4TH GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON
OCEANS, COASTS, AND ISLANDS
Working Group on
Large Marine Ecosystems
POLICY BRIEF ON
LARGE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
Global Oceans Conference
GOC 2008
Vietnam
R O Korea
Indonesia
Organized by the
Global Forum on Oceans,
Coasts, and Islands and
Hosted by the Government of
CANADA
Vietnam, Ministry of
Flemish Government,
Belgium
Agriculture and Rural
Development
with principal funding
from the Global
Environment Facility
Pre-conference version, March 30, 2008

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Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands--Strategic Oceans Planning to
2016
The Global forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands has undertaken a strategic planning effort for the period 2006-
2016 to develop policy recommendations for specific next steps needed to advance the global oceans agenda
aimed at governments, UN agencies, NGOs, industry, and scientific groups. To this effect, Working Groups
have been organized around 12 major topic areas related to the global oceans commitments made at the 2002
World Summit on Sustainable Development and to emerging issues facing the global oceans community.

The Working Groups have been organized and coordinated by the Global Forum Secretariat, under the direction
of Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain, Co-Chair and Head of Secretariat, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, and
involving the following staff from the Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy, University of Delaware:
Miriam Balgos, Kateryna Wowk, Caitlin Snyder, Shelby Hockenberry, and Kathleen McCole.

Working Group on Large Marine Ecosystems

WORKING GROUP LEADER:

Ken Sherman, NOAA
Khulood Tubaishat, Regional Organization for the

Conservation of the Environment of Red Sea and
Gulf of Aden (PERSGA)
WORKING GROUP MEMBERS:


Marie-Christine Aquarone, NOAA
Alex Lascaratos, GEF/PDF-B Project Manager


Michael O'Toole, Benguela Current Large Marine
Andrew Cooke, UNEP-GEF Canary Current LME
Ecosystem Programme


Anthony Ribbink, Sustainable Seas Trust
Ned Cyr, NOAA Fisheries


Antonio Diaz de Leon Corral, Secretaría de Medio
Qisheng Tang, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research
Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
Institute


Carl Lundin, IUCN
Robin Mahon, Caribbean Large Marine. Ecosystem

Project
Chidi Ibe, GCLME


Rodolfo Serra, Instituto de Fomento Pesquero, Chile
Dann Sklarew, GEF IW:LEARN


Shannon Dionne, Office of International Affairs,
David Vousden, Agulhas and Somali Current Large
NOAA
Marine Ecosystems Project


Thomas Laughlin, Office of International Affairs,
Gennady Matishov, Murmansk Marine Biological
NOAA
Institute


Yihang Jiang, Project Manager, Yellow Sea Project
Georgy Volovik, UNDP-GEF Black Sea Ecosystem
(YSLME)
Recovery Project


Gotthilf Hempel, Independent Consultant

Hector Soldi, Instituto del Mar del Peru

Hein Rune Skjoldal, Institute of Marine Research,
Norway

Hyung Tack Huh, Yellow Sea LME and KORDI

Igor Belkin, University of Rhode Island

James Oliver, Marine Programme, IUCN

Jan Thulin, ICES and HELCOM

Janot Mendler de Suarez, GEF IW:LEARN

Julian Barbiere, UNESCO

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Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands

Working Group on Large Marine Ecosystems











Policy Brief:
Large Marine Ecosystems

Lead Authors
Kenneth Sherman, Dann Sklarew, Igor Belkin,
James Oliver, Marie-Christine Aquarone, and
Sybil Seitzinger










Draft March 30, 2008

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Table of Contents


Foreword by Biliana Cicin-Sain, Global Forum
iii
Policy Brief

1. Introduction: the LME concept as an approach for ecosystem-
1
based management

2. The LME Approach and its applications
1
3. Large Marine Ecosystem Assessment and Management and the 2
GEF
4. Sixteen GEF supported LME projects and the WSSD
3

5. Two governance commissions
11
6. Other LME applications
11
7. The IUCN, LME Projects, and global outreach
12
8. The IW:Learn global outreach for GEF-LME projects
13
9. Findings on warming trends
14
10. Findings on fisheries biomass yields
14
11. Findings on eutrophication
15
12. Socioeconomic benefits
15
13. Governance Declarations
16
14. Developing a global LME network of scientists,
16
technicians, policy-makers and managers
15. Educational outreach
17
16. Planned activities of the LME Program (2008-2010)
17
17. Conclusion
19
Annex I: "The LME Time Wave"--the history of the LME concept
20




ii

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FOREWORD


In 1995, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council included the concept of
Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) in its Operational Strategy as a vehicle to foster
ecosystem-based approaches to the management of coastal and marine resources
and address the land-sea interface. LMEs encompass coastal areas from river
basins and estuaries to the seaward boundaries of continental shelves, enclosed and
semi-enclosed seas, and the outer margins of the major current systems. LMEs are
typically 200,000 square kilometers or greater, and are characterized by distinct
bathymetry, hydrography, productivity, and trophically dependent populations. To
date, 64 LMEs have been identified in the global oceans. The GEF uses LMEs as
units for facilitating integration across sectors, developing adaptive management
frameworks with site-specific targets, and providing tools for engaging
stakeholders. With GEF assistance, and in partnership with several UN agencies,
110 different nations are cooperating to improve place-based management for 17
LMEs.

This Working Group assessed progress made in LMEs, challenges to managing
LMEs, and provide guidance for the enhanced management of LMEs. Moving
forwards, there is a need to keep a focus on regional, transboundary projects.
Furthermore, it is crucial to train the next generation of LME professionals to the
ecosystem-based approach to assessments of management of LMEs.

The Global Forum Secretariat extends its deep appreciation to Dr. Kenneth
Sherman and his team for overseeing the Working Group and developing the
policy brief.


Biliana Cicin-Sain
Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands













iii

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Policy Brief: The Large Marine Ecosystem assessment and
management approach (2008-2010)


1. Introduction: the LME concept
America, the Caribbean, and Eastern
as an approach for ecosystem-based
Europe are moving ahead with $1.8
management
billion in financial support from the
Since 1984, the NOAA-National
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Marine Fisheries Service Large Marine
and the World Bank to implement
Ecosystems (LME) Program has been
LME assessment and management
engaged in the development and
projects around the margins of the
implementation of an ecosystem-based
Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
approach to support the assessment and
Seventeen Arctic LMEs and 23 LMEs
management of living marine
in the Asia-Pacific Economic
resources and their environments.
Cooperation (APEC) region are also
Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) are
highlighting opportunities for
regions of ocean space of about
international collaboration in LME
200,000 km2 or greater. They
projects. Through LME programs, the
encompass coastal areas from river
GEF is encouraging countries to move
basins and estuaries seaward to the
forward in a paradigm shift from a
break or slope of a continental shelf
sector by sector approach to a more
(e.g. Scotian Shelf), or out to the
comprehensive and integrated resource
seaward extent of a well defined
management approach for the
current system (e.g. Benguela Current,
restoration and protection of shared
Kuroshio Current). Some LMEs (e.g.
transboundary LME goods and
Baltic Sea) are partially enclosed
services. The objectives of GEF
geographical areas. Collaborating
funded LME projects are in keeping
oceanographers and biologists have
with the 2002 Johannesburg World
defined 64 LMEs worldwide, based on
Summit on Sustainable Development
ecological criteria including (i)
(WSSD) targets to (i) achieve
bathymetry, (ii) hydrography, (iii)
substantial reductions in land-based
marine productivity, and (iv)
sources of pollution; (ii) introduce an
trophodynamics. LMEs annually
ecosystems approach to marine
produce 80% of global marine fishery
resource assessment and management
yields. LMEs are also centers of costal
by 2010; (iii) designate a network of
pollution, habitat degradation, nutrient
marine protected areas by 2012; and
over-enrichment, climate change, and
maintain and restore fish stocks to
biodiversity loss.
maximum sustainable yield levels by

2015
The Large Marine Ecosystems (LME)

assessment and management concept is
2. The LME approach and its
based on the operationalization of five
applications
modules focused on measuring
The LME assessment strategy is an
changes in ecosystem (i) productivity;
ecosystem-based approach to look
(ii) fish and fisheries; (iii) pollution
beyond individual sectors such as
and ecosystem health; (iv)
marine fisheries assessment and
socioeconomic conditions; and (v)
management, pollution discharge,
governance. One hundred and ten
mineral extraction, or transportation,
coastal countries in Africa, Asia, Latin
and consider the multi sectoral effect

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on sustaining the goods and services of
partnering with LMEs in 16
LMEs.
GEF-funded LME projects that

assist developing countries to
3. Large Marine Ecosystem
maintain their fisheries for the
Assessment and Management and
wellbeing of their growing
the GEF
coastal populations;
The LME approach offers a strategy
· The ministries of fisheries and
for reducing coastal pollution,
the environment of 110
restoring damaged habitats and
countries support the LME
recovering depleted fisheries, based on
projects;
an integration of science and
· The US National Oceanic and
management at the LME scale.
Atmospheric Administration
Ecosystem management requires a
(NOAA) has adopted the LME
paradigm shift from individual species
as the basic unit to implement
to ecosystems, from the small spatial
an ecosystem-based approach
scale to multiple scales, from a short
to marine resource management
term perspective to a long term
in the 10 LMEs of the United
perspective, from management
States;
divorced from research to adaptive
· The International Union for the
management, from managing
Conservation of Nature and
commodities to sustaining the
Natural Resources (IUCN)
production potential for marine goods
partners with NOAA and the
and services, from humans
LME Program Office in
independent of ecosystems to humans
assisting developing countries
as an integral part of ecosystems. 25
to maintain community based
years after its initial pioneering, the
artisanal fisheries;
LME concept for ecosystem-based
· The GEF learning exchange
management and its five-module
and resource network
approach (productivity, fish and
(IW:Learn) promotes
fisheries, pollution and ecosystem
experience sharing and learning
health, socioeconomics and
among participants in GEF
governance) are being applied to 16
International Waters projects;
international projects in Africa, Asia,
· Fourteen peer-reviewed
Latin America and Eastern Europe.
scientific volumes and over 200
These LME projects are funded by the
technical papers have been
Global Environment Facility (GEF),
published containing
the World Bank, participating
descriptions and case studies of
countries, and other donors at a level
LMEs worldwide.
of $1.8 billion. Scientific and technical
· More than 2,500 experts and
support is provided to the GEF LME
partners participate in LME
projects by NOAA and other donor
projects;
agencies. Governments, international
· One hundred and ten countries
organizations, and scientists worldwide
have already taken the lead and
have embraced the LME concept as
are considering how to link
demonstrated by the following
biophysical processes across
examples:
several spatial and temporal

scales, with the human needs
· Five United Nations agencies
and way of life of those living
(UNEP, UNIDO, UNDP, FAO
in coastal societies.
and IOC-UNESCO) are


