010 © Carl Gustaf Lundin Protecting habitats in the Sargasso Sea The Arctic: A Period of Global Changes First complete protection measures achieved for Sargasso Sea habitats and Action ince 2012, the North Atlantic Fisheries SOrganization (NAFO) has been considering measures to protect habitats in the Sargasso he Arctic is changing IUCN will: and representation of marine sites Sea – particularly the seamounts. At its 37th rapidly, attracting more on the list and advance the conser- Annual Meeting in Halifax in September 2015, it Tand more global attention. • Perform a quantitative and vation and sustainable management decided to prohibit the use of mid-water trawl- IUCN’s Global Marine and Polar qualitative analysis of amount of of exceptionally important natural ing gear with discs, bobbins or rollers on its Programme aims to tackle the microplastics present in the arc- arctic marine areas. footrope or “any other attachment designed to latest threats that emerge in this tic waters and their origins; make contact with the bottom1” in seamount region. • Assess the harmful effects of IUCN continues to support WWF area closures under its jurisdiction. NAFO also plastic ingestion in the arctic in its efforts to develop a set of vol- agreed that all Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem The Arctic has long been known food web and its potential to untary measures for shipping in the indicator species caught during fishing on sea- as a Persistent Organic Pollutants affect food security, i.e. assess Bering Strait region. This includes mount closures need to be reported. NAFO also (POPs) and mercury sink, but now the public health concerns for facilitation of a multi-stakeholder agreed to remove the exemption for “exploratory it seems to face a new threat. It the consumption of fish and bi-lateral process to develop volun- bottom fishing activities” in seamount protection recently emerged that the Arctic is seafood living in polluted waters tary measures for shippers that may zones2. These key regulatory agreements will also a sink for microplastics. Some enriched in microplastics; be used by government agencies provide the strongest protection from damage scientists claim that that “arctic sea • Explore a possible correlation within the two Bering Strait States due to fishing achieved to date for seamount ice from remote locations contains between microplastics and ice (US and Russia) to ensure safety ecosystems and represent the most substantial concentrations of microplastics formation and melting. + and stewardship within this region. regulatory measures achieved for fisheries in the that are several times of magnitude Such measures may also form Sargasso Sea. greater than those found in highly These findings will provide impor- the basis of future cooperative © Duke University Marine Geospital Ecology Lab contaminated surface waters, such tant information for regulatory and agreements and standards in the NAFO is still actively considering whether the as those of the Pacific Gyre”1. Ma- environmental decision-making and region. These measures could be Sargasso Sea provides forage area or habitat for living marine resources that could be impacted by different rine plastics accumulate toxic pol- allow arctic states to design preven- further implemented in other Arctic types of fishing and whether there is a need for any management measure, including a closure, to protect this lutants present at the sea surface tion measures as required. (or Sub-Arctic) regions with similar ecosystem. and serve as a potential transport conditions. vector for chemical contaminants of IUCN, jointly with UNESCO and the 1 Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), NAFO/FC DOC. 15/13, Seamount Closures: gear specification for the use of midwater trawls concern. Natural Resources Defense Council, On a positive note, the five arctic and reporting of VMEs (September 2015). has also recently launched a joint coastal States (Canada, Denmark, 2 NAFO/FC DOC. 15/15, Revision of Article 17 of the NAFO CEM (September 2015). These microplastics pose a serious project to identify Arctic marine Norway, Russia and USA), apply- threat not only to marine organisms sites that meet the natural World ing the precautionary approach, Two new Commissioners join the Sargasso Sea Commission via ingestion, but also to public Heritage criteria2 for inclusion into recently adopted a declaration es- health, as some of the world’s the UNESCO World Heritage List3. tablishing interim measures to deter On September 30th, 2015, the Government of Bermuda announced the appointment of two new members largest commercially exploited In 2012, a UNESCO overview unregulated fishing in the future in of the Sargasso Sea Commission. Professor Stephen de Mora, Chief Executive of the Plymouth Marine Lab- fish stocks are found in the Arctic. identified the Arctic region as being the high seas portion of the central oratory in the UK, and Mark Spalding, President of the Ocean Foundation, join the six-person Commission. Approximately 40% of the United significantly underrepresented in Arctic Ocean. The Commission was established by the 2014 Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of States’ commercial fisheries (by the World Heritage system. IUCN the Sargasso Seas to exercise a stewardship role for the Sargasso Sea, the unique two-million-square nauti- weight) come from the Bering Sea, is planning