1. Agenda Item 6.1 Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) Prof Nic Bax, CSIRO Australia

2. Outline Introduction Western South Pacific Caribbean and Western Mid Atlantic Northeast Atlantic Mediterranean Region Concluding comments

3. Credit: Halpern et al. 2008 (Science 319)

4. Life started in the oceans 90% of planet’s living biomass in oceans >50% animal phyla yet to make it to land New species being found daily Even new ecosystems ¾ of oceanic sharks & rays threatened or near threatened Deepwater coral 3850m Tasmania

6. Western South Pacific -GOODS Biogeographic boundaries modified by SPREP member territories -> 100m depth Marine Biodiversity Value – 10,000 islands covering 40 million sq km of ocean – Epicentre of marine biodiversity – Fisheries and tourism -Climate change -Ocean acidification Western South Pacific -GOODS Biogeographic boundaries modified by SPREP member territories -> 100m depth Marine Biodiversity Value – 10,000 islands covering 40 million sq km of ocean – Epicentre of marine biodiversity – Fisheries and tourism -Climate change -Ocean acidification

9. 26 Potential EBSAs 2 for future consideration

21. ____ - ____ ____ - ____ ____ __ _____ _ ____________ - _________ ____ __ ____ _ _______ ________ – ___________ _____ ____ - ______ ______ - ____ _____________ ____ - ____ ____ - ____ ____ __ _____ _ ____________ - _________ ____ __ ____ _ _______ ________ – ___________ _____ ____ - ______ ______ - ____ _____________ Summary

22. Good collaborations – nations and scientists Valuable data collation Expert driven process – second workshop recommended for comprehensive result EBSAs provide potential focus for research and monitoring Connectivity and network issues remain to be resolved before COP IX/20 Annex II is considered.