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The GEF provides grants to developing
characteristics of coastal pollution,
countries for projects that benefit the
damaged habitats and depleted fish
global environment and promote
stocks. In a Strategic Action Plan
sustainable livelihoods in local
(SAP), the countries commit to making
communities. With GEF funding now
institutional arrangements and taking
reaching US$1.8 billion for LME
policy actions based on sound science,
projects, the 5-module approach to
to address the issues identified in the
ecosystem-based management is being
TDA. The SAP addresses to correct
applied in the developing countries
institutional fragmentation, ecosystem
sharing LMEs in Africa, Asia, Latin
assessment gaps, lack of cooperation,
America and Eastern Europe, where
and weak coastal policies, and is
there is the greatest potential to reduce
signed by high-level government
poverty and increase environmental
authorities of each participating
sustainability. It is in those regions that
country. Once countries have agreed
the needs of a growing population
on the issues facing their marine
must be met while preserving Earth's
resources and have put forward
support systems. Five modular
strategies for improvement, the GEF
assessments have identified for
can provide additional funding to help
example the need for a precautionary
implement actions that realize those
approach in addressing the
strategies. The operational strategies
encroachment of industrial fisheries on
for the fourth replenishment of the
artisanal fisheries in the Guinea
GEF (2007-2010) will further augment
Current LME; the need for improved
international LME activities by
forecasts of fishery fluctuations for the
US$230 million. Supplemental
long-term sustainability of pelagic and
financing of the LME foundation
demersal fish stocks in the very
projects with World Bank investment
productive Humboldt Current LME;
funds is likely to increase support of
and the need to curb nitrogen loading
LME projects to a level of US$3
where the pressure from excessive
billion by 2010. This unprecedented
nutrients coming from land-based
level of financial support provides
sources can disrupt the nitrogen cycle
developing countries with the means to
and influence the integrity and health
operationalize the five-module LME
of LMEs.
approach to marine resource

assessment and management, and to
A GEF-funded LME project engages
acquire and operate advanced sampling
in a humanistic, country-driven
systems for obtaining time series data
process, in which the countries
on productivity, coastal oceanography,
bordering an LME jointly prepare
nutrients, climatology, fish and
documents based on consensus that
fisheries, and pollution and ecosystem
rank coastal resource issues, identify
health.
and prioritize transboundary problems,

analyze socioeconomic impacts, and
4. Sixteen GEF supported LME
advance possible remedies and actions
projects and the WSSD
for sustaining LME resources. In a
The following profiles of selected
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis
LME projects illustrate the important
(TDA), the countries sharing an LME
contributions of the TDA and SAP
begin to scientifically characterize the
process, the bottom-up, country-driven
LME, to identify the root causes of
approach, and the movement forward
trends in LME biomass yields and the
to recover and sustain depleted fish
most pressing transboundary
stocks, restore degraded habitats, and

3

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reduce coastal pollution and
the first time (see the TV programme
eutrophication. These projects have
on the web at www.yslme.org).
made progress in reaching the marine

targets put forward at the Johannesburg
The Guinea Current LME project
2002 World Summit for Sustainable
Sixteen West African countries have
Development (WSSD). Within the
come together in an effort to improve
global LME Program, NOAA and
the depleted condition of fisheries,
marine stewardship agencies from
restore the degraded condition of
other countries contribute scientific
coastal habitats and especially the
and technical expertise in applications
critically important mangroves, and
of marine resource recovery and
reduce and control pollution on behalf
sustainability, oceans and atmospheric
of the 300 million people living on the
assessments and forecasting, high
West African coast. The coastal
speed data processing, and database
waters of the Guinea Current LME
management. Countries participating
support significant biomasses of
in GEF-LME Projects have requested
plankton species and multiple year-
scientific and technical assistance from
classes of tunas, sardines, mackerel,
NOAA and other ocean agencies in the
shrimp, bottom fish, octopus, and other
operationalization of the 5-module
species providing food security and
approach to LME assessments and the
supporting viable commercial and
use of ecosystem indicators in
artisanal community-based fisheries.
productivity, fish and fisheries,
Among the growth industries are
pollution and ecosystem health,
tourism, vessel transportation taking
socioeconomics, and governance.
goods to and from the countries of

West Africa, oil and gas resources and
The Yellow Sea LME Project
extractive industries for sand and
The TDA jointly prepared by China
diamonds (the recently produced DVD,
and Korea has identified a change in
"Africa on the Cutting Edge",
fish species composition and feeding
describes the accomplishments of the
habits. Ecosystem drivers under
16 countries working together in the
consideration are climate change,
Guinea Current LME).
overfishing, eutrophication, and

pollution in the coastal areas. The
The Benguela Current LME project
Project goals are to advance in the
Namibia, Angola and South Africa
understanding of the structure and
have identified their most serious
functioning of the Yellow Sea
transboundary problems: declining fish
ecosystem and its watershed; to
stocks, massive red tides, deteriorating
forecast its responses to global change;
water quality, and habitat destruction
to develop ecosystem-based,
caused by diamond mining along the
environmentally sustainable
coast. Their fisheries have been
management strategies to restore food
overfished by fleets from Europe. One
fish for the sustenance of growing
of the nominators for Dr. Sherman and
populations; to restore biodiversity,
the Japan Prize says that Dr.
improve water quality, protect human
Sherman's work and the team effort of
health, and reduce nutrient over-
collaborating scientists, geographers,
enrichment, oxygen depletion and
economists, technicians, marine policy
coastal pollution. In early 2008, the
makers, administrators, and politicians
Yellow Sea LME project launched a
have helped to harvest from science
cooperative scientific cruise in which
the benefits that societies can
both China and Korea participated for
potentially derive from it by providing

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a strategy for the three Benguela
transportation, and tourism. It will
Current countries to cope with climate
develop strategies and actions for the
variability and how to track its effects
elimination of dead zones in the LME.
in the marine environment. For
It will restore degraded marine coastal
instance, Dr. Sherman's recent 50-year
wetlands and mangroves, strengthen
time series for warming trends in each
marine and coastal land use with
of the 64 LMEs has provided baseline
particular emphasis on biodiversity,
data from which to measure regime
and establish a marine protected area
shifts and other impacts of change in
network based on an ecosystems
the Benguela Current LME. It
approach to protect biodiversity as it
highlights the strong link between
relates to fish and fisheries, in
climate change and fisheries.
accordance with WSSD targets. It also

plans to initiate an LME-wide
The Gulf of Mexico LME Project
economic valuation of near-shore and
Mexico and the United States have
marine goods and services to gain an
begun to scientifically characterize the
improved understanding of the
LME and to identify its most pressing
economic importance of the Gulf of
transboundary issues: the depleted
Mexico LME. The process provides
level of fishery stocks, the shift from
for the definition of harmonized
single species to ecosystem-based
approaches for policy, legal, and
management, eutrophication and
institutional reforms for addressing
harmful algal blooms, habitat
priority transboundary issues and for
modification, and the value of
rendering them effective through
ecosystem goods and services. The
reforms and investments at the national
focus of the project is on restoring and
level. Strong interaction with the
sustaining fisheries and fish stocks and
private sector including the oil and gas
on reducing and controlling nutrient
industry is considered important.
over-enrichment to safe ecosystem

health levels. The two countries will
The Caribbean Sea LME
carry out LME-wide surveys of
The Caribbean Sea has a wide variety
productivity and oceanography,
of tropical ecotones, including a large
monitoring major ecological events (in
proportion of the world's coral reef
regard to pollutants) and developing a
resources, associated natural resources,
system that places particular emphasis
and biodiversity. The LME region is
on changes in productivity and other
highly diverse and complex from a
indicators of ecosystem health. The
geopolitical and cultural perspective,
project will promote new technology to
as it includes 33 states and 19
reduce non-target species interaction,
associated territories of the United
bycatch, and discards. It will
States, United Kingdom, France and
investigate the commercial aspects of
the Netherlands, with countries of
the shrimp, reef fish, blue crab, red
differing size and levels of economic
snapper, mackerel, herring, sardines,
development. The region is highly
and anchovy fisheries. In addition it
dependent for its livelihood on marine
will assess ecosystem-wide nutrient
resources, especially fisheries and
over-enrichment and contaminant
tourism-related activities. Food
sources, flows and levels with due
security and resource sustainability are
consideration of the impacts from
important concerns, given the area's
multiple uses of the Gulf of Mexico
high dependence on fish as a source of
LME goods and services, including gas
protein. The GEF funded LME project
and oil production, mining,
has a level of funding of just under