an Expert Workshop IUCN also welcomed the news that cal mile High Seas ecosystem in the North Atlantic. and about half of the fish consumed that will gather Arctic scientists to Shell will cease further exploration in the European Union is from the evaluate marine areas and their activity in offshore Alaska for the European Arctic. potential to be protected under the foreseeable future. We believe that Exploring partnerships to protect eels that spawn only in the Sargasso Sea World Heritage Convention, and de- other oil companies should follow So far, a fine assessment of the velop an initial strategy to facilitate the trend and avoid hydrocarbon The Sargasso Sea is the only place in the world where the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and the American eel (A. 1 quantity, type, sources, transport, nominations of Arctic marine areas exploration and exploitation activ- rostrata) spawn. Both species are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, the European eel critically so . In 2014, accumulation and fate of plastics in for World Heritage listing. This will ities in other arctic seas as much the Government of Monaco, supported by the Sargasso Sea Commission (SSC), spon- the Arctic waters is lacking: there- strengthen the credibility, balance as possible. Mutually beneficial sored the listing of European Eel under the Appendix II Convention for Highly Migratory fore IUCN aims to tackle this issue dialogue between oil and gas Species. The SSC is now working to convene a Range State Workshop in 2016 to that could have a global negative companies and environmental or- discuss collaborative measures that can be taken by European Eel Ranges States. impact. 2 UNESCO Selection Criteria available at ganizations can give an opportunity http://whc.unesco.org/en/criteria/ to discuss the environmental risks In October 2015, the SSC partnered with Dalhousie University, the Ocean Tracking 3 This project builds upon the work of IUCN and NRDC in 2010 and 2011, which was during the design and implementa- Network, Maine Law School and the Gulf Coast Research Institute to host a two-day generously funded by the Fondation Prince tion of various oil and gas projects, multilateral symposium with a wide range of experts to focus on concrete “next steps” © David Curnick Albert II of Monaco, to identify ecologically thereby allowing truly meaningful to protect the American eel. and biologically sensitive areas in the Arctic marine environment that should be consid- opportunities for a winning solution ered for protection, and promote ecosys- for all parties. For more information, please contact David Freestone ([email protected] or Faith Bulger 1 Global warming releases microplastic lega- tem-based management in this region. The ([email protected]) or consult the website www.sargassoseacommission.org. cy frozen in Arctic Sea ice. R. W. Obbard, S. project also builds upon the initial Arctic work For more information, please Sadri, Ying Qi Wong, A. A. Khitun, I. Baker, of the World Heritage Centre in 2007, also R. C. Thompson, 20 June 2014, available at co-funded by Fondation Prince Albert II of contact Tatiana Saksina (tatiana. http://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/agu/ Monaco. [email protected]). 1 See IUCN, available online: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/60344/0. 32 3333 on specific problems such as by- Croatia and Greece. The project the denominations and labels ap- Mediterranean: catch of endangered or protected has been able to propose specific plicable to Mediterranean waters Regional cooperation increases species and on governance in the activities for improving the govern- within the framework of interna- areas beyond national jurisdiction. ance on this topic and developing tional, regional and sub-regional new approaches for a sustainable instruments, it was decided to During 2015, several meetings exploitation of the sea. A second provide an analysis of these labels were held on the adoption of a project is under preparation for im- with details of their level of con- common approach for the devel- plementing the recommendations straint. A similar approach could opment of the regional network of based on studies on specific sites. be conducted to examine labels at MPAs. The GFCM is completing the national level. a review of the fisheries reserves, Future agreements include a temporary and permanent, ex- GFCM meeting on Small Scale isting in the Mediterranean - to Fisheries, with special attention 4) Marine Species, Eco- date, more than 130 have been on MPAs, to take place in Alge- identified. An update on conser- ria in March 2016, as well as the systems and Habitats in vation efforts by non-European adoption of a common strategy the Mediterranean Countries of the Mediterranean is between all partners under the under preparation by IUCN-Med auspices of the Barcelona Con- Following the creation of the Red and MedPAN. For the North Afri- vention – Mediterranean Action List assessment of cartilaginous can countries (Morocco, Algeria, Plan for MPA network develop- fishes in 2007, as well as over- Tunisia, Libya and Egypt), 94 ment and management in Febru- views of the status of marine © Carl Gustaf Lundin marine conservation areas have ary 2016. mammals in 2008, and of the con- been declared (previously only 11 servation status of the marine fish were listed) corresponding to 44 in 2011, the Red List