Karan, L.,Clark, N.
A Path to Creating the First Generation of High Seas Protected Areas Technical Report
no. 130, 2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, biodiversity, Gulf of Guinea, high seas, Madagascar, Marine Protected Area, Mascarene Islands, migration
@techreport{,
title = {A Path to Creating the First Generation of High Seas Protected Areas},
author = {Karan, L.,Clark, N.},
url = {https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2020/03/a-path-to-creating-the-first-generation-of-high-seas-protected-areas},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
number = {130},
pages = {42},
publisher = {Pew Charitable Trusts},
abstract = {Beyond the horizon, more than 200 nautical miles from shore, lies an area of the ocean known as the high seas.
These waters, beyond the jurisdiction of any nation, make up roughly two-thirds of the ocean and cover nearly
half of the planet’s surface. Much is still to be learned about these areas, but scientists know they teem with life
and are among the largest reservoirs of ocean biodiversity. The high seas support abundant fisheries; provide
habitat and migratory routes for whales, sharks, sea turtles, and seabirds; and harbor remarkable ecosystems,
such as deep-water corals and other majestic marine life.
The high seas are also an increasingly busy space; rapid advances in technology and increasing demand for
goods and trade in recent decades mean virtually no part of the ocean—including these waters far from shore—
remains untouched by human industrial activity. Currently, a patchwork of different regional and sectoral
organizations manages this last global common space with little coordination among organizations, and that
is leading to the degradation of the marine environment and its resources. These areas belong to everyone, yet
governments currently have no comprehensive legal mechanism in place to protect high seas marine life.
There is an opportunity for this to change. Negotiations are under way at the United Nations to finalize a new
high seas treaty focused on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national
jurisdiction. The treaty could allow nations to establish comprehensive, cross-sector marine protected areas
(MPAs) on the high seas. These areas, when well-managed, can be effective tools in building ocean resilience
to climate change, avoiding fisheries collapse, and preserving biodiversity. Currently, less than 1 per cent of
high seas waters are highly protected, but scientific evidence suggests that protecting at least 30 per cent of
the ocean is more likely to achieve long-term ocean health objectives.1 High seas MPAs can play a key role in
reaching this target.
Although there is much still to discover, scientists have sufficient data and research to begin mapping and
modeling hot spots of biodiversity on the high seas.2 This report identifies some of the special places that could
benefit from protections established under a new high seas treaty. The findings build off a project funded by The
Pew Charitable Trusts and led by scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) in conjunction
with partners from 13 universities and organizations. Using an algorithm that allows for consideration of
multiple factors, researchers developed a data-driven analysis to identify areas in the high seas of outstanding
conservation value.
The 10 sites highlighted represent areas with a spectrum and combination of important features, such as
species richness, productivity, and habitat diversity. They are located in oceans that span the globe.
This report also includes recommendations to inform the negotiations under way to finalize a new legally
binding international agreement. The agreement should ensure the establishment of effective high seas
protections, including by setting meaningful conservation objectives and requiring enforceable management
plans for these critical waters beyond the jurisdiction of any single nation. },
keywords = {Arabian Sea, biodiversity, Gulf of Guinea, high seas, Madagascar, Marine Protected Area, Mascarene Islands, migration},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
Beyond the horizon, more than 200 nautical miles from shore, lies an area of the ocean known as the high seas.
These waters, beyond the jurisdiction of any nation, make up roughly two-thirds of the ocean and cover nearly
half of the planet’s surface. Much is still to be learned about these areas, but scientists know they teem with life
and are among the largest reservoirs of ocean biodiversity. The high seas support abundant fisheries; provide
habitat and migratory routes for whales, sharks, sea turtles, and seabirds; and harbor remarkable ecosystems,
such as deep-water corals and other majestic marine life.
The high seas are also an increasingly busy space; rapid advances in technology and increasing demand for
goods and trade in recent decades mean virtually no part of the ocean—including these waters far from shore—
remains untouched by human industrial activity. Currently, a patchwork of different regional and sectoral
organizations manages this last global common space with little coordination among organizations, and that
is leading to the degradation of the marine environment and its resources. These areas belong to everyone, yet
governments currently have no comprehensive legal mechanism in place to protect high seas marine life.
There is an opportunity for this to change. Negotiations are under way at the United Nations to finalize a new
high seas treaty focused on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national
jurisdiction. The treaty could allow nations to establish comprehensive, cross-sector marine protected areas
(MPAs) on the high seas. These areas, when well-managed, can be effective tools in building ocean resilience
to climate change, avoiding fisheries collapse, and preserving biodiversity. Currently, less than 1 per cent of
high seas waters are highly protected, but scientific evidence suggests that protecting at least 30 per cent of
the ocean is more likely to achieve long-term ocean health objectives.1 High seas MPAs can play a key role in
reaching this target.