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US$1 million to support project
affect the environmental quality of the
planning. Most fisheries resources are
Baltic Sea LME. Other threats to the
overexploited. Most of the effort goes
Baltic Sea LME are overfishing
into lobster, shrimp, and conch.
(particularly of cod and other demersal
Caribbean fisheries are small-scale and
species), toxins, and invasive species.
artisanal, mostly multispecies and
The working structure of the Baltic Sea
transboundary, utilizing widely-
LME project is multilayered, with
scattered landing sites and small, open
participating international managing
engine powered boats. Management is
bodies and governance institutions
fragmented because of the high
such as the Helsinki Commission
number of participating states and
(HELCOM), the European
territories. The major issue needing to
Commission, the International Baltic
be addressed is the governance of the
Sea Fishery Commission, and the
fisheries resource. Approaches by
International Council for the
governments and organizations to
Exploration of the Sea (ICES),
reverse the trends of overexploitation
providing scientific and coordination
and degradation have been piecemeal
expertise to the project, as well as
and uncoordinated. The overall goal of
coordination centers, lead national
the Caribbean Sea LME project is the
laboratories, local implementation
sustainable management of the shared
units, and institutes in the participating
living marine resources of the
countries. Ships of opportunity provide
Caribbean Sea LME and adjacent
an operational monitoring system for
areas, through an integrated
the Baltic Sea, its state, and recent
management approach that will meet
changes. Assessments and strategies to
WSSD targets for sustainable fisheries.
reduce Baltic Sea nutrient loads were
Other specific objectives are to
put forward by HELCOM in the fourth
improve the shared knowledge base for
Baltic Sea Pollution Load Compilation
sustainable use and management of the
and also in a source apportionment
transboundary living marine resources,
study conducted by the European
implement legal, policy, and
Environment Agency (European
institutional reforms, and develop
Environmental Agency 2005). It is
mechanisms for LME-level
expected that legislative actions, along
monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
with the economic incentives provided
Pilot programs will provide the
by the European Union, can be used to
opportunity to explore regional and
coordinate the reduction of nutrient
subregional governance mechanisms,
inputs to inland and marine waters.
supported by sound science-based
Approximately 20% of phosphorus
information.
loads originate from point sources and

can be reduced simply through
The Baltic Sea LME Project
improved waste water treatment.
Eutrophication caused by nutrient

loading from land, atmospheric
The Bay of Bengal Large Marine
deposition, and internal nutrient
Ecosystem Project
loading by biological and geochemical
Some 400 million people live in the
pathways, has been identified as a
catchment and coastal areas of
major threat to the Baltic Sea LME.
Bangladesh, India, Indonesia,
The Baltic Sea LME has a large
Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri
catchment area, with land use activities
Lanka, and Thailand, many subsisting
having a strong effect on water quality.
at or below the poverty level and
Both nitrogen and phosphorus loads
heavily depending on part time and

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small scale fishing for their livelihood.
the tsunami. Once the project starts up,
The FAO-executed Bay of Bengal
a regional workshop will be held to
LME Programme has provided
agree on the priorities for project year
technical assistance and advice in the
1 and to prepare the national and
area for more than 25 years, focusing
regional work plans. A Project
on the support of fishing communities
Appraisal Document is to be submitted
and the sustainable development of
to the World Bank Board for final
fisheries with increased attention to
approval so that the project can start in
fisheries management and
2007.
environmental issues. In 1998, GEF

approved a PDF-Block B for the
The Black Sea LME
Sustainable Management of the Bay of
The six countries, Bulgaria, Georgia,
Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem, with
Romania, Russia, Turkey, and
FAO as executing agency, the World
Ukraine, bordering the Black Sea LME
Bank as implementing agency, and
have completed phase 2 (2004-2007)
GEF, the Swedish International
of a 15 year GEF-LME Project. Eleven
Development Cooperation Agency
more countries are part of a GEF-
(SIDA), and NOAA as development
sponsored Black Sea watershed project
partners. Seven priority issues were
to eliminate pollution inputs to the
identified, which included the
Black Sea drainage basin. The
overexploitation of living marine
ecosystem has seen deep water anoxic
resources, critical habitats and land-
conditions, ctenophore increases, and a
based pollution. The PDF-B selected
pelagic fishery collapse. The most
sharks, Indian mackerel and hilsa as
significant threat, and main focus of
priority transboundary species. An
the Black Sea LME Project, is the
objective of the Bay of Bengal LME
issue of eutrophication, requiring three
Programme is to enhance food security
coordinated actions: (1) reduce the
and reduce poverty for coastal
nitrogen and phosphorus loads to the
communities. The program will
Black Sea; (2) enhance the services
develop a Strategic Action Plan (SAP)
provided by wetlands and benthic
to protect the ecosystem and manage
(seabed) plant communities for the
the living resources in a sustainable
assimilation of nutrients; and (3)
way. Following the tsunami event, the
improve the management of critical
Bay of Bengal LME project received
habitats, allowing for the economic
GEF pipeline approval (April 2005) for
recovery of fisheries and
a level of US$12 million. The expected
improvements to the marine
cash and in-kind co-funding (from
ecosystem. There is a need to better
national Bay of Bengal governments,
quantify the nutrient discharges to the
NOAA, FAO and development
LME and to determine how the
agencies) is expected to bring the total
nutrients are cycled through the system
funding to US$ 30.5 million. Formal
and what factors control eutrophication
endorsement by the governments of all
in the system. Eutrophication in the
eight countries is expected to come
Black Sea LME has resulted from the
soon. Once national counterpart
failure of a wide range of sectors to
cofinancing and donor cofinancing
understand the relationship between
arrangements are finalized, an
their activities and the decline of
"appraisal" workshop is to be held with
marine and coastal ecosystems. For a
the participating countries. The
reversal of this situation there is a need
workshop is to be used as a forum to
to make available cost-effective
discuss evolving priorities in light of
practical alternatives to current

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practices and to put in place
of pelagic and demersal resources, loss
appropriate laws and enforcement
of critical habitat and biodiversity,
practices with environmental quality
environmental fluctuations and water
objectives. The effective reduction of
quality in urban coastal areas,
eutrophication in the Black Sea LME
shipping, petroleum and agricultural
requires the full cooperation of all 17
pollution. The project is on target for
countries within the basin. A TDA and
phase 1 (2007-2012). There is a need
an SAP were first developed in 1996
for cohesive monitoring in this LME
and are now to be updated with the
extending from Morocco to South
gathering and interpretation of
Africa.
information on environmental impacts,

the socioeconomic consequences of
The Agulhas Current LME and
each identified issue, and the setting of
Somali Current LME Project
priority actions for improving and
The eight countries (Comoros, Kenya,
sustaining the health of the Black Sea
Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique,
LME. The scientific assessments are to
Seychelles, South Africa and
come from four planned cruises on the
Tanzania) involved in the project are to
northwest shelf of the Black Sea LME;
engage in a TDA and SAP process to
an atmospheric deposition study; a
identify the priority transboundary
vessel traffic oil pollution information
concerns. The Project is in partnership
system; and a nutrient content
with NEPAD, the Census of Marine
assessment of livestock manure near
Life, SWIOFP, ACEP, GOOS,
the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria.
WIOMSA, WCS, CI, the Sustainable
The results of the research undertaken
Seas Trust, and other agencies to
in 2003-2006 show clear signs that the
ensure the long-term sustainability of
Black Sea LME is recovering at a slow
the living resources of the Agulhas and
rate. While there is a slow recovery of
Somali Currents Large Marine
biodiversity in the northern part of the
Ecosystems for the benefit of
LME, the recovering ecosystem is still
humankind. The funding agencies are
very vulnerable.
the IUCN, NOAA, IOC-UNESCO, the

GEF and The World Wildlife Fund.
The Canary Current LME Project
The Project goals are (i) to develop the
The Canary Current Large Marine
knowledge necessary to better manage
Ecosystem is an upwelling and wind-
fisheries and biodiversity through
driven ecosystem, with a high
capacity building and ecosystem
productivity of plankton and pelagic
studies; (ii) to understand the processes
fish. The seven countries, Morocco,
that drive the energy and economies of
Mauritania, Senegal, the Gambia,
the Western Indian Ocean; and (iii) to
Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, and Cape
contribute to the achievement of the
Verde, involved in the project are
Millennium Development Goals and
seeking in this project to reverse the
WSSD targets. A cruise along the east
depletion of fisheries and conserve the
coast of Africa on board the Algoa in
ecosystem from overfishing and
2003 monitored biophysical
pollution. A preliminary TDA resulted
conditions, conductivity, temperature,
from a steering committee meeting and
and depth. The LMEs support nutrient-
two TDA workshops held in October
rich areas which have a direct impact
2005 and July 2006. Committees have
on the livelihoods of millions of people
prepared national reports. The first
living in coastal communities.
workshop identified the main
Economic growth lies in biodiversity
transboundary issues to be the decline
and MPAs rather than fish biomass.

8

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The project has been revised to include
conservation of biological diversity;
small scale fisheries, socioeconomic
the management of coastal aquifers
conditions and efforts towards a joint
and groundwater; the reduction of
TDA with the South West Indian
pollution from land based activities;
Ocean Fisheries Commission and land-
and the reduction of POPs. The total
based sources of pollution projects.
project cost is $44 million. The Project
The project document has been
was successful in obtaining $6 million
prepared and signed by the eight
in investment funds to support the
countries.
biological diversity component, MPA

network establishment, and sustainable
The Mediterranean Sea LME
fisheries using the ecosystem based
With the support of GEF and UNEP,
management approach.
13 GEF-eligible Mediterranean

countries are cooperating under the
The Humboldt Current LME
Barcelona Convention on the
Project
Protection of the Mediterranean Sea
The Humboldt Current LME supports
against Pollution to review the TDA
the world's largest industrial fisheries,
initially prepared in 1997. Participating
representing up to 20% of the global
countries are Albania, Algeria, Bosnia
fish catch and contributing 10 to 14
and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt,
million metric tons a year to the global
Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro,
industrialized use of fish protein.
Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, and
Anchovy, sardine, and horse mackerel
the Palestinian Authority. All
are used both for fish meal and for
Barcelona Convention countries are
human consumption. The LME
invited to participate and to be donors
provides both food security and
to the Project. The major
employment opportunities for tens of
transboundary environmental concerns
thousands of people living in the
for the Mediterranean Sea LME are the
coastal communities of Chile and Peru.
decline of biodiversity, decline in
The high productivity of the LME is
fisheries and decline in seawater
the result of upwelling processes
quality, the risks of human health and
governed by strong southerly trade
the loss of groundwater dependent
winds. The normal seasonal upwelling
coastal ecosystems. The countries are
can be interrupted by the El Nino-
jointly agreeing on what interventions
Southern Oscillation (ENSO) which
are needed to address the priority
results in intrusions of warm water.
environmental concerns through two
The two countries after a lull in their
Strategic Action Programs (SAPs): to
relations are moving towards a more
address pollution from land-based
balanced use of the large, naturally
activities, and to conserve the
produced fish biomass, and a long-
Mediterranean's marine and coastal
term sustainable use of the highly
biological diversity. The Partnership
industrialized component and use of
will serve as a catalyst in leveraging
those fish species vital to maintaining
additional investments for reversing
the socioeconomic basis for the local
the degradation of the Mediterranean
artisanal fisheries. The project will
LME, the freshwater basins feeding
seek to control the impacts on the LME
into it, its habitats and coastal aquifers.
being caused by pollution from land-
The 5 components of the Project are:
based industrial and other activities.
the sustainable use of fisheries
UNIDO has assisted Chile and Peru in
resources through ecosystem-based
the preparation of a TDA and SAP.
management approaches; the
NOAA provides longstanding

