Marine protected areas in areas beyond national jurisdiction &lt;br&gt;The pioneering efforts under the OSPAR Convention

Molenaar, Erik Jaap; Elferink, Alex G. Oude

doi:10.18352/ulr.92

Cited by 35 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Coral reefs have been the dedicated focus of science and conservation efforts for decades (Dight and Scherl, 1997;Crosby et al, 2002;Klein et al, 2010;Hourigan, 2014). However, like many other marine ecosystems (Ortuño Crespo et al, 2019), they remain largely unexplored in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), where the water column is commonly known as the high seas, and the international seabed as the "Area" (Molenaar and Elferink, 2009;Gjerde et al, 2016). ABNJ are ocean areas where no one nation has sole management responsibility and hence international cooperation is essential.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coral Reefs of the High Seas: Hidden Biodiversity Hotspots in Need of Protection

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Coral reefs are widely regarded as one of the top science and conservation priorities globally, as previous research has demonstrated that these ecosystems harbor an extraordinary biodiversity, myriad ecosystem services, and are highly vulnerable to human stressors. However, most of this knowledge is derived from studies on nearshore and shallow-water reefs, with coral reef ecosystems remaining virtually unstudied in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), commonly known as the high seas. We reviewed information on the spatial distribution of reef-building corals throughout their depth range, and compiled a total of 537,782 records, including 116 unique records from ABNJ at depths between 218-5,647 m. The majority of reef-building coral records in ABNJ were in association with geomorphological features that have steep topographies. These habitats, which include escarpments, seamounts, and submarine ridges accounted for >74% of the records in international waters. Such geomorphological features, particularly those that occur within close proximity to the sea surface, should be prioritized for future scientific exploration. The majority of the reef-building coral records in ABNJ (>77%) were recorded in unprotected waters, and this study discusses the challenges and opportunities for protecting marine biodiversity in ABNJ. Finally, this study offers a definition of high seas coral reefs, and provides a framework to better understand and conserve these fragile ecosystems.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coral Reefs of the High Seas: Hidden Biodiversity Hotspots in Need of Protection

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Contracting Parties to the OSPAR Convention in the North‐east Atlantic established a network of six MPAs in ABNJ in 2010 (OSPAR Commission, ; see also Molenaar and Elferink, ; O'Leary et al , ; Freestone et al , ). OSPAR adopted a seventh MPA in 2012 (OSPAR Commission, ) and have also adopted guidelines for the management of the MPAs (OSPAR Commission, ).…”

Section: Regional Cross‐boundary and National Conservation Experiencmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protecting Earth's last conservation frontier: scientific, management and legal priorities for MPAs beyond national boundaries

Gjerde

Reeve

Harden‐Davies

et al. 2016

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT1. Marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) comprise most of Earth's interconnected ocean, hosting complex ecosystems that play key roles in sustaining life and providing important goods and services.2. Although ABNJ encompass nearly half the planet's surface, biological diversity found in these areas remains largely unprotected. Mounting pressures generated by the escalation of human activities in ABNJ threaten vital ecosystem services and the fragile web of life that supports them.3. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are widely acknowledged as an important tool for the conservation of biological diversity. Currently less than 1% of ABNJ are protected, with the vast majority of MPAs located in waters within national jurisdiction.4. The existing legal framework for protection and sustainable use of ABNJ lacks common goals, principles or standards, multi-sectoral coordination and comprehensive geographic coverage to ensure conservation or good governance grounded in science-based decision-making, transparency, accountability and effective enforcement.

show abstract

“…States also have a duty to protect rare and fragile ecosystems and the habitat of threatened species under UNCLOS Article 194 for the prevention of pollution of the marine environment and the duty to cooperate under Article 107. 55 According to Molenaar and Elferink (2009), MPAs can be established in ABNJ within the framework of UNCLOS on the basis of Article 194(5). 56 Article 194 (5) articulates the obligation to "protect and preserve rare or fragile ecosystems as well as the habitat of depleted, threatened or endangered species and other forms of marine life."…”

Section: Looking To the High Arctic: Legal Obligation For Mpas In Abnjsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protecting Arctic Ocean Marine Biodiversity in the Area Beyond National Jurisdiction

Hossain

Morris

2017

The Future of the Law of the Sea

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Marine protected areas in areas beyond national jurisdiction <br>The pioneering efforts under the OSPAR Convention

Abstract: authors would like to thank Harm Dotinga of NILOS for providing relevant background information.

Cited by 35 publications

References 1 publication

Coral Reefs of the High Seas: Hidden Biodiversity Hotspots in Need of Protection

Coral Reefs of the High Seas: Hidden Biodiversity Hotspots in Need of Protection

Protecting Earth's last conservation frontier: scientific, management and legal priorities for MPAs beyond national boundaries

Protecting Arctic Ocean Marine Biodiversity in the Area Beyond National Jurisdiction

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About