assessment of the Anthozoans of the Mediter- common strategy is biological assemblages of canyon, sites (multiple designations in the 3) Mediterranean Govern- 1) Deep sea knowledge ranean will be published before under preparation seamount and chemo-synthetic same area) and covering about and conservation ance the end of 2015. Abetween the Barcelo- ecosystems. This meeting also 2,200km² or 1.2% of North Africa na Convention and the UNEP examined the information systems territorial waters (previously about Knowledge In collaboration with RAC/SPA The IUCN-Mediterranean Ma- Mediterranean Action Plan, used by different organizations and 1,100km²). Both documents will Following the preparation of a and with the support of the Envi- rine Programme has also been represented by its Regional research institutions, the pros and be published before the end of report on canyons, the IUCN-Med- ronmental Law Centre of IUCN, involved in the preparation of a Activity Centre for Specially cons of a shared data platform, 2015. iterranean office is completing an assessment of the legal and regional approach for the Red list Protected Areas (UNEP-MAP- and how these can help in as- an Atlas of Mediterranean Sea- institutional national framework of Mediterranean Marine Habitats. RAC/SPA), the Agreement for sessing the ecological status and At the national level, the bottom mounts, covering 244 underwater for MPAs was conducted in three This activity was supported by EU the Conservation of Cetaceans human pressures in Mediterranean approach developed within the features. Missions at sea were also Adriatic countries: Albania, Croatia financing in order to consider the of the Black and Mediterranean deep-sea ecosystems. Options for framework of the USA funded- organised to study the possible re- and Montenegro, with a prelimi- EUNIS list of habitats at the sub- Seas (ACCOBAMS), the Gen- a common monitoring system for Millennium Challenge Programme nary review for Bosnia-Herzego- lationship between seamounts and on the specific activities on MPAs regional seas level. eral Fisheries Commission for the presence of marine mammals a standard set of data were also vina. the Mediterranean (GFCM), the considered. The final objective is to and artisanal fisheries has resulted and large pelagic fish. Finally, the public Mediterranean IUCN Centre for Mediterranean implement an effective strategy for in the identification and negotiation Under the framework of different Marine Invasive Species applica- Cooperation (IUCN-Med) and Mediterranean deep sea conserva- of three potential MPAs to be pro- Mediterranean Deep Sea Ecosystems projects such as PEGASO and tion for iPhone has been further the Mediterranean Protected tion, management and monitoring. posed by fishermen associations. expert meeting MEDINA, preliminary reviews were developed and rolled out for all Areas Network (MedPAN) for Along the Mediterranean coast also done for Algeria, Egypt, Mo- In collaboration with the French of Morocco, between Tamrabet Mediterranean MPAs. the conservation of the Medi- Agency for MPAs, the Mediterra- rocco and Tunisia, covering both terranean marine environment. and Oued Amtter, an area of nean Institute for Biodiversity and 2) Marine Protected Areas MPAs and monitoring frameworks. For more information, please The draft strategy will be pre- about 250km² has been approved Ecology and the Pytheas Institute, and fisheries contact Alain Jeudy (alain.jeudy@ sented for review and approval by the administration with strict and with the financial support of Based on multiple discussions on iucn.org). by the Contracting Parties regulations of fishing techniques, MAVA, the “Mediterranean Deep All activities related to MPAs and opening and closure of fisheries during the COP to be held in Sea Ecosystems” meeting held on fisheries are the result of strong February 2016. and a request for more control 9-10 September 2015 looked at collaborative approaches with the of illegal activities. In Lebanon, a the information currently available two most relevant instruments in The Mediterranean Marine Pro- similar process is under devel- and explored collaboration op- the Mediterranean on this topic: opment with the participation of gramme has been focused on four portunities to gather and identify the General Fisheries Commission main topics in the 2013-2016 work IUCN-ROWA in the existing nature missing data required to better for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and reserve of Tyr for the preparation programme: (1) deep sea knowl- inform the conservation and man- the ACCOBAMS Agreement. edge and conservation, (2) marine of a management plan for artisanal agement of deep-sea ecosystems. fisheries. protected areas and fisheries, (3) It also discussed the understand- IUCN Mediterranean is coop- governance and (4) species, eco- ing of present pressures and how erating with these two regional systems and habitats. Within Mediterranean waters, the to prevent detrimental impacts on instruments and other interested EU-funded project Fish-MPA-Blue vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems, stakeholders on the review legis- has completed an analysis of the i.e., deep-sea corals, sponge lation and institutional mandates integration of artisanal fisheries communities and other specialized for MPAs and fisheries, as well as in and around marine protected areas of Spain, France, Italy, © Andrea Molinari

