Evaluation of benthic assemblage structure in the NAFO regulatory area with regard to the protection of VME

This article presents the results from the analysis of data acquired during the NEREIDA survey programme (2009-2010) around the Flemish Cap and the tail of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland (NAFO Regulatory Area). Biological samples were collected using a mega box-core, which were processed for the extraction and identification of benthic macrofauna. A suite of physical samples and environmental measurements was also collected for evaluation. Analyses revealed the presence of benthic assemblages that were indicative of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME). VME indicative assemblages were present mostly outside of the fishing footprint. A simple habitat suitability model identified areas that are likely to accommodate VME indicative assemblages. Areas with the greatest potential to accommodate VME assemblages closely correspond with areas already managed for the protection of VME, where bottom-contact fishing practices are presently excluded. Such results support the notion that existing bottom-fishery exclusion zones should continue to be enforced for the long-term protection of VME.En prensa2,277

Reconstructing baselines: use of habitat suitability modelling to predict pre-fishing condition of a Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem

As industrialized fishing activities have moved into deeper water, the recognition of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) has become important for the protection of the deep-sea. Our limited knowledge on the past and present distribution of VMEs hinders our ability to manage bottom fisheries effectively. This study investigated whether accounting for bottom fishing intensity (derived from Vessel Monitoring System records) as a predictor in habitat suitability models can (1) improve predictions of, and (2) provide estimates for a pre-fishing baseline for the distribution and biomass of a VME indicator taxon. Random Forest models were applied to presence/absence and biomass of Geodia sponges and environmental variables with and without bottom fishing intensity. The models including fishing were further used to predict distribution and biomass of Geodia to a pre-fishing scenario. Inclusion of fishing pressure as a predictive term significantly improved model performance for both sponge presence and biomass. This study has demonstrated a way to produce a more accurate picture of the current distribution of VMEs in the study area. The pre-fishing scenario predictions also identified areas of suitable Geodia habitat that are currently impacted by fishing, suggesting that sponge habitat and biomass have been impacted by bottom trawling activities.1054-3139Versión del editor2,27

Patrones de diversidad de poliquetos en hábitats intermareales tropicales selectos

Few studies have quantitatively compared benthic macrofaunal assemblages between different tropical intertidal habitats over differing spatial scales. The present study uses spatially nested material from vegetated (seagrass) and non-vegetated (mudflat) habitats in SW Thailand to address this issue. Polychaetes were the numerically dominant component of benthic assemblages throughout the region, comprising over 74% of the total macrofauna. Despite great within-site and sample variation, based on species diversity, polychaete assemblages were mostly site-specific. Not so visibly obvious were the evident differences in polychaete assemblages between habitats. The spatial pattern of polychaete diversity is explored.Pocos estudios han comparado cuantitativamente el macrozoobentos entre diferentes hábitats intermareales tropicales a diferentes escalas espaciales. Para remediar esta situación, esta investigación utiliza y compara material colectado en praderas marinas y zonas sin vegetación en la costa suroeste de Tailandia a diferentes escalas espaciales. Los poliquetos formaron la mayor parte del zoobentos, constituyendo el 74% del total. Pese al alto nivel de variación entre muestras, basado en la diversidad de especies, los conjuntos de poliquetos mostraron mayor afinidad a su lugar de colecta. Diferencias entre cada hábitat, aunque difíciles de apreciar a simple vista, son corroboradas estadísticamente. Se exploran cambios en la diversidad asociados con cambios en la escala espacial. &nbsp

Deepening the decade: plumbing new depths at the ocean's science-policy-society nexus

The Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) is a global network of experts which integrates science, technology, policy, law and economics to advise on ecosystem-based management of resource use in the deep ocean, and on strategies to maintain the integrity of deep-ocean ecosystems within and beyond national jurisdiction. The DOSI vision is for healthy, resilient deep-ocean ecosystems, able to contribute to the wider Earth system through their sustainable and equitable management informed by robust scientific knowledge. DOSI delivers its vision by advancing and promoting science, by informing and influencing policy, and by enhancing capacity and collaboration.To date, the DOSI community comprises over 3,000 people from 115 countries, organised into 10 topic-specific Working Groups and served by a dedicated secretariat – the DOSI Office. DOSI is led by the DOSI Steering Committee and guided by an Advisory Board.The text around the edges of this poster highlights how DOSI is contributing towards the seven objectives of the UN Ocean Decade Conference through proactive engagement with national, regional and global scientific and political processes

Patterns of macrofaunal diversity of selected tropical intertidal sedimentary habitats

Ten sites at three locations (Northern, Central and Southern) along the SW cost of Thailand (8.1-9.6°N, 98.3-98.8°E) were sampled at low tide for macrofauna (i.e. organisms retained on a 0.5 mm sieve).  Each sampling site represented one of two selected intertidal sedimentary habitats: vegetated (with seagrass) or non-vegetated exposed tidal flats.  Mean macrofaunal densities (± 95% CI) at each sampling site ranged between 813 ± 213 individuals m-2 and 2,460 ± 909 ind. m-2.  Overall, polychaetes constituted 76% of the sampled macrofauna. 178 nominal species of polychaetes were identified, 116 of which could not be assigned to published taxonomic descriptions. 66% of all species were also considered rare. Most species displayed a random spatial distribution within each sampling site. Although each sampling site had a distinctly characteristic polychaete assemblage composition, no site was unique in having a statistically different polychaete species richness or diversity value (as measured by expH’, Simpson’s D and Pielou’s J’).  The Northern location, however, did have a lower diversity, evenness and higher dominance values than the Central and Southern locations. The principal factor determining polychaete assemblage composition at the sampling scale of the present study was the distance between sampling sites.  Over the maximum distance separating assemblages in the present study (c. 175 km), faunal similarity between assemblages was halved.  Overall, the diversity of the tropical sedimentary ecosystem studied was similar to that reported for other tropical sedimentary ecosystems and higher than that of temperate systems.</p