9

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scientific and technical support to
The East Asia LMEs
Chile and Peru in the development of
The Seas of East Asia sustain 30
an assessment and management
percent of the world's coral reefs and
strategy, to bring an ecosystem-based
mangroves; produce about 40 percent
approach to the recovery and
of the world's fish catch, and 84
sustainability of transboundary
percent of world aquaculture; and
fisheries, and deal with the need for
represent one of the world's centers for
fish biomass restoration and for
tropical marine biodiversity. However,
improved forecasts of climate-driven
the Seas of East Asia are under serious
fishery fluctuations in a highly variable
threat from human activities, and
LME. The Humboldt Current is
require a comprehensive and holistic
vulnerable to uncertainties in fisheries
approach, in order to solve the many
production related to an observed
conflicting uses of coastal and marine
reduction in chlorophyll and primary
resources, and to achieve the
productivity linked to global ocean
sustainable development of coastal and
warming, and the project requires the
marine resources, as well as adjacent
development and operation of a vastly
watersheds. PEMSEA (Partnerships in
improved oceanographic/productivity
Environmental Management for the
forecasting system to support the
Seas of East Asia) includes the Yellow
industrial and artisanal fisheries of
Sea, East China Sea, South China Sea,
Chile and Peru.
Sulu-Celebes, Indonesian Sea, and

Gulf of Thailand LMEs. The LMEs are
The West Bering Sea LME Project
all semi-enclosed with a total sea area
The high productivity of the West
of 7 million km2, a coastline of
Bering Sea LME, shared by the
234,000 km, and a watershed area of
Russian Federation and the United
about 8.6 million km2. These seas are
States, supports a large biomass of
ecologically and economically
fish, crustaceans, mollusks, marine
important both regionally and globally.
birds and marine mammals. The catch
PEMSEA along with other GEF IW
of Alaska Pollock represents one of the
initiatives in the region are focusing on
world's largest sustainable yields for a
the need for comprehensive and
highly sough-after commercial fish
responsive national coastal and marine
species suitable for direct human
policies and the need to avoid
consumption which, after a peak of 1.4
conflicting uses of marine and coastal
million metric tons in 1987, has
resources. Eight demonstration sites
undergone two steep declines. One of
cover a total of 917 km of coastline
the proposed objectives of the West
and 15,118 km2 of land and sea areas.
Bering Sea LME Project is to assess
Learning from this experience, 18
the main environmental factors
other local government units in the
affecting the LME and to evaluate
region are beginning to replicate these
plausible options for redressing the
programs. A total of 1,674 km. of
steep decline in biomass yields through
coastline and 27,508 km2 of land and
5-modular assessments of productivity,
sea area are now covered by these
fish and fisheries, pollution and
programs, affecting over 11 million
ecosystem health, socioeconomic
inhabitants. PEMSEA is targeting to
conditions, and governance for the
cover 20 percent of the regional
sustainable development of the West
coastline by 2015. Several countries
Bering Sea LME.
have taken steps to develop and

implement cross-sectoral national,

coastal, and ocean policies.

10

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5. Two governance commissions
and better react to oil spills and other
The results of the LME approach are
threats. This has implications for the
becoming visible. The Benguela
food security of West African
Current and the Guinea Current LME
countries and for their prosperity and
Projects have already established
for peace in troubled areas. These
innovative, ministerial level,
African countries are actually ahead of
ecosystem-based Commissions to
developed nations in managing their
oversee the recovery, development and
LME, with less history and
sustainability of their goods and
institutional arrangements that get in
services. The 3 countries of the
the way. The example of these
Benguela Current with very different
Commissions is an important outcome
interests have formed the Benguela
of the bottom up, country-driven
Current commission to jointly manage
approach taken by developing
the offshore marine resources of the
countries going forward with
productive Benguela LME, which they
ecosystem-based management at a
share, and to harmonize their legal and
pace that is faster than in the developed
regulatory frameworks for managing
countries caught up with bureaucratic
the coastal waters. The ecosystem-
layering.
based Commission was signed at the

highest ministerial level and is a
6. Other LME applications
historic first in the world annals of

marine agreements. This places the
The Asia-Pacific Economic
three countries out in front on LME
Cooperation (APEC)
management and actually ahead of
There is an emerging ecosystem-based
developed nations. The 16 countries of
approach to the assessment and
the Guinea Current LME Project
management of marine resources
have since followed suit by also
within the APEC nations. The
forming a commission. Both
countries bordering the 23 LMEs of
commissions are extraordinary
the Asia-Pacific region have taken
accomplishments. In the 16 countries
initial steps toward examining their
of the Guinea Current LME as in the 3
marine ecosystems. The project
countries of the Benguela Current
purpose is to provide APEC economies
LME, coastal and marine resource
with an accurate, up-to-date
management had been fragmented due
understanding of the marine
to the legacy of the colonial past,
ecosystems and resources upon which
varying political cultures, and the use
a large portion of their economies
in the region of different languages.
depend, and to allow them to sustain
Some of the countries had experienced
the production potential of the goods
or were experiencing political
and services of the region. Workshops
instability. Science was able to
were initiated in 2007 and are to
overcome this by breaking down the
continue in 2008 for country
barriers between people and between
participants to agree on the science
the countries. Joint scientific surveys
based criteria to be used in the
carried out by young African scientists
identification of LMEs, a set of
and technicians in both LMEs have
indicators, and a working map of
helped to determine changes in fish
marine ecosystems in the APEC
populations over time. These surveys
region. The sponsors of this project
are the scientific foundation needed by
are the United States, China, South
the countries to better manage their
Korea, the Philippines, and Mexico,
fisheries, keep track of algal blooms
along with other APEC economies.

11

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Protection of the Arctic Marine
chalcogramma) within the LME. A
Environment (PAME)--LME
major effort of the project will focus
applications in the Arctic
on the extent and magnitude of these
The 17 Arctic LMEs are diverse and
changes and their effects on economic
dynamic systems under stress from
development in an LME under the
global warming and the melting of sea
stress of climate change. The West
ice. Advances in the melting of Arctic
Bering Sea LME Project will serve as a
ice have implications for zooplankton,
prototype of the five-modular LME
fisheries, fish stocks, marine mammals,
approach for all 17 Arctic LMEs under
and marine birds that appear to be
consideration for assessment and
shifting northward. The indigenous
management activities in the Arctic
communities are in need of assistance
Council and PAME work plan.
for adapting to the ice melt conditions

which are now causing serious
7. The IUCN, LME Projects, and
socioeconomic disruption. PAME, the
global outreach
Arctic Council's working group for the
The International Union for the
protection of the Arctic environment,
Conservation of Nature and Natural
and its participant countries Canada,
Resources (IUCN) is a conservation
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway,
network bringing together countries,
Russia, Sweden and the United States,
government agencies, NGOs,
have agreed on a working map of the
scientists, and experts. The six IUCN
17 Arctic LMEs. A group of experts
Commissions, including three on
from each of the Arctic countries has
human related issues, represent many
been established within the framework
of the world's leading conservation
of PAME to reach consensus on the
scientists and experts. The IUCN
application of LME indicators. This
partners with NOAA and the LME
will be followed in 2008 by LME
Program Office in assisting developing
Arctic assessments. In addition, an
countries to maintain community based
Arctic volume is being prepared in
artisanal fisheries. In addition, the
collaboration with the Institute of
LME Program Office's outreach
Marine Research in Bergen, Norway,
activities have been supported by
and is based on the presentations given
IUCN to promote the application of the
at the American Association for the
LME concept worldwide. The NOAA-
Advancement of Science (AAAS)
LME Program Office has partnered
Arctic Symposium convened in St.
with the IUCN in congresses and
Louis, MO in 2006. LME indicators
conferences for joint presentations on
will be tested and evaluated during a
LMEs. The IUCN is one of the
pilot project focused on the West
sponsors of the annual LME
Bering Sea LME, shared by the United
consultative meeting taking place at
States and the Russian Federation. The
the IOC Headquarters. Recent IUCN
LME project is to be supported by $5
activities relating to the LME
million in GEF funds as a full
community include fisheries
foundation project designed to
agreements concluded in West Africa,
operationalize all five LME modules
Marine Protected Areas, publications
and consider the effects of climate
on climate change, and combating
warming on the indigenous peoples of
illegal, unregulated, and unreported
the region. Available evidence is
(IUU) fishing in the Western Indian
suggesting significant changes in
Ocean. In the Bay of Bengal the focus
productivity including increases in the
is on climate change impacts on
yields of Alaska Pollock (Theragra

12

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coastal ecosystems and coastal
resources (e.g., fish, shellfish, plants,
livelihoods.
birds, or mammals) within or outside

the MPA by protecting important
Marine Protected Areas
habitat and spawning, mating or
The mission of the World Commission
nursery grounds; or providing harvest
on Protected Areas (WCPA) is to
refugia for by-catch species.
promote the establishment and
MPAs designed to achieve these
effective management of a world-wide
natural-heritage, cultural-heritage, and
representative network of terrestrial
sustainable-production goals can
and marine protected areas, as an
contribute to ecosystem approaches to
integral contribution to the IUCN
management. MPAs face the challenge
mission.
of linking issues involving natural
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a
science (population and community
fundamental tool for ecosystem-based
ecology of marine organisms) with
management. A large part of the
issues involving social science
marine science community, along with
(socioeconomic and other human
the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy
components of ecosystems and natural-
and the Pew Oceans Commission,
resource management).
view MPA programs as fundamentally
(see NOAA website:
place-based and involving the spatial
http://mpa.gov/pdf/fac/fac_recmd_06_
protection of marine resources and
07.pdf).
habitats. The U.S. Ocean Action Plan
puts forward a variety of explicitly
8. The IW:Learn global outreach
place-based protection measures, such
for GEF-LME projects
as promoting coral-reef and deep-coral
For over a decade, nations partnering
conservation, and preserving the places
to share the benefits of their freshwater
that represent the nation's maritime
and marine ecosystems have learned
heritage. MPAs are not necessarily
from one another's experience via the
fully-protected or "no-take" marine
Global Environment Facility's
reserves--the range of protection varies
International Waters: Learning
widely in accordance with different
Exchange and Resource Network
goals. NOAA's MPA Center
(GEF IW:LEARN). This project
recognizes three general goals of
advances knowledge-sharing among
MPAs: "Natural Heritage", established
IW stakeholders through a Web-based
and managed principally to sustain the
information portal, iwlearn.net. In
protected area's natural biological
order to advance integrated ecosystem-
communities, habitats, ecosystems and
based ocean management in LMEs and
processes, and the ecological services,
coastal areas at the global, regional and
uses and values they provide to this
national levels, the GEF has recently
and future generations; "Cultural
approved the next phase of GEF
Heritage", established and managed
IW:LEARN. This new phase will
principally to protect, understand and
promote regional, thematic, and
interpret submerged cultural resources
portfolio learning and will help ocean
that reflect the nation's maritime
projects share experiences through the
history and traditional cultural
coordination of global and regional
connections to the sea; and
strategic planning processes, especially
"Sustainable Production",
in advancing implementation of global
established and managed principally to
commitments for oceans, coasts, and
support the continued sustainable
small island developing states (SIDS).
extraction of renewable living
The project links GEF-supported