34 35 Building Transboundary Marine Protected Areas in Southeast Asia using ecosystems and flagship species

Coral reefs and coastal dolphins

network in the Myeik Archipel- as a platform for information is highly recommended to more ago. sharing and institutional build up effectively combat illegal fishing at different levels among various and promote the protected areas To promote the concept of stakeholders working in marine network. MPAs and to achieve the most conservation. Results from the suitable and effective manage- four surveys were presented The concerted efforts and ment plan for the archipelago, and policy recommendations dialogue on marine conservation two national workshops were were primary outcomes of this have provided the basis for the © Waran Suwanno undertaken in collaboration with workshop. Tanintharyi Regional Adminis- the Department of Fisheries tration to identify a short- and (DoF), Ministry of Livestock, The two workshops highlighted long-term vision and road map onsisting of more than logical Assessment with the goal resource extraction activities. The Fisheries and Rural Develop- the importance of cooperation for developing capacity and 800 islands surround- of evaluating the condition of absence of sharks, large pelagic ment (MLFRD) and the Forest between the DoF, the FD and drafting resource management Ced by coral reefs and marine habitats and establishing species and large-sized fish is a Department (FD), Ministry of a range of non-state actors, guidelines for the region, and diverse marine resources, baseline biodiversity in a variety clear sign of overharvested fish Environmental Conservation and including local and internation- as a reference for developing the Myeik Archipelago in the of sites. The team also examined stocks. The number of fishers Forestry (MoECAF). The Ma- al NGOs and universities, for transboundary MPAs. Andaman Sea has emerged certain socio-economic aspects in the archipelago has already rine Protected Area Workshop improved coastal and marine as a priority area for marine with the aim of investigating the declined by up to 60% during the in Myeik on 2-3 October 2014 management in the archipela- For more information, please conservation in its own right livelihoods, patterns of resource past decade, as smaller or less provided an understanding of go. Transboundary cooperation contact Petch Manopawitr and for its potential role in use, and attitudes on resource efficient operators no longer find the prevailing situation of the between Myanmar and Thailand ([email protected]). replenishing coral reefs across condition and conservation within it economically viable to fish in the Myeik Archipelago. the countries throughout the the coastal communities in the region. The workshop also Andaman Sea. The area has archipelago. offered an introduc- been identified as a key region However, the archipelago can tion to MPA con- to address issues affecting The data from the joint operations recover with appropriate man- cepts, features and transboundary coastal and contributes to the first compre- agement, including mosaics of approaches, and marine ecosystems within the hensive marine ecosystem map protected areas, partnerships gave an opportunity broader Bay of Bengal Large and analysis of current socio-eco- between the tourism industry and for participants to Marine Ecosystem. logical systems for this large local people, and government advocate MPA man- marine area. efforts to cease Illegal, Unreport- agement as a viable Between February 2014 and ed and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. option. January 2015, a series of four The findings from the surveys Many coral reefs in the archipela- live-aboard surveys were under- reveal good coral reef biodiversity go have been assessed as having The second work- taken as part of a cooperative in many areas, which should be a high level of resilience and have shop on Conser- effort by IUCN’s Asia Regional recognized and valued as biodi- withstood the severe mass coral vation Strategy for Office in partnership with Fau- versity reservoirs. However, the bleaching that occurred throughout the Myeik Archipel- na and Flora International (FFI) surveys also reveal that ecosys- the Andaman Sea in 2010. It is ago: “Consolidated and supported by the Bay of tem functioning is seriously threat- therefore in the best interest of all findings and rec- Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem ened in many areas, owing to the stakeholders to develop a more ommendations in Project (BOBLME). The team cumulative and successive impacts connected, well-represented and Dawei”, on 27 Feb- conducted a Rapid Socio-Eco- of destructive and unsustainable effective Marine Protected Areas ruary 2015, served © Waran Suwanno

