The document discusses the management of large marine ecosystems (LMEs), which cover vast ocean areas and are crucial for global fish production and biodiversity. It highlights challenges such as overfishing, pollution, and loss of biodiversity, along with the need for a governance framework and stakeholder engagement to reconcile local, national, and regional priorities. Recommendations include creating a handbook for LME management, improving ecosystem valuation, and incorporating targets for stock restoration and marine protected areas.

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

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