CPPS’s opportunities in the context off an Integrated Regional Ocean Policy Patricio A. Bernal PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE

A black hole of information The largest gap of of data and information on biodiversity and ecosystem structure in the world is located in the South Pacific. There is a commonality of the physical oceanographic processes affecting the whole South Pacific basin: ENSO, PDO, W-E energy flows (storms tracks, etc.) There are shared stocks and straddling stocks that are fished by coastal nations. Strong food chain relationships exist between high seas and coastal populations.

Oceans are still little & unevenly unexplored, most information near shore, near rich countries red = many records, dark blue and white none In 2005 we had around 5 million records on marine biodiveristy. On 26 June 2014 new data was loaded on the international OBIS portal, the total number of records stands now at just over million, from 1,557 individual data sets.

Summary distributions of top predators: connectivity Blue Highways and neighborhoods of the Pacific Source: CoML TOPP Project Bluefin tuna Leatherback turtles White shark

Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas: EBSAs Areas of high biodiversity Areas of special importance for the life history of a species Areas of significant naturalness Areas of uniqueness or rarity

EBSA’s South East Pacific

ICES, PICES,…..SPICES? Progress in the understanding of Oceans has developed through international cooperation. This cooperation require of appropriate and permanent institutional arrangements. These exist in the North Atlantic (ICES 1902) and in the North Pacific (PICES) Lack of a permanent organization in the South Pacific for scientific cooperation. There is readyness in the international scientific community concerned to act.

First SPICES meeting scientists from government and academic institutions from Australia, Canada, Chile, England, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Uruguay and the USA, met in Concepción, Chile at the SPICES Symposium, 7-10 January Agree to establish South Pacific Integrated Ecosystem studies network.

The “Galapagos declaration” and previous agreements. CPPS member states have committed to cooperate in the protection of the marine environment and its ecosystems within and beyond their national jurisdictions. Scientific research is a right guaranteed by UNCLOS in the high seas. A “low-hanging fruit” for CPPS is to host, organize and undertake the study of the biodiversity and large scale ecosystems of the South East Pacific, that have strong connection with the coastal ecosystems. This could take the form of a 5 year Scientific Program.

SPRFMO

Why to invest in research beyond national jurisdiction? There are highly migratory species, and stradling stocks exploited by coastal states within and beyond national jurisdiction. Recruitment areas of coastal species are located within and beyond national jurisdiction. All these “ecological services” will be affected by climate change, and by the unregulated used of third party nations. The study of biological, genetic and ecological connectivity between the populations and ecosystems within and beyond national jurisdiction is a must.

CPPS potential role During the last 30 years, the CPPS region has developed significant scientific capabilities in governmental and academic institutions. These capabilities have not been convened by CPPS (except for the ENSO program) since the demise of COCIC. CPPS can develop again a strong scientific component focused on large scale ecosystems and biodiversity This activity is complementary the management function of RFMOs and coud provide data and information relevant for their management role. On this basis, CPPS could sustain a strong cooperative link with both RFMOs operating in the South East Pacific: SPRFMO and IATTC.

Thank you

Topics Discussed at SPICES-I Session 1: Towards climate indices and regional models (downscaling) to study climate variability and change in the South Pacific. Session 2. Assessing species-specific responses to climate variability and change Session 3. Assessing ecosystem responses to climate variability and change Session 4. Climate variability and change: Impact on fisheries and coastal communities Session 5. Managing fisheries and ecosystems under a variable and changing climate Session 6. Marine and Antarctic ecosystem programs: EBFM, MPA, policies, and governance in a changing climate framework