36 37 Transboundary Dolphin Conservation Less planning and more action on Pacific Islands’ bêche-de-mer fisheries along the Thai-Cambodian Border The Government of the Kingdom In Tonga for example, the Minis- of Tonga was honoured to host ter stated that its bêche-de-mer the inaugural Regional Technical resources are overfished and the bêche-de-mer (BdM) meeting in stock is depleted through illegal Nuku’alofa in October 2015, along- fishing by using hookah and scuba side partners including IUCN, the equipment, fishing during the closed Food and Agriculture Organization season and smuggling to overseas (FAO), WorldFish Centre, Secretariat markets. of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the University of the South Pacific Three key aspects of the BdM fish- Sea cucumber, © Carl Gustaf Lundin (USP). The Honourable Semisi Tau- ery were addressed at the meeting: nesian spearhead group Fisheries elangi Fakahau, Minister of Agricul- conservation, industry development Roadmap. ture & Food, Forests and Fisheries and collective action. The meeting © Jirayu Ekkul expressed his concern at the failure recognised that there is a genuine These decisions reflect how very to sustainably manage this fishery in opportunity to increase the wealth important Pacific Islanders consider Tonga and in the region as a whole. derived from these resources and their bêche-de-mer fishery and their ntil recently, little had recent boat surveys conducted • The sharing of research find- to overcome the boom and bust commitment to effective national Ubeen known about the by IUCN in collaboration with the ings can improve knowledge Throughout the Pacific, sea cucum- nature by value-adding to the prod- management strategies, regulatory abundance and distribution of Fisheries Administration and the on both sides of the border; bers are the second most important uct through high quality and more frameworks, monitoring and en- Irrawaddy Dolphins (Orcael- Department of Environment of • Experience can be used to harvest fishery after tuna. They are in-country processing of the sea forcement. Through stronger man- la brevirostris) in the Eastern Cambodia suggest that a significant build capacity, such as the often harvested by local commu- cucumber. agement, countries aim to sustain Gulf of Thailand and along the number of dolphins inhabit the recent joint first response train- nities, then dried and finally sold livelihoods and revenue-earning op- Thai-Cambodian border. How- area especially in open waters just ings for stranded dolphins and as bêche-de-mer to largely Asian This successful special meeting on portunities for coastal communities ever, in recent years, consider- outside the mouths of waterways photo ID surveys conducted in markets for up to US$90/kg as wet bêche-de-mer resources was a fol- from this fishery. If real progress is to able research efforts have been leading in and out of the mangrove Trat Province; weight and up to US$840/kg dried. low on from the August 2014 “Call be made to sustainable and profita- undertaken by Thailand’s De- forest of Peam Krasop Wildlife At its peak, it has brought US$24 to Action” by Ministers and repre- • Joint research and capacity ble fisheries, it is necessary to con- partment of Marine and Coastal Sanctuary. Apart from fishing million worth of value to Pacific Is- sentatives of the seven countries in building can be more cost-ef- vene partnerships to assist countries Resources (DMCR) in collab- activities, dolphins in this area are landers. It is an extremely important the region. There they reinforced fective; in developing national standards and oration with an international affected by the degradation of hab- source of income in locations where that robust management measures • Collaboration can help pro- processes for developing local and team of researchers, notably in itat caused by sand dredging. there are few sources of revenue. and the establishment of a regional mote ecotourism and dolphin national industry, to help work on response to an increasing num- approach was needed to underpin watching tourism; ‘branding’ and marketing opportuni- ber of stranded dolphins found To respond to the urgent need Despite two decades of investment the future management and sustain- ties to maximize value in global BdM in the area. to protect the remaining dolphin • Transboundary cooperation in in education and awareness, devel- ability of bêche-de-mer fisheries. markets, and most importantly to populations in this area, IUCN priority areas can carry more opment of guidelines on harvesting Participants promised immediate improve and build necessary capac- In Trat Province, Thailand, which and partners are implementing an weight with authorities in each sizes, research into the ecology of and decisive action in their countries ity to take action. borders Koh Kong Province in 18-month transboundary dolphin country. these animals and their potential for and invited their neighbours to join Cambodia to the East, the Irrawad- conservation project along the aquaculture, stocks have contin- them. There is regional support al- For more information, please con- dy dolphin population is estimated coastline of the Thai-Cambodian Government agencies, local admin- ued to decline, with many locations ready for their efforts – for example, tact Leanne Fernandes (leanne. to be around 200 individuals. As in border, funded by the Swedish istrations and communities have suffering through ‘boom and bust’ alignment with key regional policies [email protected]). other parts of the world, dolphins Postcode Lottery. The project aims shown great support for trans- cycles. including the “New Song for coastal in Trat are vulnerable to a variety of to address main threats to dolphin boundary collaboration. Though fisheries” and the regional Mela- human activities including unsus- populations by improving fishing individual steps need to be taken tainable fishing practices, coastal practices (for example, through on each side of the border, coop- development leading to pollution a zoning approach), addressing eration can help draw the neces- and the destruction of habitat, and habitat degradation and pollution, sary attention to the importance climate change. Irrawaddy dolphins strengthening existing local dolphin of protecting dolphins and marine live near the coast, and thus their conservation networks, and sharing conservation more generally. feeding grounds largely overlap local knowledge and experience on with people’s fishing grounds. dolphin conservation between the For more information, please Although in many cases the cause two countries. contact Petch Manopawitr, (petch. of death cannot be established, [email protected]) or Brian entanglement in fishing gears, Transboundary collaboration can Smith, Director, Asian Coastal especially gillnets, appears to be support this process in a number Cetacean Program, WCS & Asia one of the major threats to these of ways: Coordinator, IUCN SSC Cetacean dolphins. • A network of contiguous Ma- Specialist Group ([email protected]). rine Protected Areas or Dolphin www.iucn.org/asia On the other side of the bor- Management Zones provides der, similar challenges exist and, larger areas of conservation; although less data are available,

38 3939 © Frank Koloi © Yvonne Sadovy de Mitcheson © Idriss Deffry Marine Protected Areas for the management So much more than spectacles: of fisheries in West Africa Massive marine gatherings

Camouflage groupers in a spawning aggregation in French Polynesia. Tens of thousands of animals spawn over just a few hours each year – at other times only a handful of groupers live on the site.

