Applying an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management: focus on seamounts in the southern Indian Ocean Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems Project

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Background FUNDING GEF Medium-size project (1 mio. USD) IMPLEMENTING AGENCY United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) FOCAL AREA International Waters STRATEGIC PROGRAMME Restoring and sustaining coastal and marine fish stocks and associated biological diversity DURATION April 2009 – October 2012

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Main co-funders and partners Institute of Zoology, London (~4 mio. USD) & SIODFA FAO EAF-Nansen Project (~ 800,000 USD) IMR, Norway Cooperation Agency, Norway Agulhas and Somali Current LME Project (150,000 USD) African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme Marine Ecology Lab, Reunion University (200,000 €) Southern Indian Ocean Deepsea Fishers Association

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Organigram Project Steering Committee UNDP IUCN FAO WCPA ZSL ASCLME SIODFA (observer) Project Management Unit (PMU) Project Coordinator Administrative Assistant / communications and guidance support Finance Officer PMU cooperates with these projects ASCLME SWIOFP ACEP PMU cooperates with these organisations SWIOFCIOCIOTCNairobi Convention Cruise Coordinator

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Overall goal “To apply an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management for biologically- globally significant and commercially-important areas beyond national jurisdiction in the southern Indian Ocean, focusing on seamounts, with a long-term aim to demonstrate innovative approaches to improve conservation and management of unique biodiversity and ecological resources in the high seas”

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Why SW Indian Ocean? Global database of coral records Predicted habitat suitability of stony corals on seamounts Global knowledge gap

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Governance and management gap Distribution of major fisheries on seamountsOnly large-scale conservation initiative No comprehensive conservation and management framework for the high seas of the Indian Ocean Fisheries Lack of implementation of existing instruments (e.g. UNCLOS, CBD, UNFSA, etc.), including UNGA resolution 61/105? SIOFA not yet in force Other threats (incl. climate change)

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Why seamounts? Hotspots of biodiversity Strong benthic- pelagic coupling Habitats for commercially- important species Vulnerability of species and ecosystems Risk linked to destructive fishing practices

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Project objectives Objective 1 – Biodiversity Assessment Improve scientific understanding and capacity for monitoring, assessment and analysis of high seas biodiversity and fisheries Objective 2 - Governance Enhance governance framework for high seas resources conservation and management Objective 3 - Management Identify management and compliance options for deep and high seas biodiversity in the southern Indian Ocean, based on precautionary and ecosystem-based approaches Objective 4 - Outreach Raise awareness of and share knowledge with policy makers, the fishing industry and the public regionally and internationally

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Project objectives (1) Biodiversity assessment Fishing activities’ impacts assessment Improve knowledge and understanding of seamounts A = Atlantis, B = Sapmer, C = Bridle, D = Melville, E = Coral Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge  5 seamount areas – all exclusively on the high seas  3 inside proposed BPAs (A, C & E)  2 outside BPAs (B & D) BPAs effectiveness assessment Capacity building

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 How & when Cruise 1 RV Dr. Fridtjof Nansen Aim: 40 days, November-December 2009 Focus: pelagic ecosystems and biodiversity, pelagic fishery resources and oceanography Some activities: -Acoustic and net-studies of zooplankton, micronekton, nekton and fish populations -Sampling of animals for studies of pelagic biodiversity, trophic ecology, genetics -Sampling of fish for analysis of species diversity, age / size structure of populations and genetics

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Cruise 2 Led by IOZ/ZSL on the James Cook (?) Aim: 40 days, end 2011 Focus: benthic ecosystems and biodiversity, benthic fishery resources and impact assessment of bottom fishing activities Some activities: -ROV-based surveys of seamounts to estimate abundance and diversity of the fauna -Some surface-based sampling to analyse the diversity of smaller organisms living on seamounts (those not visible with ROV cameras) -Collection of specimens for taxonomic identification, trophic ecology studies, reproductive biological studies, genetic studies, palaeooceanographic analyses

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Project objectives (2) Institutional and legal gap analysis (international to national); development of options for improvement and strengthening of legal and institutional framework for high seas resources in the Indian Ocean Fisheries situation analysis Identification and analysis of threats other than fisheries (2) Enhance governance framework for high seas resources conservation and management

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Project objectives (3) (3) Identify management and compliance options for deep and high seas biodiversity in the southern Indian Ocean, based on the ecosystem approach Identification of conservation and management options based on the precautionary and ecosystem approaches, and in line with res. 61/105 Identification of appropriate monitoring, control and surveillance systems to maximise compliance and enforcement Development of a draft management framework for high seas biodiversity and important high seas areas in the SIO

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Project objectives (4) Dissemination of information at relevant regional and international fora (policy briefs, research results, etc.) Liaison and exchange of information with relevant institutions (NGOs, scientific entities, international organisations, fisheries associations, international programmes, etc.) Communications Website & cruise blog Brochure Films, pictures, display Pictorial book Articles (media and specialised press) (3) Outreach

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 Where to next? Southwest Atlantic? Pacific? Whole Indian Ocean basin?

IUCN – Global Marine Programme SIODFA Meeting, Vigo, Spain, 14 September 2009 THANK YOU!