13

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transboundary projects with global
LMEs. In addition to the Baltic Sea,
efforts to improve freshwater, coastal
the most rapid warming exceeding
and marine resource management in
0.96 degrees C over 25 years is
the context of achieving the 4
observed in the North Sea, East China
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
Sea, Sea of Japan/East Sea, and
and Millennium Development Goals
Newfoundland-Labrador Shelf and
and adapting to climate variability and
Black Sea LMEs. This information has
change, with a particular focus on the
been assembled for a soon to be
Asia/Pacific region. For more
published book, "The UNEP Large
information on the new GEF
Marine Ecosystems Report--a
IW:LEARN project, please contact Dr
perspective on changing conditions in
Biliana Cicin-Sain (bcs@udel.edu) or
LMEs of the world's Regional Seas".
Ms. Janot Mendler

(janot@iwlearn.org). An IW:Learn
10. Findings on fisheries biomass
sponsored economic valuation
yields
workshop took place in Cape Town in
A yield catch time series by fish
2007, focusing on principles of
species (groups) and LMEs was begun
ecosystem valuation, LME benefits
in 1950 when the FAO started
and costs, and the use of economic
collecting global fisheries statistics,
valuation to influence decision-
and ends in 2004 with the most recent
making, with examples taken from the
update of these datasets. The catch data
Benguela Current LME. This was
can be used to evaluate the primary
followed by the 4th biennial
production required (PPR) to sustain
International Waters Conference on
fisheries catches. PPR, when related to
sustaining marine fisheries and
observed primary production, provides
conserving marine resources.
another index for assessing the impact
of the countries fishing in LMEs. The
9. Findings on warming trends
mean trophic level of species caught
We undertook a study of the physical
by fisheries (the "Marine Trophic
extent and rates of sea surface
Index") is also used, in conjunction
temperature trends in relation to
with a related indicator, the Fishing-in-
fisheries biomass yields and SeaWiFS
Balance Index (FiB), to assess changes
derived primary productivity of the
in the species composition of the
world's 64 LMEs. The most striking
fisheries in LMEs. Also, newly
result is the consistent warming of
conceived `Stock-Catch Status Plots'
LMEs, with the notable exception of
are presented which document
two, the California Current and the
graphically, for each LME, both the
Humboldt Current LMEs. These LMEs
increase in the number of stocks that
experienced cooling over the past 25
moved from the fully exploited to the
years. The warming trend observed in
overexploited and the collapsed stages,
61 LMEs ranged from a low of 0.08
and the relative biomass of fish
degrees C for the Patagonian Shelf
extracted from stocks in these various
LME to a high of 1.35 degrees C in the
stages. Altogether these descriptors of
Baltic Sea LME. The relatively rapid
fisheries and ecosystem states over the
warming exceeding 0.6 degrees C over
last 50+ years allow a diagnosis of the
25 years is observed almost
fisheries of each LME, and inference
exclusively in moderate and high
on global trends, as LMEs are the
latitude LMEs. The warming in low
source of 80% of the global marine
latitude LMEs is several times slower
catch. This information has been
than the warming in high latitude
assembled for a soon to be published

14

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book, "The UNEP Large Marine
coastal waters with associated water
Ecosystems Report--a perspective on
quality and ecosystem degradation. An
changing conditions in LMEs of the
approach is needed such as that being
world's Regional Seas".
developed in GEF-sponsored LME

programs where all stakeholders--
11. Findings on eutrophication
including scientists, policy makers and
Land-based nutrient (nitrogen and
private sector leaders--work together
phosphorus) inputs to coastal systems
to develop a better understanding of
around the world have markedly
the issues and to identify and
increased due primarily to the
implement workable solutions. This
production of food and energy to
information has been assembled for a
support the growing population of over
soon to be published book, "The
6 billion people. The resulting nutrient
UNEP Large Marine Ecosystems
enrichment has contributed to coastal
Report--a perspective on changing
eutrophication degradation of water
conditions in LMEs of the world's
quality and coastal habitats, and
Regional Seas".
increases in hypoxic waters, among

other effects. There is a critical need to
12. Socioeconomic benefits
understand the quantitative links
The LME Approach provides a
between anthropogenic activities in
breakthrough in linking scientific
watersheds, nutrient inputs to coastal
information with the economic and
systems, and coastal ecosystem effects.
social wellbeing of coastal populations.
Many LMEs are currently hotspots of
The five information modules
nitrogen lading in both developed and
(productivity, fish and fisheries,
developing countries. A clear
pollution and ecosystem health,
understanding of the relative
socioeconomics, and governance) offer
contribution of different nutrient
a conceptual way to integrate science,
sources within an LME is needed to
management, and economic wellbeing
support development of effective
at the ecosystem scale in each of the
policies. In 73% of LMEs,
world's 64 LMEs. The innovation
anthropogenic sources account for over
provided by the LME concept is to
half of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen
allow resource managers to
(DIN) exported by rivers to the coast.
characterize and develop management
In most of these, agricultural activities
approaches at an ecosystem scale,
(fertilizer use and wastes from
typically vast ocean areas crossing one
livestock) are the dominant source of
or more national boundaries, providing
DIN loading, although atmospheric
a new foundation for cooperation
deposition and, in a few LMEs, sewage
among the countries that share them.
can also be important. Over the next 50
The biggest problem faced by our
years, human population, agricultural
oceans is that the large marine
production, and energy production are
ecosystems are over-fished and are
predicted to increase especially rapidly
terribly stressed, which has serious
in many developing regions of the
implications for the people of the
world. Regions of particular note are in
world who depend on fisheries for
southern and eastern Asia, western
their livelihoods and food security. The
Africa, and Latin America. Unless
degradation of marine life is a crisis for
substantial technological innovations
all humanity. At a time of great global
and management changes are
environmental change, the challenge is
implemented, this will lead to further
to maintain the often delicate balance
increases in nutrient inputs to LME
between the ecological sustainability

15

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of the marine ecosystems and the
The 2007 Qingdao Conference on
socioeconomic wellbeing of the
LMEs recognized the LME approach
rapidly increasing coastal populations.
and its movement into a global
For many LME practitioners, the LME
network of activity that is generating a
concept means an optimal sharing of
positive influence on marine resource
marine resources and services for the
recovery, development and
benefit of the many users in the coastal
sustainability. Progress toward greater
areas of the world.
socioeconomic benefits from the

estimated $12.6 trillion in annual LME
13. Governance Declarations
goods and services to the world

economy cannot be done alone.
The Accra Declaration
Integration, coordination and

cooperation are required in order to
In 1998, the environmental ministers
succeed. The next decade will focus on
of the 6 countries of the Gulf of
strengthening regional LME alliances,
Guinea LME Project signed the Accra
North, South, East and West, around
Declaration, which expressed their
the globe following the examples of
commitment to the project.
the African LME Alliance (ALMEA)

of 7 LME projects by countries around
"Management plans and strategies
the entire coast of Africa, and the East
should balance economic development
Asian Seas LME Alliance
with environmental protection and
(EASLMEA), to be formed by 5 East
conservation concerns".
Asian LME projects. The 7,000 strong

LME network provides a mechanism
The Beijing Declaration
for addressing issues affecting the

sustainability and health at the
In 2005, NOAA partnered with the
ecosystem level of management, and
UNEP Global Programme of Action
for requesting further funding towards
(GPA) for the Protection of the Marine
the consolidation of the LME approach
Environment from Land-based
from institutions including the G8, EU,
Activities, to assist developing nations
African Union, APEC and regional
in restoring and sustaining the goods
development banks.
and services of the world's LMEs. The

Beijing Declaration of October 2006
Capacity building is perhaps the single
has furthered the implementation of the
most important issue. Capacity and
GPA by outlining national, regional,
training need to be urgently addressed
and international actions needed to
within institutions and by private
apply ecosystem approaches, and to
industry to adapt to the ecosystem
value the social and economic costs
approach. GEF funding augmented by
and benefits of the goods and services
World Bank financial support to
that oceans and coasts can provide.
participating countries is now being
This resulted in the Beijing Declaration
applied to build the capacity for
on furthering the implementation of the
training the next generation of LME
Global Programme of Action for the
scientists and management experts
Protection of the Marine Environment
needed to move the ecosystem
from Land-based Activities.
approach forward. Greater effort is

being directed to linking ocean
14. Developing a global LME
research activities underway by the
network of scientists, technicians,
academic community with the applied
policy-makers and managers
science being practiced by LME

