TDA/SAP Methodology Training Course Module 2 Section 3
Large Marine Ecosystems Track 2
1. Large Marine Ecosystems
Track 2
• Chairs: Ken Sherman, Mick O’Toole
• Facilitators: David Laroche, Andy Hudson
• Rapporteur: Marea Hatziolos
• Panelists: Mick O’Toole, Edwin Barnes,
Marcelo Hergo, Ricardo Medina, Nicole
Glineur , Inesis Kis Kis, Jan Thulin, Tang
Qisheng
2. WSSD Mandate
for Coastal and Ocean
Governance
• Program of Action endorses ecosystem
based approach to management
• Sets targets for restoration of depleted fish
stocks by 2015 and Representative Systems
of MPAs by 2012
• Promotes Integrated Coastal Management
3. Large Marine Ecosystems
• Large areas of the ocean (>200,000 km²)
• Characterized by distinct bathymetry,
hydrography, productivity and trophic
interactions
• Produce 95% of the world’s fish catch
and encompass the highest concentration
of marine biodiversity
4.
5. Challenges and Experience in Applying
LME Approach
•Scale (Guinea Current, 15 countries, Baltic)
•Scope (Assessing and Prioritizing Key Threats)
•Pollution
•Overfishing
– Changes in trophic dynamics
– and community structure
•Pollution
– Eutrophication
– Toxic/Industrial Waste
•Loss of Biodiversity
•Loss of ecosystem goods and services loss of
economic, social and environmental sustainability
6. Challenges (cont.)
• Reaching Consensus on a Program of
Action (reconciling local and national
priorities with regional ones)
• Creating a Governance Framework
• Information-based Decision-making
– Assessment and monitoring, economic
valuation, cost/benefit analysis, benefit
flows
– Interpreting this to stakeholders
7. Key Lessons Learned
LME approach:
• requires endorsement at highest levels
• can bring stakeholders together across
socio-economic scales, cultural and
governance traditions regional
integration (“sustainability science”)
– takes considerable time and effort
• Should build capacity w/in region
– for technical and financial sustainability
• Has potential for strong synergy with other
LME projects to maximize impact in area
– East Asian Seas, West & East Coasts of Africa
8. Recommendations to GEF Family
• Develop simple, concise handbook for LME approach;
GEF/IAs to streamline procedures
• Factor in appropriate time scales ~ 10 years
--Organization/Implementation phase ~ 5 yrs
--Operational phase ~ 5 yrs
•Improve valuation of ecosystem goods and services
•Strengthen incorporation of outcome indicators at LME
project & program levels
•Enhance synergies between LME Projects
• Share information and best practice
•Incorporate WSSD targets for ecosystem mg’t, restoration
of depleted fish stocks, establishment of MPAs, adoption of
ICM
Editor's Notes
Panelists from the following LMEs: Benguela Current, Guinea Current, Rio de la Plata (Patagonian Shelf and Brazilian Coastal LMEs), Balti Sea, Yellow Sea
The Large Marine Ecosystem Approach is consistent with this guidance and provides a framework for regional collaboration at a scale large enough to address threats to the sustainability of transboundary marine ecoystems, and the goods and services they provide. LMEs are large areas of the ocean (>200,000 km squared) characterized by distinct bathymetry, hydrography, productivity and trophic interactions. They annually produce 95% of the world’s fish catch and encompass the bulk of marine biodiversity. There are currently 65 LMEs in the World’s oceans, 21 of them eligible for GEF assistance. (insert map of LMEs).
1. One should think in Program terms. Mandate for a particular Project may come from political process external to the project, as in the Peace Process in the Gulf of Aqaba, Environmental Program for Baltic and the Helsinki Commission, or other relevant conventions (such as Abidjan, Nairobi). One needs to take advantage of this for establishing the necessary Institutional Framework to implement the Project and ensuring the sustainability of the effort beyond the life of the individual project.
2.