Q 52 - How to protect pelagic habitats?#

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Answers#

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ESE1 - Ecological toolkit#

Practices: Scoping Data collection and presentation Analysis and diagnosis Prioritisation and designation Implementation and management Monitoring and evaluation
Spatial scales: Transboundary / sea basin National
Protection regimes: Non-strict protection
Marine zones: Deep sea Offshore zone

Implementation details

  • Identify specificities and issues for each pelagic zone (e.g., environments are dynamic and ephemeral, species could present complex life cycles and occupy massive home ranges as they are higly mobiles), including relative key structuring species (from plancton to top predators including seabirds, sharks and cetaceans). This specifities make it particularly challenging to conserve and include both species of high conservative and economc interest (small pelagics such as anchovies and mackerels).

  • Temporality and physical parameters are a central problematic in pelagic ecosystems (nutrients, light, salinity, temperature, river input…), project current and future physical conditions in the area of interest. Identifiy areas under threats (where conditions will change the most) and climate refugia using anomalies analysis. Emphasis on terrestrial and marine linkages.

  • Identify favourable conditions of phytoplankton blooming to identify potential blooming areas based on physical layers adn anomalies analysis as pelagic habitats create the foundation for marine food webs, home to primary producers such as phytoplankton and microbes. These habitats are highly dynamic and exhibit swift responses to environmental variables such as large phytoplankton blooms.

  • Identify actual knowledge on connectivity, especially known larval and movement pathways.

  • Project vulnerability of species to relevant anthropogenic and climatic stressors (especially salinity and …) and, for mobile species, perform velocities analysis to determine potential migration roads under different climatic scenarios. Duplicate the approach to all the species of interest to switch to an ecosystem-based approach.

  • Implement all projections in a single tool (Marxan, PrioritiseR…) to define different MPA networks designs (prioritising facilitation of movements and integration of climate-smart areas while covering essential habitats for the life cycle, prioritising ecosystem stability and functionning) integrating all area-based management tools (EBSA, OECM, MPA…) in a single management framework. It aims to better conserve relevant species life-cycle (including larval and adult connectivity) and essential habitats without multiplying the number of MPA. Ensure that the measures are sufficient and the area managed through adaptive management.

  • Develop the network ensuring communication and alignement between the selected areas and enter in the trade-off phase following recommendations of ESE3.

  • Develop broaders less restrictive management levers than in the MPA per se (reduction of speed limit, gear restrictions, depredation structures…) to limit incidence of bycatch and stressors on key species between the protected areas based on international agreements.

  • Develop monitoring aspect.