An international effort is underway to establish a representative system of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Southern Ocean to help provide for the long-term conservation of marine biodiversity in the region. Important to this undertaking is knowledge of the distribution of benthic assemblages. Here, our aim is to identify the areas where benthic marine assemblages are likely to differ from each other in the Southern Ocean including near-shore Antarctica. We achieve this by using a hierarchical spatial classification of ecoregions, bathomes and environmental types. Ecoregions are defined according to available data on biogeographic patterns and environmental drivers on dispersal. Bathomes are identified according to depth strata defined by species distributions. Environmental types are uniquely classified according to the geomorphic features found within the bathomes in each ecoregion. We identified 23 ecoregions and nine bathomes. From a set of 28 types of geomorphic features of the seabed, 562 unique environmental types were classified for the Southern Ocean. We applied the environmental types as surrogates of different assemblages of biodiversity to assess the representativeness of existing MPAs. We found that 12 ecoregions are not represented in MPAs and that no ecoregion has their full range of environmental types represented in MPAs. Current MPA planning processes, if implemented, will substantially increase the representation of environmental types particularly within 8 ecoregions. To meet internationally agreed conservation goals, additional MPAs will be needed. To assist with this process, we identified 107 spatially restricted environmental types, which should be considered for inclusion in future MPAs. Detailed supplementary data including a spatial dataset are provided.

The human affinity for aquatic species and environments is exemplified through the ubiquity of aquatic themed popular culture including a significant portion of global tourism providing access to places linked to aquatic environments. Yet this affinity does not appear to translate to the widespread support required for the achievement of ambitious aquatic biodiversity conservation goals. Achieving conservation goals is contingent upon broad awareness of the values of biodiversity and what can be done to conserve and use it sustainably as embodied by Aichi Biodiversity Target 1. This paper identifies seven lessons to support marine protected area (MPA) managers and ocean conservation professionals to implement programmes that “Inspire a New Generation” (ING) to learn about, value and conserve aquatic environments: (1) Prioritize Experience; (2) Embrace Technology; (3) Integrate; (4) Focus on Youth; (5) Make it Relevant; (6) Make it Positive; and (7) Engage Other Sectors. These lessons are discussed alongside examples of ING programmes from MPA management authorities and aquatic conservation organizations. The effective application of these lessons requires appropriate levels of institutional commitment and investment in order to achieve success in ING as a precursor to the achievement of aquatic conservation goals. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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