he gathering of massive and other coastal habitats are make them particularly vulnera- numbers of animals in destinations for deep water and ble to unmanaged commercial Tparticular places and at coastal species, from croakers to exploitation. Damage to criti- specific times each year is orange roughy, cod to haddock. A cal spawning habitat could be among the most exciting of tiny handful of special large ocean particularly devastating for some all wildlife events to witness. patches are the preferred spawn- species.Indeed, the congregatory rom the beginning of the facilitation of inter-institutional MPAs and fishermen engaged in These temporary gatherings, ing grounds for highly mobile (the term used in Red List assess- the early 2000s, there dialogue and (iv) the improvement the project. This includes monitor- which can number as many pelagics, such as certain tunas ments) habit is one characteristic Fhas been an increasing of government frameworks and ing and surveillance of fisheries reas hundreds of thousands of and marlin. associated with many threatened amount of discussions on the management systems. sources, improving inter-sectional animals and may last for just a marine fish species. implementation of Marine Pro- dialogue and achieving a balance few hours each year, form for Massive marine gatherings have tected Areas for the sustain- The Marine and Coastal Program between managing the MPA and many reasons. diverse and important ecosystem Unfortunately, in a world where it able management of fisheries of IUCN for Central and West maintaining active fisheries. roles. The predictable mating is crisis rather than caution that on an international level and in Africa (IUCN-MACO), with the The IUCN is also working along- Some of the most spectacular aggregation of the horseshoe crab prompts action, it is particularly West Africa in particular. financial support of IUCN France, side the RAMPAO secretariat to are reproductive aggregations. in Delaware Bay is an important challenging to preserve large and is working alongside the West expand knowledge on MPAs in While amazing to see, these food source for the migrating At- intact natural gatherings while Member states of the Sub-Re- African regional network of marine West Africa by building a data wildlife events are far more than lantic red knot, while brief annual they are still large. Because of gional Commission of Fish (better protected areas (RAMPAO) to bank of maps, regulatory texts just spectacles of nature; they are snapper aggregations in Belize are their importance and vulnerabili- known by its French acronym, implement the aforementioned and management plans to create significant ecosystem components, the stopping places for migrating ties, the IUCN SSC Marine Con- CSRP), who in 2003 adopted a recommendations. a solid base of information and critically important sources of whale sharks that evidently time servation Sub-Committee high- sub-regional strategy for MPAs, improve interactions with the global fisheries and represent a their movements to gorge on the lights the fragility of many marine have benefitted from a number The first international conference fishing industry. large part of our marine biodiver- massive numbers of eggs pro- animal congregations. Some merit of initiatives implemented by a on this issue, “Ecosystem ap- sity. They are also proving to be duced. The egg ‘boons’ gener- conservation attention as Eco- group of technical and financial proaches to the management of These initial activities allow the particularly challenging to manage ated by high numbers of predict- logically or Biologically Significant partners. These partners seek to fisheries and the marine environ- RAMPAO to strengthen its role as and conserve. ably concentrated adults are an Marine Areas or Key Biodiversity create a better understanding of ment in West African waters”, a technical support mechanism to exceptionally nutrient-rich trophic Areas and many of these gath- the impacts of established MPAs was organised by the CSRP with its members and thus create solid Animals that spawn in aggrega- injection into the marine food web, erings need truly precautionary on fisheries, in particular, artisanal the support of the Institut de partnership links with the CSRP. tions, irrespective of body size, while large biomass fluxes across management. fisheries. recherche pour l’environnement These activities also allow for the taxon or form, can move long tropical reefs characterize the (IRD) and established a Task preparation of a common region- distances to spawn, from hun- seasonal movements of hundreds For more information, please A number of recommendations Force within the RAMPAO to al program RAMPAO/CSRP to dreds of metres to thousands of to thousands of tonnes of ripe reef contact Yvonne Sadovy de have arisen from discussions, manage the relationship between reinforce the role of MPAs in the miles. Demersal egg layers, as fishes. Mitcheson, Co-Chair MCSC in particular (i) the creation of a MPAs and fisheries. This Task management of fisheries in West diverse as horseshoe crab, squid, ([email protected]) and see geographic information system Force, consisting of a pool of Africa. flying fish, herring or triggerfish Large wildlife gatherings have wwwSCRFA.org as well as the common to MPAs and fisheries, multidisciplinary experts in the head for the substrate they need evolved as phenomena that thrive IUCN website. Information about (ii) the standardisation of reference fishing industry, are intervening For more information, please to locate mates and deposit their on the abundance of animals the MCSC can be found under systems and the implementation now at the request of members of contact Idriss Deffry (idriss.deffry@ eggs. Pelagic spawners, such coming together, and the repro- the Species Survival Commission of simple and permanent moni- the RAMPAO to offer more prac- iucn.org). as many reef fishes, opt for outer ductive or anti-predator benefits (SSC) section. toring systems within MPAs, (iii) tical support to the managers of reef slopes, channels and prom- those numbers confer. However, ontories. Seamounts, estuaries abundance and predictability also

40 41 Staying Connected: SEVENSEAS Supporting emerging marine conservationists and Global Marine Community The IUCN WCPA Marine Young Professionals Task Force