16

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project participants. Innovative
science (1807-2007) and of the LME
approaches need to be encouraged that
concept, identified as one of 10 major
provide educational opportunities to
breakthroughs, an event co-sponsored
young people in developing countries
by the URI Office of Marine Programs
to take up science and move forward in
and by NOAA focused on Large
a manner that advances their personal
Marine Ecosystems, inviting New
education while preparing them as the
England school teachers to attend a
next generation of LME professionals.
workshop, interact with NOAA

scientists and explore the potential of
15. Educational outreach
the LME curriculum based on the
Two DVDs have been produced, one
"Turning the Tide" DVD. The keynote
with IW:Learn on "Turning the Tide--
and workshop presentations by
Sustaining Earth's Large Marine
scientists are available on the LME
Ecosystems" (26 minutes), and another
website and on the Office of Marine
with the Guinea Current LME Project,
Programs website at:
"Africa on the Cutting Edge--Leading
http://omp.gso.uri.edu/omp/nbc/oceans
Global Marine Ecosystem Recovery"
alacarte.htm. Featured presentations
(18 minutes). The DVDs show how
include: "How to Study Primary
countries working together can help
Productivity in the Oceans from
restore our oceans and coasts for the
Space", "Primary Productivity in a
sake of those whose lives depend upon
Large Marine Ecosystem", "Fisheries
it. The Turning the Tide DVD was
and the Northeast US Shelf Large
screened in elementary, middle and
Marine Ecosystem", "Ecosystem
high school classrooms in four schools
Based Fishery Management", and
of Rhode Island, Virginia, and Ghana.
"Assessing Pollution in Large Marine
The written evaluations by the school
Ecosystems".
children indicated that the LME

concept and message, and the scientific
16. Planned activities of the LME
complexity of the issues, were
Program (2008-2010)
understood and that there was a
The past year has seen a significant
willingness on the part of the younger
increase in LME activity, with the
generation to address the problems
concept gaining wide acceptance, and
described. The positive response to a
with examples of success and
DVD which had originally been
accomplishments, including the two
designed for an adult audience led to
LME governance Commissions
the design and writing of a school
established for the Benguela Current
curriculum based on LMEs and on the
and Guinea Current LME projects,
Turning the Tide DVD by a Rhode
where 19 countries are demonstrating
Island school teacher who worked with
an advanced approach to ecosystem
the scientists of the NOAA-NMFS
based assessment and management
Narragansett Laboratory. The lesson
practices. Angola, a participating
plans produced, highlighting all five
country in both the Benguela Current
LME modules of productivity, fish and
and Guinea Current LME projects,
fisheries, pollution and ecosystem
gained full control of its fisheries by
health, socioeconomics and
prohibiting fishing by countries from
governance, are interdisciplinary and
outside the LME, with the exception of
have the flexibility to adapt to the
tuna; and the Mediterranean Sea LME
educational requirements of
countries at the conclusion of the
elementary, middle and high schools.
Beijing meeting, deciding the follow
In celebration of NOAA's 200 years of
the LME approach.

17

---

In 2008-2010, a wide scope of LME
appointed group of experts with a
activities will advance the
tentative agreement to use baseline
implementation and operationalization
information on changing ecological
of LME strategies in Africa, Asia,
conditions within the world's LMEs.
Latin America and eastern Europe.
This will serve as a basic input to the
The focus is broad and includes
global marine Assessment now
activities in the Arctic and the Pacific,
underway. The UNEP-LME report on
LME methodology development,
changing states of 64 LMEs will be
coordination with U.N. agencies and
used in the development of the
other international agencies, LME
prototype.
Foundation Projects, new LME

Projects, LME website operations,
The LME program will continue to
educational materials, volumes and
build on project development with its
publications, conferences and
U.N. agency partners such as the IOC,
workshops. The global scale of
UNIDO, UNEP, UNDEP and FAO,
activities requires continued
and with other international partners
participation in pertinent LME-related
(GEF, IUCN, IW:Learn). As a result of
conferences, symposia and workshops.
GEF's new operational strategy, a

number of LME Foundation Projects
In FY 2008-2010, the LME Program
with a full, 5-modular approach, are to
will expand its efforts to introduce
be supported with projects focused on
state of the art indicator methodologies
fisheries recovery, reduction and
that will advance assessments of
control of nutrient over-enrichment
multispecies interactions, their
and adaptation to climate change at a
linkages to oceanographic processes,
GEF replenishment level of $230
food web dynamics, and the modeling
million. Additional World Bank
and forecasting of ecosystem
Investment Funds will be available to
variability. The scope of planned
individual countries for improving the
activities is linked to the 4th GEF
health and sustainability of LMEs. The
replenishment for International Waters,
LME Program will continue to support
biodiversity and climate change. The
and assist in the planning and
LME Program in partnership with the
operationalization of 16 GEF-
GEF will support the Arctic and
supported LME projects. New LME
Pacific initiatives, in which NOAA
projects are planned for the West
will assist developing countries in
Bering Sea LME, based on direct
applying the ecosystem approach for
NOAA interaction with the GEF
the assessment and management of 17
Secretariat, and for the Sulu-Celebes
Arctic LMEs, and initiate the LME
LME, based on NOAA advice and
approach to the APEC community of
guidance to the participating countries
23 Pacific LMEs.
and to GEF. The LME website at

www.lme.noaa.gov will continue to be
The LME network will continue to
developed as a primary source for
develop ecosystem management tools
LME data and information on key
based on ecosystem indicator
areas of interest. A global LME
methodologies and the 5-modular
information network will use the LME
approach. In the international arena,
website as the gateway into a portal
the 4recent interest 3expressed by
system, making it accessible to users
scientists to focus on the regular
from projects elsewhere in the world.
reporting of changing ocean conditions
Links with the Guinea Current LME
around the globe has resulted in a UN-
project are already in place.

18

---

Curriculum and educational materials
allocation of the sustainable fishery
are beginning to be included on the
resources for industrial, artisanal, and
website. New materials will be
other legitimate stakeholder interests.
developed and added to the website.
Over 7,000 marine scientists and

policy experts are now engaged in
The LME Program will continue
LME projects. In the absence of an
publishing works on the LME
international organization empowered
approach to ocean management.
to monitor and manage marine
Conferences, meetings and workshops
ecosystems on a global scale, the GEF
both in the USA and internationally
support to LME projects will help to
will be convened with institutional
fill this gap. The GEF supported LME
partners and stakeholders, will serve as
projects in East Asia are to be
a catalyst for new projects, and will
recipients of $1 billion in World Bank
facilitate cooperation and coordination
investment fund and revolving fund
at multiple scales of government, e.g.
financial assistance to construct
local, state, federal, regional and
wastewater treatment plants, support
international.
wetlands restoration activities, and

assist fishermen from overcapitalized
17. Conclusion
fisheries to pursue alternative
The 16 GEF funded LME projects are
livelihoods.
all focused on movement toward the

marine targets agreed to by the
Large Marine Ecosystems are
political leaders at the 2002
important as holistic and practical units
Johannesburg World Summit on
for monitoring, assessing and adopting
Sustainable Development (WSSD) for
management strategies for recovering
(1) achieving substantial reductions in
and sustaining ecosystem productivity,
land-based sources of pollution; (2)
fish and fisheries, pollution and
introducing an ecosystems approach to
ecosystem health, socioeconomic
marine resource assessment and
benefits and governance mechanisms,
management by 2010; (3) designating
and for maintaining a balance between
a network of marine protected areas by
the requirements of ecosystem
2012; and (4) maintaining and
sustainability and human needs. Even
restoring fish stocks to maximum
while humanity's insatiable appetite
sustainable yield levels by 2015. It is
for marine products and marine protein
clear that the post Summit decade is to
is stressing the world's Large Marine
be one of significant progress toward
Ecosystems with serious economic
the agreed upon targets. Amidst dire
losses for local stakeholders, countries
predictions that if the world continues
have demonstrated their capacity and
at its present pace, marine ecosystems
willingness to work together toward
will unravel resulting in a global
the recovery and sustainability of
collapse of all species currently fished,
ecosystem goods and services.
the LME approach offers a way

forward. Given the application of
appropriate governance and
management measures, it should be
possible to turn the corner and make
substantial gains in advancing the
global effort to restore degraded
habitats, reduce pollution and nitrogen
over-enrichment, and achieve equitable

19

---

Annex 1
describing Large Marine Ecosystems
"The LME Time Wave"--the
and the applications of the concept.
history of the LME concept


1987
1983
AAAS meeting provides a forum for
A need to better understand ocean
reviewing the geographic boundaries
productivity leads to the pioneering of
of LMEs and examining the causes and
the concept of Large Marine
effects of natural and human
Ecosystems (LMEs), which combines
perturbations.
fisheries biology, oceanography,

ecology, law, political science and
1988
economic disciplines with geographic
A session on changing conditions in
regions in the ocean to join in a
LMEs in convened at the annual
collaborative, ecosystem-based
AAAS meeting.
approach to the assessment and

management of the goods and services
1989
so was to sustain their economic value
Selected papers of the 1987 AAAS
to countries bordering the world's 64
meeting are peer-reviewed and
LMEs. This action follows the premise
pblished by the AAAS in the volume,
put forward by Sherman and
"Biomass Yields and Geography of
Alexander that large areas of the
Large Marine Ecosystems", edited by
oceans function as ecosystems, and
Sherman and Alexander.
that pollution from air, land, and water

and overexploitation of living
1990
resources, along with natural factors,
A session was held on LMEs at the
influence the varying productivity of
AAAS meeting. Selected papers were
these ecosystems.
peer-reviewed, leading to a AAAS

volume on LME patterns, processes,
1984
and yields.
The First Symposium on the

assessment and management of Large
1990
Marine Ecosystems takes place at the
A multidisciplinary group of
annual meeting of the American
participants assembles in Monaco to
Association for the Advancement of
consider the utility of the large marine
Science (AAAS) in New York. It
ecosystem concept as a means of
provides a forum to review strategies
furthering national actions to ensure
for measuring the natural variability of
the conservation and sustainable use of
LMEs against a background of
marine resources. The results of this
increasing evidence of
first Global Conference on LMEs are
anthropogenically-induced
highlighted in the AAAS volume,
perturbations from overexploitation
"Large Marine Ecosystems--stress,
and pollution.
mitigation, and sustainability", edited

by Sherman, Alexander, and Gold.
1986

The volume, "Variability and
1991
Management of Large Marine
The first LME map, showing 49
Ecosystems", edited by Sherman and
LMEs, appears in the volume "Food
Alexander, is published by the AAAS
chains, yields, models, and
and is the first in a series of volumes
management of Large Marine

20

---

Ecosystems," edited by Sherman,
3. to designate a network of marine
Alexander, and Gold.
protected areas by 2012; and 4. to

maintain and restore fish stocks to
1992
maximum sustainable yield levels by
The United Nations Conference on
2015.
Environment and Development

(UNCED) in Brazil commits $8 billion
2004
to marine cleanup and restoration. The
The U.S. Ocean Action Plan
Global Environmental Facility (GEF),
recommends the advancement of the
a partner of the United Nations and the
use of Large Marine Ecosystems
World Bank, pledges some $650
within the United Nations
million to help developing countries
Environment Programme's Regional
restore the world's Large Marine
Seas programs and by international
Ecosystems.
fisheries bodies, as a tool for enabling

ecosystem-based management and
1994
providing a collaborative approach to
The LME approach is published. It
the management of resources within
offers five information modules
ecologically bounded transnational
(productivity, fish and fisheries,
areas.
pollution and ecosystem health,

socioeconomics, and governance) as a
2007
practical way to integrate science,
The Large Marine Ecosystem (LME)
management, and economic wellbeing
concept is selected as one of the
at the ecosystem scale in each of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
world's 64 LMEs. The five modules
Administration's (NOAA) notable
help scientists and managers
breakthroughs to be commemorated
understand, integrate and synthesize
during the 2007 celebration of
the elements needed for monitoring,
NOAA's 200 years of ocean sciences.
assessing, and managing LMEs.


