Terms of Reference

Workshop on longterm monitoring of the health of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs)

International Governance Strategy (IGS) and Centre of Expertise for Aquatic Habitat Research (CAHR)

March 10-11, 2009
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Bedford Institute of Oceanography (Needler Boardroom)

Chair: Dr. Robert Gregory

Background

Vulnerable marine ecosystems are those components of the marine environment which are especially susceptible to anthropogenic disturbance from which recovery is expected to be long and not assured. The development of methodological and analytical tools which could be used in the long-term monitoring of the health of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) will be a significant step toward achieving Canada's UN commitments to manage fisheries in a sustainable manner and protect vulnerable ecosystems and biodiversity in the high seas (UNGA Resolution 61/105), as well as deliver on a commitment from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to establish a representative network of marine protected areas (MPAs) and to address significant aspects of Canada’s Heath Of The Oceans (HOTO) initiative.

The IGS Science Program is conducting scientific research to acquire, synthesize and interpret scientific data to better understand interactions between fisheries and their supporting ecosystems in support of decision making. Specific aspects being addressed by IGS under Table 3 of the program (i.e., Science in Support of Protecting High Seas Marine Habitat and Communities) include: understanding fishing interactions with sensitive marine areas and species, reducing by-catch of non-target species, improving selectivity of fishing operations, enabling the conduct of deep-sea fisheries in a responsible manner. The targeted outcomes of the IGS Science program have been established to support objective international policy debate and standard-setting by Canada and to contribute to international scientific cooperation.

IGS research under Table 3 is organized into four priority issues:

1. Identification of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) - Projects to support next steps in identification and mapping of VMEs, including research, surveys (particularly of benthic habitats and fish communities on potentially distinct features such as seamounts and continental slopes) and the development of rapid cost-effective methods for detecting VMEs;
2. Assessment of  the ecological footprint of fishing activities and mitigation of impacts for existing and exploratory fisheries - Projects to provide the basis for science advice on evaluation of significant adverse impacts and potential for recovery as well as projects to understand impacts of various fishing gears on VMEs; 
3. Encounter Protocols (i.e., risk of encounter with VMEs) –  Projects to assess the risk of encounter with VMEs; and,  
4. Science advice for the establishment of a network representative marine protected areas – The synthesis/analysis of available information facilitating review of existing biogeographic classifications to be used as a key input to the establishment of a representative network of high seas MPAs.

IGS funds have been provided to support data mining exercises, analysis and synthesis in support of research into these priority areas and identification of critical knowledge gaps. CAHR is leading several of these projects.

Workshop Objectives

This workshop will focus on reviewing and developing scientific methods for longterm monitoring of the health of VMEs.

Primary Objectives:

1. Present the context and rationale for current scientific methods for longterm monitoring of the health of marine habitats in offshore marine waters, specifically as these could relate to VMEs:
   • What specific techniques and analytical methods are used?
   • What is the context and specific purpose under which these techniques are implemented?
   • Who is using these techniques and analytical methods?
2. Present IGS needs for longterm monitoring tools, techniques, and analytical methods:
   • Why are longterm monitoring tools needed for VMEs?
   • Are these methods and analytical techniques relevant to VMEs or can they be modified or interpreted in ways better suited to VME detection and monitoring?; and,
   • What are the practical constraints?
3. Identify and obtain consensus on a shortlist of specific techniques and analytical methods useful in longterm monitoring the health of VMEs; and

Secondary Objective:

4. Identify gaps in knowledge of specific techniques which might direct further research effort toward refining the most promising techniques for longterm monitoring of VME health in subsequent IGS funding cycles, where appropriate.

Products

A CSAS Proceedings Document will be produced to summarize the workshop discussions and conclusions. The workshop will work toward a common goal of producing a consensus of opinion on techniques for longterm monitoring of VME health in offshore marine waters. If consensus cannot be achieved, a secondary objective will be to provide recommendations regarding methods exhibiting the most promise and further development or research necessary to develop and evaluate such techniques.

Participation

Participation of CAHR, Science (NHQ and Regions) and NHQ and Regional representation from FAM is expected.