onsidering the glob- supports the conservation work Planet Ocean MPA Blog, resulting al challenges that the of WCPA Marine, whilst also in a significant increase in online If you haven’t already stum- from the field, news, cam- C world’s ocean ecosystems providing a stronger profile for a outreach and engagement with a bled upon it, SEVENSEAS paigns, travel destinations, continue to face, there is a growing global network of young diverse public audience. is a new free publication expeditions, and opportu- growing interest from young professionals working to fulfil the aimed to bridge the gap nities to help or get in- people around the world to Commission objectives on marine The Task Force is also working between marine conser- volved. Though it was only step up and make a differ- conservation worldwide. First es- closely with partners from leading vation and tourism. I got launched a few months ence. Marine conservation is tablished at the 2014 IUCN World marine conservation initiatives the idea for the magazine ago, SEVENSEAS has often regarded as an exciting Parks Congress (WPC) in Sydney, such as #OceanOptimism, the in May of 2015 when I re- readers in 126 countries career choice by young people Australia, the Task Force was for- Terra Mar Project, One More alized marine conservation and draws the attention seeking to gain professional mally recognised in April 2015. Generation, Seven Seas, and the and travel were not only of new subscribers every opportunities with academic IUCN Panorama Blue Solutions two of my passions, they day. The magazine itself institutions, government and/ The Task Force is led by Co- platform of the Inspiring Protected were also the passions of has evolved into a well-re- or non-government organisa- Vice Chairs Mariasole Bianco Area Solutions project, amongst hundreds of thousands of spected conservation pho- tions (NGOs). There are how- and Katherine Zischka, active others. other people. Marine con- tography publication with ever, very few global networks members of WCPA Marine and servation and travel are in- contributions from the top dedicated to supporting and the WCPA Young Professionals The UNFCCC’s 21st confer- timately connected and ab- scientists, photographers, simultaneously harnessing the Group. They are supported by ence of the parties (COP21) solutely dependent on each and explorers around the excellent potential of emerg- the senior WCPA Marine leader, The Task Force will be present at other. Working closely with world. To check-out the ing leaders for marine conser- Professor Dan Laffoley, with the COP21 to emphasise the impor- the IUCN Global Marine magazine, contribute, and vation. contribution of Dr Rebecca Koss, tance of MPAs in preserving bio- Community, the magazine to subscribe for free visit marine scientist and co-leader diversity and the active role that and website serves the www.sevenseastravelmag- In early 2015, the IUCN World for the IUCN Task Force on the YP can play in addressing climate community by focusing on azine.com Commission on Protected Areas Intergenerational Partnership for change issues. conservation issues, stories Marine Group (WCPA Marine), in Sustainability (IUCN IPS). partnership with the WCPA Young The IUCN World Conservation Professionals Group, launched The Work of the Task Force Congress I signed-up with the IUCN weekly round-up of international the WCPA Marine Young Profes- - Engaging in collaborative The Task Force is currently Global Marine Community to meetings and conferences, events, sionals Task Force, a new global partnerships preparing for the world’s largest stay connected. How about webinars, announcements, funding task force for young professionals The Task Force membership global environmental conference you? opportunities, and most popular, aged 35 years and under showing embraces a wide multinational - the IUCN World Conservation the weekly jobs list. To subscribe leadership in marine conservation. representation drawing on exper- Congress in Hawai’i in September As marine professionals we un- or submit to the IUCN Global Ma- tise from marine science, man- 2016. A series of activities will derstand the connectivity between rine Community weekly newsletter This Task Force acknowledg- agement, policy, law, governance, showcase the work of the Task mountaintop removal and sedi- email [email protected] es the dynamic synergies that communication, education and Force (e.g. via poster presenta- mentation on coral reefs, or how The IUCN Global Marine Commu- occur when networks of inspired outreach. tion and networking events); will overfishing in some spawning nity has also created a number of young professionals work to- support the IUCN Global Marine grounds can have catastrophic more informal ways for everyone gether with one another and in The initial focus of the Task Force and Polar Programme at the impacts on fisheries an ocean in the community to connect, we intergenerational partnerships is to progress innovative com- Marine Pavilion; and will facilitate away. Unfortunately sometimes covered social media with our for social transformation and munication strategies for marine opportunities for intergeneration- we manage to misplace that same presence encouraging everyone effective conservation of marine conservation and to facilitate al networking and partnership connectivity between accomplish- to reach out to tell their story, environments. The Task Force intergenerational collaboration between emerging and senior ments of colleagues in the field, share their cause, and display by connecting marine leaders to discuss inno- opportunities at home, or news their photography for the world to young profes- vative collaboration initiatives for from a partner organization that see. To connect please find us at sionals with progressing marine conservation can offer a unique opportunity for facebook.com/GlobalMarineCom- thematic work globally. collaboration. For over eleven munity on twitter @iucn_marine within WCPA years, the IUCN Global Marine and look at stunning photos from Marine. The Riding the Growing Swell of Community (formerly the DCMC) across the community and the Task Force Inspiration has served the marine conser- globe at www.Instagram.com/ currently man- Find out more about the vision, vation community by connecting iucn_marine ages the online mission, objectives and planned YOU with announcements and and social me- activities of the Task Force in the opportunities every week with a For more information please con- dia presence of Terms of Reference or contact the newsletter delivered to your inbox. tact Giacomo Abrusci (giacomo. WCPA Marine Co-Vice Chairs at wcpamarine- There, for free, you can find a [email protected]). via Facebook [email protected]. and the Protect

42 From the left: Kathy Zischka, Mariasole Bianco, Rebecca Koss 43 New Publications and Reports Who we are

Acting on Ocean Acidification: Improving prospects by planning ahead Headquarters Switzerland

Ocean Acidification poses a great threat to our future. This report details the level Carl Gustaf Lundin François Simard of current scientific knowledge on this topic, focusing in particular on the negative Director, Global Marine and Polar Deputy Director and impacts of ocean acidification. It then turns to make six key recommendations to Programme Senior Advisor for Fisheries be implemented within the next ten years: including improved forecasting systems, generating risk awareness and increasing scientific cooperation. The report con- cludes by identifying the mismatch between current initiatives and future require- James Oliver Tatiana Saksina ments, underlining the shortcomings of the existing system and offering practical Programme Operations Officer Manager - Polar Programme advice on what needs to be done to create valuable change.