A new impetus for Particularly Sensitive Sea Area designation

Designation of 15 Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) by the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) has taken place over a period of 30 years (1990-2020). Each of these areas must qualify on its own merits, and is subject to collective scrutiny by the IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee and other relevant IMO technical committees. In principle, evidence must be presented to demonstrate that a sensitive and valuable site is vulnerable to adverse impacts from activities associated with international shipping, activities which can be addressed by an Associated Protective Measure within the purview of IMO. In practice, designation of PSSAs has taken place in a series of pulses stimulated by marine accidents, changes in legislation, and through revision of the IMO Guidelines. This article examines two case studies: the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the Philippines and the Banc d'Arguin in Mauritania. The impetus for both has been a desire by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO to reduce the vulnerability of marine World Heritage Sites and their recognised outstanding universal value' to the adverse impacts of international shipping activities. For Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the catalyst was high profile groundings of two vessels in the Spring of 2013. For Banc d'Arguin, it was a recognition of the migratory avifaunal links to Europe and a unique oceanic upwelling system. A wider study to make best use of data gathered by the Convention on Biological Diversity's process to describe Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas is also reviewed. The article concludes that this is a best practice example of marine governance, where the remits of UN agencies coincide and complement each other. Cooperation amongst agencies can provide for better protection and awareness-raising of the value of unique marine ecosystems. Recommendations are made to explore other opportunities for synergies

Towards an integrated approach to marine benthic monitoring

In the UK, most marine benthic monitoring is carried out in a piecemeal fashion, funded by different sectors of industry that utilise the marine environment under licence. Monitoring requirements are imposed by licence conditions, which can vary considerably between licences. The UK Government also conducts marine environmental surveys in support of its legislative commitments. The present investigation reviews these different monitoring approaches to highlight whether synergies between them could be developed into an integrated approach to marine benthic monitoring. An integrated approach would have ecological benefits, as greater consistency in sampling and analytical protocols would reduce uncertainty in the predictions of impact, and facilitate the assessment of Good Environmental Status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The same approach would also be of financial benefit, as spatio-temporal duplication in sampling would be reduced, and the value of acquired data would be maximised, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective approach

Spatial patterns in gravel habitats and communities in the central and eastern English Channel

The distribution of sediment type and benthic communities in the central and eastern English Channel is shown to be polarised around a distinctive local hydrodynamic feature. The seabed in the region includes an extensive area of gravel substrate which is both an important habitat for benthic marine fauna and a valuable source of material for the marine aggregate industry. Effective management of the area is predicated on an understanding of whether it represents a single homogeneous unit, or several different units that may need to be managed in different ways. The aim of this study was to provide information that would inform such management decisions. Spatial patterns in gravel habitats and communities were studied by investigating the physical environment through modelled and empirical data, and the distribution of infauna and epifauna along an east-west trending transect. A common spatial pattern was observed in both physical and biological parameters, but rather than indicating a simple longitudinal gradient, there was a distinct polarisation around a central feature, a bedload parting (BLP) zone situated between the Isle of Wight and Cotentin peninsula. Sediments and communities at the eastern and western ends of the transect were more similar to each other than to those in the middle. The strong hydrodynamic regime in the BLP area controls sediment distribution, transporting finer material, mainly sand, away from the mid transect area. The pattern in sand content of the substrate mirrors the magnitude of the potential bedload transport, which is complex in this region due to the interplay between the M 2 and M 4 tidal constituents and produced a series of erosional and depositional zones. The structure of benthic communities reflected the local substrate and hydrodynamic conditions, with sponges observed among the stable substrates and stronger currents that characterised the mid transect area, while infauna became more diverse towards the ends of the transect where substrates were more mobile. We conclude that the area should not be considered as a homogeneous unit for management purposes, despite its apparent uniformity on contemporary seabed sediment maps

A role for UNEP's Regional Seas Programme under the post-2020 global biodiversity framework

A case is put forward to make best use of UNEP's Regional Seas Programme (RSP) for the Convention on Biological Diversity's (CBD) post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF). A review of the work of the RSP's component Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAPs) highlights their potential for strengthening the marine and regional outlook of the GBF, as well as their current limitations. Recommendations are made to the CBD, the UNEP-RSP, its RSCAPs and to their member Parties/States to foster and further develop their mutually reinforcing roles in supporting a regional marine biodiversity dimension

Large-scale faunal characterisation of marine benthic sedimentary habitats around the UK

We present the findings of a large-scale study designed to characterise the benthic faunal assemblages inhabiting soft sedimentary habitats surrounding the British Isles. The number, variety and spatial variability of the organisms encountered are presented and analysed using a suite of standard univariate and multivariate analytical techniques. Triplicate grab sampling at 155 stations arranged in a grid pattern yielded over 68,000 organisms, representing 1123 taxa. Observed variations in faunal assemblage composition were driven predominantly by differences in environmental conditions, such as mean sediment particle size, stratification and tidal stress. Consequently, a similar faunal assemblage occurred wherever the same combination of environmental conditions were present. Despite the high level of variability of the various assemblage metrics observed between sampling stations, some trends in the data could be detected. Most assemblage metrics decreased in value with increasing latitude. Most diversity indices increased at greater depths, yet abundance and biomass decreased with depth. Mean abundance and biomass values per station were higher in the English Channel and in parts of the Irish and North Seas than elsewhere. The number, richness, diversity and evenness of taxa were higher in the South and West than in the North and East. Similarly, assemblage structure was most dissimilar between these two areas, each area harbouring a distinct macrofaunal community