Although there is much still to discover, scientists have sufficient data and research to begin mapping and
modeling hot spots of biodiversity on the high seas.2 This report identifies some of the special places that could
benefit from protections established under a new high seas treaty. The findings build off a project funded by The
Pew Charitable Trusts and led by scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) in conjunction
with partners from 13 universities and organizations. Using an algorithm that allows for consideration of
multiple factors, researchers developed a data-driven analysis to identify areas in the high seas of outstanding
conservation value.
The 10 sites highlighted represent areas with a spectrum and combination of important features, such as
species richness, productivity, and habitat diversity. They are located in oceans that span the globe.
This report also includes recommendations to inform the negotiations under way to finalize a new legally
binding international agreement. The agreement should ensure the establishment of effective high seas
protections, including by setting meaningful conservation objectives and requiring enforceable management
plans for these critical waters beyond the jurisdiction of any single nation.
These waters, beyond the jurisdiction of any nation, make up roughly two-thirds of the ocean and cover nearly
half of the planet’s surface. Much is still to be learned about these areas, but scientists know they teem with life
and are among the largest reservoirs of ocean biodiversity. The high seas support abundant fisheries; provide
habitat and migratory routes for whales, sharks, sea turtles, and seabirds; and harbor remarkable ecosystems,
such as deep-water corals and other majestic marine life.
The high seas are also an increasingly busy space; rapid advances in technology and increasing demand for
goods and trade in recent decades mean virtually no part of the ocean—including these waters far from shore—
remains untouched by human industrial activity. Currently, a patchwork of different regional and sectoral
organizations manages this last global common space with little coordination among organizations, and that
is leading to the degradation of the marine environment and its resources. These areas belong to everyone, yet
governments currently have no comprehensive legal mechanism in place to protect high seas marine life.
There is an opportunity for this to change. Negotiations are under way at the United Nations to finalize a new
high seas treaty focused on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national
jurisdiction. The treaty could allow nations to establish comprehensive, cross-sector marine protected areas
(MPAs) on the high seas. These areas, when well-managed, can be effective tools in building ocean resilience
to climate change, avoiding fisheries collapse, and preserving biodiversity. Currently, less than 1 per cent of
high seas waters are highly protected, but scientific evidence suggests that protecting at least 30 per cent of
the ocean is more likely to achieve long-term ocean health objectives.1 High seas MPAs can play a key role in
reaching this target.
Although there is much still to discover, scientists have sufficient data and research to begin mapping and
modeling hot spots of biodiversity on the high seas.2 This report identifies some of the special places that could
benefit from protections established under a new high seas treaty. The findings build off a project funded by The
Pew Charitable Trusts and led by scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) in conjunction
with partners from 13 universities and organizations. Using an algorithm that allows for consideration of
multiple factors, researchers developed a data-driven analysis to identify areas in the high seas of outstanding
conservation value.
The 10 sites highlighted represent areas with a spectrum and combination of important features, such as
species richness, productivity, and habitat diversity. They are located in oceans that span the globe.
This report also includes recommendations to inform the negotiations under way to finalize a new legally
binding international agreement. The agreement should ensure the establishment of effective high seas
protections, including by setting meaningful conservation objectives and requiring enforceable management
plans for these critical waters beyond the jurisdiction of any single nation.
Soultan, Alaaeldin,Wikelski, Martin,Safi, Kamran
Risk of biodiversity collapse under climate change in the Afro-Arabian region Journal Article
In: Scientific Reports, vol. 9, no. 236, pp. 955, 2019, ISBN: 2045-2322.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabia, Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, biodiversity, Climate change, conservation status, extinction, IUCN Red List, Threat assessment
@article{,
title = {Risk of biodiversity collapse under climate change in the Afro-Arabian region},
author = {Soultan, Alaaeldin,Wikelski, Martin,Safi, Kamran},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-37851-6},
issn = {2045-2322},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
volume = {9},
number = {236},
pages = {955},
abstract = {For 107 endemic mammal species in the Afro-Arabian region, Sahara-Sahel and Arabian Desert, we used ensemble species distribution models to: (1) identify the hotspot areas for conservation, (2) assess the potential impact of the projected climate change on the distribution of the focal species, and (3) assign IUCN threat categories for the focal species according to the predicted changes in their potential distribution range. We identified two main hotspot areas for endemic mammals: the Sinai and its surrounding coastal area in the East, and the Mediterranean Coast around Morocco in the West. Alarmingly, our results indicate that about 17% of the endemic mammals in the Afro-Arabian region under the current climate change scenarios could go extinct before 2050. Overall, a substantial number of the endemic species will change from the IUCN threat category “Least Concern” to “Critically Endangered” or “Extinct” in the coming decades. Accordingly, we call for implementing an urgent proactive conservation action for these endemic species, particularly those that face a high risk of extinction in the next few years. The results of our study provide conservation managers and practitioners with the required information for implementing an effective conservation plan to protect the biodiversity of the Afro-Arabian region.},
keywords = {Arabia, Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, biodiversity, Climate change, conservation status, extinction, IUCN Red List, Threat assessment},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
For 107 endemic mammal species in the Afro-Arabian region, Sahara-Sahel and Arabian Desert, we used ensemble species distribution models to: (1) identify the hotspot areas for conservation, (2) assess the potential impact of the projected climate change on the distribution of the focal species, and (3) assign IUCN threat categories for the focal species according to the predicted changes in their potential distribution range. We identified two main hotspot areas for endemic mammals: the Sinai and its surrounding coastal area in the East, and the Mediterranean Coast around Morocco in the West. Alarmingly, our results indicate that about 17% of the endemic mammals in the Afro-Arabian region under the current climate change scenarios could go extinct before 2050. Overall, a substantial number of the endemic species will change from the IUCN threat category “Least Concern” to “Critically Endangered” or “Extinct” in the coming decades. Accordingly, we call for implementing an urgent proactive conservation action for these endemic species, particularly those that face a high risk of extinction in the next few years. The results of our study provide conservation managers and practitioners with the required information for implementing an effective conservation plan to protect the biodiversity of the Afro-Arabian region.