Carole Martinez Anete Berzina Bridging the Gap Between Ocean Acidification Impacts and Economic Programme Coordinator Manager - Western Gray Whale/SEIC Valuation Regional Seas/EU Overseas Project

A second international workshop on Ocean Acidification was held in November Joao Sousa 2012, involving 55 experts from 19 countries alongside other international organ- Aurélie Spadone Marine Programme Officer isations. The findings of this workshop are published in the report, divided into Marine Programme Officer regional reports on the specificities of the region and then predicted biological and SW Indian Ocean Project economic impacts, as well as relevant policy recommendations. This comprehen- High Seas Issues sive report provides an up-to-date picture of the current situation across different regions. Monique Borboen-Abrams Pierre Yves Cousteau Communications Officer Marine Programme Officer

Elisabeth Kjellqvist Olivia Meylan Keep it Fresh or Salty: An introductory guide to financing wetland carbon Administrative Assistant Administrative Assistant programs and projects

In recent years, governments, international actors and local communities have begun to look to the role of wetlands conservation and restoration in climate change Helen Fox Nicolas Gruner mitigation. Though the motivation is there, it can be difficult to find appropriate Administrative Assistant funding source to set up a wetland carbon program or project. This report provides Temporary Marine Assistant guidance for developers in developing countries on the various funds and finance mechanisms that can enable them to implement wetland carbon conservation and restoration programs or projects. Floriana Misceo Alexis McGivern Temporary Marine Officer Junior Professional

Guidance on Port Biological Baseline Surveys (PBBS)

Port Biological Baseline Surveys are inventories of the existing marine life in and Outposted Staff around commercial ports. These surveys are an essential part of Ballast Water Dorothée Herr Sylvie Rockel Management (BWM), which aims to prevent the introduction of Non-Indigenous Manager, Oceans and Climate Change Best III Project Officer – EU Outermost Species (NIS), which can be carried from one marine environment to another via the Berlin Regions and Overseas Countries and ballast water of ships. The baseline of biological data helps inform policy makers Territories what measures are effective in preventing NIS introductions into the marine envi- Brussels, Belgium ronment. Thie report details the benefits of PBBS, then provides guidance on how a PBBS should be designed and carried out, including how to manage data and Ziad Samaha Daniel Mitchell cooperate with other countries. Marine Officer, West Asia BEST 2.0 Project Officer Amman, Jordan Brussels, Belgium

Unless another email address is provided, the format is: [email protected] 44 45 Who we are

GMPP in the Maldives Patrons of Nature & Ambassadors

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco Mattias Klum Ameer Abdulla Gabriel Grimsditch IUCN Goodwill Ambassador Chief of Party / Chief Technical Senior Project Officer Upsala, Sweden Officer

Munshidha Ibrahim HRH Prince Carl Philip of Sweden William Winram Fathimath Nistharan IUCN Ocean Ambassador Marine Spatial Analyst Community Outreach & [email protected] Engagement Liaison

Her Deepness, Sylvia Earle Christophe Lefèbre Aminath Afau Amir Schmidt Mission Blue Agence des Aires Marines Protégées, IUCN Outreach and Social Science Marine Field Officer San Francisco, USA [email protected] Officer

Nilufer Oral Abdulla Fisam Ali Nizar IUCN Council Focal Point for Oceans Marine Project Officer Communications Officer [email protected]

Njoki Njoroge Advisors Office Manager

Patricio Bernal Dan Laffoley Coordinator, High Seas Biodiversity Principal Advisor, Marine Science Initiatives and Conservation Paris, France Peterborough, England [email protected] [email protected] Sargasso Sea Commission Professor John M Baxter Francis Vorhies Faith Bulger Principal Adviser - Marine, Scottish Natural Senior Advisor, Economics David Freestone Programme Officer, Heritage Switzerland Executive Director, Sargasso Sea Alliance Edinburgh, Scotland [email protected] Sargasso Sea Alliance [email protected] Washington DC, USA Washington DC, USA [email protected] [email protected] Laura Cassiani Kristina Gjerde US Fundraising Senior High Seas Policy Advisor [email protected] Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA [email protected] Vamizi Marine Conservation Center, Mozambique Olof Linden Giacomo Abrusci Senior Scientist Founder and Editor-in-Chief, SEVENSEAS Ellie Norris Joana Trindade Malmö, Sweden Global Marine Community Americas Island Manager Conservation Community Manager [email protected] [email protected] Vamizi island Vamizi island [email protected] Ameer Abdulla Senior Advisor, Marine Bio- diversity and Conservation Isabel da Silva Cardoso Lopez Science Research Coordinator Community Officer Vamizi island Vamizi island

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