1. New Biogeographic process
Natura 2000 seminars
To help MS meet target 1 of the 2020 Biodiversity Strategy
“To halt the deterioration in the status of all species and habitats covered by EU nature legislation and achieve a significant and measurable improvement in their status so that, by 2020, compared to current assessments:
(i) 100% more habitat assessments and 50% more species assessments under the Habitats Directive show an improved conservation status; and
(ii) 50% more species assessments under the Birds Directive show a secure or improved status.”
To encourage greater cooperation between MS at a biogeographical level
A voluntary process

2. Jones-Walters, L. (2012) Natura 2000 Seminars
Jones-Walters, L. (2012) Natura 2000 Seminars. Introduction to the New Biogeographic Process. ECNC, ARCADIS Belgium, Aspen International, CEH, ILE SAS.

3. Communication platform

4. Some lessons learnt from terrestrial
More emphasis on the outcomes and benefits so more focus on the strategic targets and objectives of the exercise
Avoid time spent discussing general issues and collecting information already generally know. A more strategic focus e.g. on 3-4 key issues
Retain emphasis on practical management issues
Link to the Art. 17 reporting process
Steering groups have played a useful role in ensuring focus on priority issues
Care with shifting emphasis and workload towards stakeholder networks

5. A new marine biogeographic process?
Link to 2020 Biodiversity Strategy - Target 1
Must have clear EU added value & be beneficial to MS
Objectives need to be set
Strategic
Focused

6. A new marine biogeographic process?
Key question: how best to achieve FCS?
Issue-specific as well as habitat/species-specific basis
Consideration across all four marine regions
Cross-cutting issues and problems
Recommendations & joint action points

7. Themes – some possibilities
Setting clear conservation objectives
Conservation/management approaches for marine habitats/species
Understanding natural change compared to anthropogenic change
Understanding the pressure/activity – state relationship
Recognise knowledge gaps
Managing fisheries in Natura 2000 sites
Assessing financing and resources
Integration with other policies
Identifying subjects for EU level research

8. Structure - some possibilities
Regional meetings
Workshops
Seminars
Collaborative working papers
Guidance/handbooks
Joint agreements
Joint projects

9. Structure – practical considerations
Who takes the lead
Links with Regional Seas Conventions
Links with existing networks
Timescales …

10. Structure - some options
A similar process to that which has been initiated for terrestrial biogeographic regions
A one-off seminar with regional themes, to explore how best to tackle marine biogeographical issues in the management of the Natura network.
Refocusing the role of the Marine Experts Group to give greater consideration of biogeographical considerations
Extend the series of technical habitat management models (that were produced in 2006) to cover management and actions for marine habitat types, each of which could include region specific considerations
Continue with existing arrangements for sharing expertise and developing ideas on achieving favourable conservation status for marine habitats and species.
Combinations possible

11. Structure - some options
Potential Opportunities
Potential Constraints A
As terrestrial
* Targeted support for biogeographic work * Focus on issues of regional importance * Helping to build regional networks * Opportunity to contribute national information to a regional understanding of issues * Agree joint actions/roadmap for implementation
* Limited capacity to participate in the process (time, personnel etc.) * Lessons learnt mostly communicated within the region * Potential replication of the work of existing networks * No exploration of cross-cutting issues across all marine regions * No agreement on joint actions across all marine regions * Less scope to contribute national information to an EU wide understanding of FCS for marine habitats and species B
One-off seminar with regional themes
* Testing demand and scope for a biogeographic focus to Natura 2000 work * Possible within existing capacity? * Complimentary to existing networks * Opportunity to contribute national information to a regional understanding of issues * Agree joint actions/roadmap for implementation
* Additional to the existing work of the MEG * Insufficient time for detailed consideration of regional issues * Potential overlap with other MPA regional seminars/ conferences C
Habitat management technical reports
* Focus on habitats of concern * Bringing together best practice from all relevant biogeographic regions * Opportunity to contribute national information to a regional and EU wide understanding of issues * Documented output
* Limited opportunity to build networks and exchange experience * Habitat focus may not pick up or give sufficient emphasis to more general themes which could assist implementation (data requirements, enforcement methods etc.) * need more time to cover a number of habitats unless done in parallel? D
Refocus MEG
* Uses existing structure * Uses existing networks * Opportunity to contribute national information to a regional and EU wide understanding of issues * Agree joint actions/roadmap for implementation
* Other issues currently considered by MEG would be given less attention * Still insufficient time for consideration of regional issues as only one meeting a year E
No change
* Work within existing structures (MEG, liaison with regional conventions and networks etc.) * No additional capacity issues * Uses existing networks
* Insufficient time for consideration of regional issues * Working through existing regional networks that have different priorities * lost opportunity for new momentum to deliver FCS