2007
1999
The 2nd Global Conference on LMEs
The first of a series of annual LME
takes place in Qingdao, China. The
Consultative Committee meetings
LME approach is identified by the
takes place in Paris, France at the
Conference as an important global
headquarters of the Intergovernmental
movement toward the WSSD targets.
Oceanographic Commission of
Positive steps are being taken in
UNESCO.
applying the precautionary principle to

reduce fishing effort on depleted stocks
2002
through joint surveys. The LME
The World Summit on Sustainable
projects are collecting vital
Development (WSSD) held in
information on LME productivity, fish
Johannesburg makes a commitment to
and fisheries, and pollution and
restore the world's fisheries. The
ecosystem health.
World Summit picks up on the LME

concept in formulating four targets: 1.
2008
to achieve substantial reductions in
LMEs are highlighted at the 4th Global
land-based sources of pollution by
Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and
2006; 2. to introduce an ecosystems
Islands in Hanoi in a session on
approach to marine resource
sharing experiences and lessons in
assessment and management by 2010;
ecosystem-based regional ocean

21

---

governance, and the practical
implementation of 16 country driven
LME programs.




22

---

Steering Committee, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands*

Co-Chairs
Management Project (MACEMP),
Satya Nandan, Secretary-General,
Charles Ehler, Consultant to UNESCO
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Director, Gerard J.
Ministry of Natural Resources and
International Seabed Authority,
Julius Francis, Executive Secretary,
Mangone Center for Marine Policy,
Tourism
Jamaica
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science
University of Delaware (also Head of
Rolph Payet, Advisor to the President,
Tiago Pitta e Cunha, Member, Cabinet
Association, Tanzania
Secretariat, Global Forum)
Seychelles
of Fisheries and Maritime
Matthew Gianni, Political Advisor,
Patricio A. Bernal, Executive-
Lori Ridgeway, Director-General,
Commissioner, European Commission
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition,
Secretary, Intergovernmental
International Coordination and Policy
Mary Power, Director, Resource
Netherlands
Oceanographic Commission,
Analysis, Department of Fisheries and
Mobilization Office, World
Vladimir Golitsyn, Professor of
UNESCO, Paris, France
Oceans, Canada, and Camille Mageau,
Meteorological Association
International Law, Moscow State
Veerle Vandeweerd, Director,
Director, Marine Ecosystems
Cristelle Pratt, Director, South Pacific
University of International Relations
Environment and Energy Group,
Conservation Branch, Department of
Applied Geoscience Commission
Lynne Hale, Director, Marine
United Nations Development
Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
(SOPAC), Fiji
Strategy, The Nature Conservancy
Programme (UNDP)
Mario Ruivo, Intersectoral
Diane Quarless, Chief, Small Island
Art Hanson, former Ministerial Ocean
Governmental
Oceanographic Commission, Ministry
Developing States Unit, UNDESA
of Science, Technology, and Higher
Ambassador, Department of Fisheries
David Balton, Deputy Assistant
Education, Portugal
John Richardson, Head, Maritime
and Oceans, Canada, member of the
Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries,
Policy Task Force, European
Canadian Foundation for Innovation
Indroyono Soesilo, Chairman, Agency
Bureau of Oceans, U.S. Department of
Commission
(CFI)
for Marine and Fisheries Research,
State
Department of Marine Affairs and
Anne Rogers, United Nations
Gregor Hodgson, Director, Reef
Phil Burgess, Director, Cetacean
Fisheries, Indonesia
Department of Economic and Social
Check
Policy and Recovery, Department of
Affairs (UNDESA)
Ambassador Enele S. Sopoaga,
Paul Holthus, Independent Consultant
the Environment and Water
Tuvalu, Former Vice-Chair, Alliance
Eduard Sarukhanian, Director, World-
Gunnar Kullenberg, Independent
Resources, Australia
of Small Island Developing States
Weather-Watch-Applications, World
Consultant and former Director,
Nguyen Chu Hoi, Director, Institute of
(AOSIS)
Meteorological Organization (WMO),
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Fisheries Economics and Planning,
Switzerland
Chris Tompkins, Independent
Commission (IOC)
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Consultant
Alan Simcock, Independent
Dan Laffoley, World Commission on
Development, Vietnam
Consultant
Intergovernmental
Protected Areas-Marine, IUCN
Aldo Cosentino, Director-General,
Dann Sklarew, Director and Chief
Carl Lundin, Head, IUCN Marine
Directorate for Nature Protection, Sea
Salvatore Arico, Programme
Technical Advisor, GEF, IW:LEARN
Programme
Protection, Ministry for Environment
Specialist, Ecological Sciences,
Asterio Takesy, Director, Secretariat
and Protection of the Territory, Italy
UNESCO
Dawn Martin, President, Sea Web,
for the Pacific Regional Environment
USA
Margaret Davidson, Director, Coastal
Julian Barbiere and Stefano Belfiore,
Programme
Services Center, National Oceanic and
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Gerald Miles, The Nature
Khulood Tubaishat, Advisor, The
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commission, France
Conservancy, Pacific Region,
Regional Organization for the
USA
Chua Thia-Eng, Partnership in
Brisbane, Australia
Conservation of the Environment of
Antonio Diaz de Leon, Director-
Environmental Management for the
the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Iouri Oliounine, Executive Director,
General, Environmental, Regional
Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA),
(PERSGA)
International Ocean Institute, Malta
Integration and Sectoral Policy,
IMO/UNDP/GEF, Philippines
Chika Ukwe, Industrial Development
Pietro Parravano, President, Institute
Environment and Natural Resources
Anjan Datta, Global Programme for
Officer (International Waters), United
for Fisheries Resources, World
Ministry (SEMARNAT), Mexico
the Protection of the Marine
Nations Industrial Development
Fisheries Forum
Ambassador Angus Friday, Chair,
Environment from Land-Based
Organization (UNIDO)
Sian Pullen, Independent Consultant,
Alliance of Small Island States
Activities, The Hague
Marjo Vierros, Visiting Professor,
New Zealand, and former Head of
(AOSIS), Permanent Representative of
Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary,
Institute of Advanced Studies, United
European and Middle East Marine
Grenada to the United Nations
Convention on Biological Diversity
Nations University, Vancouver
Program, WWF International, UK
Gi-Jun Han, Ministry of Maritime
Al Duda, Senior Advisor, International
Eugenio Yunis, Chief, Sustainable
Victoria Radchenko, Director,
Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of
Waters, Global Environment Facility
Development of Tourism World
International Ocean Institute, Ukraine
Korea
(GEF)
Tourism Organization
Tony Ribbink, Director, Sustainable
Elie Jarmache, Chargé de Mission,
Serge Garcia, Independent Consultant,
A.H. Zakri, Director, Institute of
Seas Trust
Secrétariat Général de la Mer, France
and Former Director, Marine Fisheries
Advanced Studies, United Nations
Evelia Rivera-Arriaga, Centro de
Magnus Johannesson, Secretary-
Resources Division, Food and
University, Yokohama
Ecologia, Pesquerias y Oceanographia
General, Ministry for the
Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Nongovernmental
del Golfo de Mexico (EPOMEX),
Environment, Iceland
Marea E. Hatziolos, Senior Coastal
Mexico
Ambassador Jagdish Koonjul,
and Marine Specialist, Environment
Milton Asmus, International
Nirmal Jivan Shah, Chief Executive,
Mauritius, former Chair, Alliance of
Department, The World Bank
Representative, Brazilian Agency for
Nature Seychelles
Small Island States (AOSIS)
Coastal Management
Indumathie Hewawasam, Independent
Alan Simcock, former Executive
Gerhard Kuska, Associate Director
Consultant
Awni Behnam, President, International
Director, OSPAR, and former co-
and Director of Ocean and Coastal
Ocean Institute, Malta
Andrew Hudson, Principal Technical
chair, UN Informal Consultative
Policy, White House Council on
Advisor, International Waters,
Charles A. Buchanan, Administrator
Process on Ocean Affairs and Law of
Environmental Quality, USA
UNDP/GEF
Luso-American Development
the Sea
Tom Laughlin, Deputy Director,
Foundation, Portugal
David Johnson, Executive Secretary,
Nancy Targett, Dean, University of
International Affairs Office, National
OSPAR Convention, London
Torkil J. Clausen, Managing Director,
Delaware College of Marine and Earth
Oceanic and Atmospheric
DHI Water Policy and Senior Adviser,
Studies
Administration (NOAA), USA
Vladimir Mamaev, GEF Regional
Global Water Partnership
Technical Advisor, UNDP, Europe
Kristian Teleki, International Coral
Haiqing Li, Deputy Director-General,
and the CIS, Slovak Republic
Simon Cripps, Director, Global
Reef Action Network, Switzerland
State Oceanic Administration (SOA),
Marine Programme, World Wide Fund
Hiroshi Terashima, Executive
China
Franklin McDonald, Adviser, UNEP
For Nature (WWF) International
Caribbean Environment Programme
Director, Institute for Ocean Policy,
John Low, Adviser to the Minister of
(UNEP/CEP), and former Director,
Richard Delaney, Executive Director,
Ocean Policy Research Foundation,
Marine Resources for the Cook Islands
National Environmental Policy
Center for Coastal Studies,
Japan
Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Deputy Minister
Agency, Jamaica
Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA
Grant Trebble, African Marine and
of Environmental Affairs and
Vaclav Mikulka, Director, UN
Annick de Marffy, former Director of
Coastal Resource Over-exploitation
Tourism, South Africa
Division for Ocean Affairs and the
Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of
Prevention Strategy (AMCROPS),
Jan Mees, Director, Flanders Marine
Law of the Sea
the Sea (UNDOALOS), United
South Africa
Institute, Belgium
Nations International Consultant
Ali Mohamed, Coordinator, Coastal
Philippe Vallette and Manuel Cira,
Guillermo Garcia Montero, President,
and Marine Secretariat, New
Sylvia Earle, Chair, Deep Ocean
NAUSICAA, France, and the World
National Aquarium, Havana, Cuba
Partnership for Africa's Development
Exploration and Research (DOER),
Ocean Network
and Explorer-in-Residence, National
Magnus Ngoile, Team Leader, Marine
(NEPAD), Kenya
Geographic Society
David VanderZwaag, IUCN Specialist
and Coastal Environmental
Group on Ocean Law and Governance
* Please note: Members of the Steering Committee participate in their individual capacities.

