Coral, Sponge, and Other Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem Indicator Identification Guide, NAFO Area

Kenchington, Ellen; Beazley, Lindsay; Murillo, F. Javier; MacDonald, G Tompkins; Baker, Emily

doi:10.2960/s.v47.m1

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Furthermore, the species addressed here are not endemic to the study area. All are found upstream, along the Labrador Shelf and Slope (Wang et al., 2020), and some also downstream to the west and southwest (e.g., Kenchington et al., 2022). Should there be significant larval subsidies from outside the study area, it would alter the consequences of simulated removal of patches, especially the more northerly ones.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…-S7). However, some of those 'sinks' (patches S6, LGC4, SGC1, BC5 and TU5) are near the downstream boundary of the study area and may supply larvae to patches within the Canadian EEZ, whereKenchington et al (2022) identified significant concentrations of the same taxa. Finally, nine of the 84 patches, including members of the large gorgonian coral, bryozoan, tunicate and black coral networks, were completely isolated (outdegree = indegree = 0;…”

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confidence: 99%

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Quantifying the effects of fragmentation of connectivity networks of deep‐sea vulnerable marine ecosystems

Wang,

Kenchington,

Murillo

et al. 2024

Diversity and Distributions

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AimProtection of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) in the high seas has focussed on identifying concentrations of indicator species and prohibiting the operation of bottom‐contact fishing gears where those occur in significant concentrations. Most such species have planktonic larvae and depend on dispersal networks for inter‐generational persistence. Yet, connectivity amongst patches of VME has seldom been considered when spatial management measures are introduced. Here, the relative importance of individual patches for the maintenance of their connectivity networks is evaluated, and a prioritization scheme for management action is proposed. Effective conservation measures should maintain approximately natural network configurations whenever possible.LocationGrand Bank and Flemish Cap, Northwest Atlantic Ocean.Methods3‐D Lagrangian particle tracking was used to model larval dispersal connections between known patches of each of seven groups of benthic invertebrate taxa, previously recognized as indicators of VME. Connectivity networks were constructed and the effects of habitat loss simulated by systematic removal of whole patches, to determine the importance of each patch to connectivity within its respective network.ResultsThe various patches differed widely in their contributions to network connectivity. Each taxon group had both some patches that, if removed from the network, would result in a major decline in connectedness but also several which could be lost with negligible consequences for the remainder.Main ConclusionsWhile protecting each patch of VME has conservation value, the wide variation in connectedness shows that some patches are much more critical than others to the long‐term persistence of the taxa, providing a foundation for prioritization of conservation actions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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confidence: 99%

Quantifying the effects of fragmentation of connectivity networks of deep‐sea vulnerable marine ecosystems

Wang,

Kenchington,

Murillo

et al. 2024

Diversity and Distributions

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“…Suborder Astrophorina). The references about size ranges were provided in the NAFO VME identification guide [25]. The map of Fig.…”

Section: Vmes Distribution and Extentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cold-water corals and deep-sea sponges by-catch mitigation: Dealing with groundfish survey data in the management of the northwest Atlantic Ocean high seas fisheries

et al. 2020

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The integration of survey data in the processes of the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations is a key step for conservation of deep-sea ecosystems and sustainable exploitation of deep-sea fisheries resources, including the mitigation of by-catch and discards of cold-water corals and deep-sea sponges, both considered by FAO as vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) indicator species. Information on corals and sponges from annual bottom trawl groundfish surveys in areas beyond national jurisdictions has been integrated into the "ecosystem management cycle" of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). Survey data have improved our knowledge on VMEs identification, distribution and extent, and has led to the proposal and implementation of conservation and management measures. These data have particular relevance to delineate and refine the boundaries of areas closed to commercial bottom fishing (14 closures), in order to prevent significant adverse impacts on VMEs, according to the mandate of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 61/105. Considering the European groundfish surveys in the NAFO Regulatory Area (high seas) as a case study, the paper presents an overview of how invertebrate catch data have been integrated into the fisheries management process as a basis to the implementation of VMEs closed areas. Fishing closures are considered effective spatial management measures to avoid by-catch and discards of cold-water corals and deep-sea sponges in commercial bottom fishing, mitigating the adverse impacts on deep-sea ecosystems.

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“…The identification of most VME indicator species and in particular of sponges is very challenging and is facilitated by the use of identification guides that have been produced by RFMOs for most regions e.g. Northwest Atlantic (Kenchington et al, 2015), Southeast Atlantic (Ramos et al, 2009), Mediterranean Sea (FAO, 2017a, b) and Indian Ocean (FAO, 2016). Due to these difficulties, VME indicators may be given at a higher taxonomic level, such as phylum Porifera in the Southeast Atlantic (South East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation, SEAFO), and classes hexactinellida and demospongiae in the Southern Ocean and south Pacific Ocean (Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, CCAMLR, and South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation, SPRFMO) or down to representative species in the Northwest and Northeast Atlantic (NAFO and NEAFC).…”

Section: Regional Measures For Protecting Sponges 41 Inclusion Of Sponges As Vme Indicator Species By the Rfmosmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such risk assessments will depend on improvements in data collection from fishing activity and NAFO has made recent progress in sponge species identification, in the requirement of reporting of haul by haul data from fishing activity as well as the addition of FAO observer codes to specific sponge species (NAFO CEM, 2005. NAFO updated its sponge identification guide in 2015 (Kenchington et al, 2015). To date, no additional measures have been agreed based on new indicator species and NAFO VME's are currently being reviewed by the Scientific Council with results on areas vulnerable to SAI's expected in 2021.…”

Section: Sponge Removal By Bottom Fisheriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technical measures and environmental risk assessments for deep-sea sponge conservation

2020

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The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO.

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Coral, Sponge, and Other Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem Indicator Identification Guide, NAFO Area

Abstract: On the cover: Various underwater photographs taken from within the NAFO Convention Area. Coral on top (Paragorgia arborea); Sponge on bottom: rock wall with several sponge and coral taxa.

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Quantifying the effects of fragmentation of connectivity networks of deep‐sea vulnerable marine ecosystems

Quantifying the effects of fragmentation of connectivity networks of deep‐sea vulnerable marine ecosystems

Cold-water corals and deep-sea sponges by-catch mitigation: Dealing with groundfish survey data in the management of the northwest Atlantic Ocean high seas fisheries

Technical measures and environmental risk assessments for deep-sea sponge conservation

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