Wabnitz, Colette C. C.,Lam, Vicky W. Y.,Reygondeau, Gabriel,Teh, Lydia C. L.,Al-Abdulrazzak, Dalal,Khalfallah, Myriam,Pauly, Daniel,Palomares, Maria L. Deng,Zeller, Dirk,Cheung, William W. L.
Climate change impacts on marine biodiversity, fisheries and society in the Arabian Gulf Journal Article
In: PLOS ONE, vol. 13, no. 494, pp. e0194537, 2018.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabia, Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, biodiversity, Climate change, diversity, economic impact, Fisheries, Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman
@article{,
title = {Climate change impacts on marine biodiversity, fisheries and society in the Arabian Gulf},
author = {Wabnitz, Colette C. C.,Lam, Vicky W. Y.,Reygondeau, Gabriel,Teh, Lydia C. L.,Al-Abdulrazzak, Dalal,Khalfallah, Myriam,Pauly, Daniel,Palomares, Maria L. Deng,Zeller, Dirk,Cheung, William W. L.},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194537},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {PLOS ONE},
volume = {13},
number = {494},
pages = {e0194537},
publisher = {Public Library of Science},
abstract = {Climate change–reflected in significant environmental changes such as warming, sea level rise, shifts in salinity, oxygen and other ocean conditions–is expected to impact marine organisms and associated fisheries. This study provides an assessment of the potential impacts on, and the vulnerability of, marine biodiversity and fisheries catches in the Arabian Gulf under climate change. To this end, using three separate niche modelling approaches under a ‘business-as-usual’ climate change scenario, we projected the future habitat suitability of the Arabian Gulf (also known as the Persian Gulf) for 55 expert-identified priority species, including charismatic and non-fish species. Second, we conducted a vulnerability assessment of national economies to climate change impacts on fisheries. The modelling outputs suggested a high rate of local extinction (up to 35% of initial species richness) by 2090 relative to 2010. Spatially, projected local extinctions are highest in the southwestern part of the Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While the projected patterns provided useful indicators of potential climate change impacts on the region’s diversity, the magnitude of changes in habitat suitability are more uncertain. Fisheries-specific results suggested reduced future catch potential for several countries on the western side of the Gulf, with projections differing only slightly among models. Qatar and the UAE were particularly affected, with more than a 26% drop in future fish catch potential. Integrating changes in catch potential with socio-economic indicators suggested the fisheries of Bahrain and Iran may be most vulnerable to climate change. We discuss limitations of the indicators and the methods used, as well as the implications of our overall findings for conservation and fisheries management policies in the region.},
keywords = {Arabia, Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, biodiversity, Climate change, diversity, economic impact, Fisheries, Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Climate change–reflected in significant environmental changes such as warming, sea level rise, shifts in salinity, oxygen and other ocean conditions–is expected to impact marine organisms and associated fisheries. This study provides an assessment of the potential impacts on, and the vulnerability of, marine biodiversity and fisheries catches in the Arabian Gulf under climate change. To this end, using three separate niche modelling approaches under a ‘business-as-usual’ climate change scenario, we projected the future habitat suitability of the Arabian Gulf (also known as the Persian Gulf) for 55 expert-identified priority species, including charismatic and non-fish species. Second, we conducted a vulnerability assessment of national economies to climate change impacts on fisheries. The modelling outputs suggested a high rate of local extinction (up to 35% of initial species richness) by 2090 relative to 2010. Spatially, projected local extinctions are highest in the southwestern part of the Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While the projected patterns provided useful indicators of potential climate change impacts on the region’s diversity, the magnitude of changes in habitat suitability are more uncertain. Fisheries-specific results suggested reduced future catch potential for several countries on the western side of the Gulf, with projections differing only slightly among models. Qatar and the UAE were particularly affected, with more than a 26% drop in future fish catch potential. Integrating changes in catch potential with socio-economic indicators suggested the fisheries of Bahrain and Iran may be most vulnerable to climate change. We discuss limitations of the indicators and the methods used, as well as the implications of our overall findings for conservation and fisheries management policies in the region.