---

---

Steering Committee, Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands*

Co-Chairs
Management Project (MACEMP),
Satya Nandan, Secretary-General,
Charles Ehler, Consultant to UNESCO
Biliana Cicin-Sain, Director, Gerard J.
Ministry of Natural Resources and
International Seabed Authority,
Julius Francis, Executive Secretary,
Mangone Center for Marine Policy,
Tourism
Jamaica
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science
University of Delaware (also Head of
Rolph Payet, Advisor to the President,
Tiago Pitta e Cunha, Member, Cabinet
Association, Tanzania
Secretariat, Global Forum)
Seychelles
of Fisheries and Maritime
Matthew Gianni, Political Advisor,
Patricio A. Bernal, Executive-
Lori Ridgeway, Director-General,
Commissioner, European Commission
Deep Sea Conservation Coalition,
Secretary, Intergovernmental
International Coordination and Policy
Mary Power, Director, Resource
Netherlands
Oceanographic Commission,
Analysis, Department of Fisheries and
Mobilization Office, World
Vladimir Golitsyn, Professor of
UNESCO, Paris, France
Oceans, Canada, and Camille Mageau,
Meteorological Association
International Law, Moscow State
Veerle Vandeweerd, Director,
Director, Marine Ecosystems
Cristelle Pratt, Director, South Pacific
University of International Relations
Environment and Energy Group,
Conservation Branch, Department of
Applied Geoscience Commission
Lynne Hale, Director, Marine
United Nations Development
Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
(SOPAC), Fiji
Strategy, The Nature Conservancy
Programme (UNDP)
Mario Ruivo, Intersectoral
Diane Quarless, Chief, Small Island
Art Hanson, former Ministerial Ocean
Governmental
Oceanographic Commission, Ministry
Developing States Unit, UNDESA
of Science, Technology, and Higher
Ambassador, Department of Fisheries
David Balton, Deputy Assistant
Education, Portugal
John Richardson, Head, Maritime
and Oceans, Canada, member of the
Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries,
Policy Task Force, European
Canadian Foundation for Innovation
Indroyono Soesilo, Chairman, Agency
Bureau of Oceans, U.S. Department of
Commission
(CFI)
for Marine and Fisheries Research,
State
Department of Marine Affairs and
Anne Rogers, United Nations
Gregor Hodgson, Director, Reef
Phil Burgess, Director, Cetacean
Fisheries, Indonesia
Department of Economic and Social
Check
Policy and Recovery, Department of
Affairs (UNDESA)
Ambassador Enele S. Sopoaga,
Paul Holthus, Independent Consultant
the Environment and Water
Tuvalu, Former Vice-Chair, Alliance
Eduard Sarukhanian, Director, World-
Gunnar Kullenberg, Independent
Resources, Australia
of Small Island Developing States
Weather-Watch-Applications, World
Consultant and former Director,
Nguyen Chu Hoi, Director, Institute of
(AOSIS)
Meteorological Organization (WMO),
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Fisheries Economics and Planning,
Switzerland
Chris Tompkins, Independent
Commission (IOC)
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Consultant
Alan Simcock, Independent
Dan Laffoley, World Commission on
Development, Vietnam
Consultant
Intergovernmental
Protected Areas-Marine, IUCN
Aldo Cosentino, Director-General,
Dann Sklarew, Director and Chief
Carl Lundin, Head, IUCN Marine
Directorate for Nature Protection, Sea
Salvatore Arico, Programme
Technical Advisor, GEF, IW:LEARN
Programme
Protection, Ministry for Environment
Specialist, Ecological Sciences,
Asterio Takesy, Director, Secretariat
and Protection of the Territory, Italy
UNESCO
Dawn Martin, President, Sea Web,
for the Pacific Regional Environment
USA
Margaret Davidson, Director, Coastal
Julian Barbiere and Stefano Belfiore,
Programme
Services Center, National Oceanic and
Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Gerald Miles, The Nature
Khulood Tubaishat, Advisor, The
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commission, France
Conservancy, Pacific Region,
Regional Organization for the
USA
Chua Thia-Eng, Partnership in
Brisbane, Australia
Conservation of the Environment of
Antonio Diaz de Leon, Director-
Environmental Management for the
the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Iouri Oliounine, Executive Director,
General, Environmental, Regional
Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA),
(PERSGA)
International Ocean Institute, Malta
Integration and Sectoral Policy,
IMO/UNDP/GEF, Philippines
Chika Ukwe, Industrial Development
Pietro Parravano, President, Institute
Environment and Natural Resources
Anjan Datta, Global Programme for
Officer (International Waters), United
for Fisheries Resources, World
Ministry (SEMARNAT), Mexico
the Protection of the Marine
Nations Industrial Development
Fisheries Forum
Ambassador Angus Friday, Chair,
Environment from Land-Based
Organization (UNIDO)
Sian Pullen, Independent Consultant,
Alliance of Small Island States
Activities, The Hague
Marjo Vierros, Visiting Professor,
New Zealand, and former Head of
(AOSIS), Permanent Representative of
Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary,
Institute of Advanced Studies, United
European and Middle East Marine
Grenada to the United Nations
Convention on Biological Diversity
Nations University, Vancouver
Program, WWF International, UK
Gi-Jun Han, Ministry of Maritime
Al Duda, Senior Advisor, International
Eugenio Yunis, Chief, Sustainable
Victoria Radchenko, Director,
Affairs and Fisheries, Republic of
Waters, Global Environment Facility
Development of Tourism World
International Ocean Institute, Ukraine
Korea
(GEF)
Tourism Organization
Tony Ribbink, Director, Sustainable
Elie Jarmache, Chargé de Mission,
Serge Garcia, Independent Consultant,
A.H. Zakri, Director, Institute of
Seas Trust
Secrétariat Général de la Mer, France
and Former Director, Marine Fisheries
Advanced Studies, United Nations
Evelia Rivera-Arriaga, Centro de
Magnus Johannesson, Secretary-
Resources Division, Food and
University, Yokohama
Ecologia, Pesquerias y Oceanographia
General, Ministry for the
Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Nongovernmental
del Golfo de Mexico (EPOMEX),
Environment, Iceland
Marea E. Hatziolos, Senior Coastal
Mexico
Ambassador Jagdish Koonjul,
and Marine Specialist, Environment
Milton Asmus, International
Nirmal Jivan Shah, Chief Executive,
Mauritius, former Chair, Alliance of
Department, The World Bank
Representative, Brazilian Agency for
Nature Seychelles
Small Island States (AOSIS)
Coastal Management
Indumathie Hewawasam, Independent
Alan Simcock, former Executive
Gerhard Kuska, Associate Director
Consultant
Awni Behnam, President, International
Director, OSPAR, and former co-
and Director of Ocean and Coastal
Ocean Institute, Malta
Andrew Hudson, Principal Technical
chair, UN Informal Consultative
Policy, White House Council on
Advisor, International Waters,
Charles A. Buchanan, Administrator
Process on Ocean Affairs and Law of
Environmental Quality, USA
UNDP/GEF
Luso-American Development
the Sea
Tom Laughlin, Deputy Director,
Foundation, Portugal
David Johnson, Executive Secretary,
Nancy Targett, Dean, University of
International Affairs Office, National
OSPAR Convention, London
Torkil J. Clausen, Managing Director,
Delaware College of Marine and Earth
Oceanic and Atmospheric
DHI Water Policy and Senior Adviser,
Studies
Administration (NOAA), USA
Vladimir Mamaev, GEF Regional
Global Water Partnership
Technical Advisor, UNDP, Europe
Kristian Teleki, International Coral
Haiqing Li, Deputy Director-General,
and the CIS, Slovak Republic
Simon Cripps, Director, Global
Reef Action Network, Switzerland
State Oceanic Administration (SOA),
Marine Programme, World Wide Fund
Hiroshi Terashima, Executive
China
Franklin McDonald, Adviser, UNEP
For Nature (WWF) International
Caribbean Environment Programme
Director, Institute for Ocean Policy,
John Low, Adviser to the Minister of
(UNEP/CEP), and former Director,
Richard Delaney, Executive Director,
Ocean Policy Research Foundation,
Marine Resources for the Cook Islands
National Environmental Policy
Center for Coastal Studies,
Japan
Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Deputy Minister
Agency, Jamaica
Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA
Grant Trebble, African Marine and
of Environmental Affairs and
Vaclav Mikulka, Director, UN
Annick de Marffy, former Director of
Coastal Resource Over-exploitation
Tourism, South Africa
Division for Ocean Affairs and the
Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of
Prevention Strategy (AMCROPS),
Jan Mees, Director, Flanders Marine
Law of the Sea
the Sea (UNDOALOS), United
South Africa
Institute, Belgium
Nations International Consultant
Ali Mohamed, Coordinator, Coastal
Philippe Vallette and Manuel Cira,
Guillermo Garcia Montero, President,
and Marine Secretariat, New
Sylvia Earle, Chair, Deep Ocean
NAUSICAA, France, and the World
National Aquarium, Havana, Cuba
Partnership for Africa's Development
Exploration and Research (DOER),
Ocean Network
and Explorer-in-Residence, National
Magnus Ngoile, Team Leader, Marine
(NEPAD), Kenya
Geographic Society
David VanderZwaag, IUCN Specialist
and Coastal Environmental
Group on Ocean Law and Governance
* Please note: Members of the Steering Committee participate in their individual capacities.

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