Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems Database

Vema

Geographical reference Southeast Atlantic

Management Body/Authority South East Atlantic Organisation (SEAFO)

Area Type Closed area (SEAFO)

Closed since 2007-01-01

Habitat and Biology

Physical description of the environment: Only 1 seamount >2000m (SC Report 2010, p. 10). Impacts

Considered exploited in 2006 (SC Report 2006, p. 17) and only slightly exploited in 2010 (SC Report 2010, p. 18)

Map

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Disclaimer The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries. Dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement.

Management

Measures specific to this area

All fishing activities for fisheries resources covered by the SEAFO Convention shall be prohibited from 1 January 2011 in the areas defined in Annex 1 of this Conservation Measure. Area: (Vema Seamount), Number 6 on the attached map – considered to be, slightly exploited., Coordinates: 31o27’S 08o06’E, 31o27’S 08o35’E, 31o53’S 08o35’E, 31o53’S 08o06’E (CM 18/10)

Period in force: 2011-01-01 to 2015-02-08 Source of information SEAFO. 2010. Conservation Measures 18/10 on the Management of Vulnerable Deep Water Habitats and Ecosystems in the SEAFO Convention Area. 5 pp. http://www.seafo.org/media/b7fab4e0-3ce9-44ef-82a6- f4ced6c92886/SEAFOweb/CM/open/eng/CM18-10_pdf Commission 2010

SEAFO. 2010. Report of the 7th Annual Meeting of the Commission, 2010. SEAFO, 152 pp. http://www.seafo.org/media/24693adc-f546-42cc-b294- 649425a52842/SEAFOweb/pdf/COMM/open/eng/Annual%20Commission%20Report%202010 Commission 2010 11 Oct 2010 - 15 Oct 2010 The SC reported that they had developed a fishing footprint based on the historical fishing data submitted by CPs [8.5]. The NOCS mapping of hydrographic features showed that current information was of variably quality and that all features rising above 1000m should be considered for protection [8.6]. SC reviewed CM 6/6 on seamount closures and recommended changes [8.7] and the Commission agreed to close 11 seamounts [8.8.5, Annex 6]. It was agreed to pay the author for the and ID guide [13.1].Commission SEAFO. 2010. Report of the SEAFO Scientific Committee 2010. SEAFO, 52 pp. http://www.seafo.org/media/180d4218-1954-4d4c-b440- 322b9b3d4ef2/SEAFOweb/pdf/SC/open/eng/SC%20Report%202010_pdf Scientific Committee 2010 04 Oct

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department 2010 - 09 Oct 2010 SC commented on some of the outcomes of the Performance Review [6.Sec.4.1.2, 6.6]. SC reviewed CM 06/06 on vulnerable deep-water habitats and ecosystems and made several recommendations including revising the closures [8, 15.5, Annex VI]. SC also reviewed CM 17/09 on bottom fishing activities and elaborated on the fishing footprint and threshold and encounter protocols [9]. SC also drafted rules for access and use of SEAFO data [Annex IV]. SEAFO. 2009. Report of the 6th Annual Meeting of the Commission, 2009. SEAFO, 176 pp. http://www.seafo.org/media/10e27843-60a9-46e2-bfa1- 27f59ceb2ff7/SEAFOweb/pdf/COMM/open/eng/Annual%20Commission%20Report%202009 Commission 2009 05 Oct 2009 - 08 Oct 2009 The Commission received a report on the bottom fishing/VME workshop [9.4] and adopted the coral and sponge key [10.7]. The requirement for CPs to submit fishing footprint data was re-iterated [10.4]. Encounter thresholds were revised to 800 kg live and 60 kg live (sic) [10.5] and the coral and sponge key adopted [10.7]. The effects of ALDFG could not be assessed [10.8]. SEAFO. 2009. Report of the SEAFO Scientific Committee, 2009. SEAFO, 78 pp. http://www.seafo.org/media/fb524e5f-13df-485e-87db- e74dd1eb5b9e/SEAFOweb/pdf/SC/open/eng/SC%20Report%202009_pdf Scientific Committee 2009 30 Sep 2009 - 02 Oct 2009 Sampling of total catch by observers according to protocol limited [6.d] that should be helped by the new coral-sponge key [14, 18.g]. The Spanish-Namibian survey will focus on Ewing seamount and Valdivia Bank [6.g] and progress reports on their last year’s work [10] and for the ECO-MAR project [9] were received. Historical fisheries data is almost partially complete [6.i, 18.n] and a format change is recommended [18.d]. Encounter threshold levels should be revised downwards. The FAO Deep-seas project was mentioned. [17]. It is recommended that a consultant by hired to produce a bathymetric map and bottom topography [18.f].

Management Body/Authority South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (SEAFO) The objective of South East Atlantic Organization (SEAFO) is to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources in SEAFO’s area of competence.

Web site http://www.seafo.org Regional Fishery Body fact sheet http://www.fao.org/fishery/rfb/SEAFO/en

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FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department