MEDITERRANEAN ACTION PLAN NOTE ON THE ECOSYSTEMS APPROACH PROCESS IN BIENNIUM

Transcription

1 MEDITERRANEAN ACTION PLAN NOTE ON THE ECOSYSTEMS APPROACH PROCESS IN BIENNIUM UNEP/MAP Athens, 2012

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3 Page 1 PURPOSE OF THIS NOTE During the last three COP Meetings, Contracting Parties have emphasized the importance of the Ecosystems Approach (EcAp) to management of human activities with a view to conserve natural marine heritage and protecting vital ecosystem services. Contracting Parties expectations of progress in implementing the Ecosystems Approach in the Mediterranean are high. Given its cross-cutting nature the Ecosystems Approach has implications for the whole MAP system. At the request of the EcAp Coordination Group and with a view to ensure synergistic work and integration throughout the UNEP/MAP system, this note is meant to: summarize progress achieved to date; clarify the tasks to be undertaken during this biennium; outline the processes and structure agreed to reach such a goal at the first ECAP Coordination Group; and, request focal points to nominate experts and representatives for the different tasks to be undertaken. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE ECOSYSTEMS APPROACH FOR THE BARCELONA CONVENTION The Ecosystem Approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way, as stated by Convention of Biological Diversity. It goes beyond examining single issues, species, or ecosystem functions in isolation. Instead, it recognizes ecological systems for what they are: rich mixes of elements that interact with each other continuously. This understanding is particularly important for coasts and seas, where the nature of water keeps systems and functions connected. The main valued added of the Ecosystems Approach in the context of the Barcelona Convention is a renewed emphasis on implementation and integration that will strengthen our ability to understand and address cumulative risks and effects as well as to better focus our action on priority targets. Simply put, the EcAp brings MAP s many sectoral analyses and management measures into a single integrated framework which will results in an adaptive management strategy that will be periodically monitored, evaluated and revised through a rigorous Six-year Management Cycle. THE MEDITERRANEAN ECAP PROCESS TO DATE Decisions IG 17/6 Implementation of the ecosystem approach to the management of human activities that may affect the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment and IG 20/4 Implementing MAP ecosystem approach roadmap: Mediterranean Ecological and Operational Objectives, Indicators and Timetable for implementing the ecosystem approach roadmap adopted by the Contracting parties to the Barcelona Convention respectively in COP 15 (2008) and COP17 (2012) articulate a systematic process for moving forward towards more effective ecosystemsbased management in the Mediterranean. They also contain the agreement reached on the progress achieved and define priorities on the way forward.

4 Page 2 The progress achieved to date in the seven steps process identified for moving towards a more effective, ecosystem-based management is as follows: I. Definition of an Ecological Vision for the Mediterranean. A healthy Mediterranean with marine and coastal ecosystems that are productive and biologically diverse for the benefit of present and future generations ; II. Setting of common Mediterranean strategic goals. a. To protect, allow recovery and, where practicable, restore the structure and function of marine and coastal ecosystems thus also protecting biodiversity, in order to achieve and maintain good ecological status and allow for their sustainable use. b. To reduce pollution in the marine and coastal environment so as to minimize impacts on and risks to human and/or ecosystem health and/or uses of the sea and the coasts. c. To prevent, reduce and manage the vulnerability of the sea and the coasts to risks induced by human activities and natural events. III. IV. Identification of important ecosystem properties and assessment of ecological status and pressures. The UNEP/MAP Barcelona Convention Initial Integrated Assessment (Step 3) peer reviewed by GESAMP was completed in 2011 and disseminated to the COP as document IG.20/Inf.8. The Integrated Assessment contains information on the overall nature of the ecosystems in the Mediterranean, including physical and ecological characteristics, pressures that affect the state of the marine environment, conditions or state of the coastal and marine ecosystems, and expected response of ecosystem if trends continue. It identifies existing pressures and impacts affecting the Mediterranean region as well as emerging ones. It has also been useful in highlighting information availability and needs going into the future. Development of a set of ecological objectives corresponding to the Vision and strategic goals. The following ecological objectives have been defined through an intensive process of consultation led by the UNEP/MAP Secretariat fully owned by the Contracting Parties and with participation of MAP Partners and technical experts: 1. Biological diversity is maintained or enhanced. The quality and occurrence of coastal and marine habitats and the distribution and abundance of coastal and marine species are in line with prevailing physiographic, hydrographic, geographic, and climatic conditions. 2. Non-indigenous species introduced by human activities are at levels that do not adversely alter the ecosystem. 3. Populations of selected commercially exploited fish and shellfish are within biologically safe limits, exhibiting a population age and size distribution that is indicative of a healthy stock.

5 Page 3 4. Alterations to components of marine food webs caused by resource extraction or human-induced environmental changes do not have long-term adverse effects on food web dynamics and related viability. 5. Human-induced eutrophication is prevented, especially adverse effects thereof, such as losses in biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, harmful algal blooms, and oxygen deficiency in bottom waters. 6. Sea-floor integrity is maintained, especially in priority benthic habitats. 7. Alteration of hydrographic conditions does not adversely affect coastal and marine ecosystems. 8. The natural dynamics of coastal areas are maintained and coastal ecosystems and landscapes are preserved. 9. Contaminants cause no significant impact on coastal and marine ecosystems and human health. 10. Marine and coastal litter does not adversely affect coastal and marine environments. 11. Noise from human activities causes no significant impact on marine and coastal ecosystems. Corresponding 28 operational objectives and 61 indicators is provided in Annex I The remaining 3 steps of the 7-step process will form the bulk of the forthcoming work for the fullfledge EcAP process in the Mediterranean, and include: V. Derivation of operational objectives with indicators and target levels. VI. Revision of existing monitoring programmes for ongoing assessment and regular updating of targets. VII. Development and review of relevant action plans and programmes; TASKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN DURING THIS BIENNIUM The implementation of the EcAp in has been organized around four specific pillars which capture the main deliverables expected from the Parties and further strengthen and complete the application of the seven steps for the implementation of the EcAp. These are: o Targets and Good Environmental Status. Work on methodologies for the determination of good environmental status and target for each of the 11 agreed Ecological Objectives; and implement a pilot case which successfully tests EcAp indicators (Step 5); o Monitoring. Initial steps to prepare an integrated monitoring system based on the indicators and targets (Step 6); o Assessment. Complement the integrated assessment of the Mediterranean Ecosystem with a socio-economic analysis and establish an assessment cycle by

6 Page 4 developing a UNEP/MAP policy on assessments of the marine and coastal environment to be periodically implemented (Step 3); and, o Develop and review relevant measures for implementation of EcAp (Step 7). The process is elaborated below in details: i. Development of Good Environmental Status and Targets for the Mediterranean With a view to agree on good environmental status and targets, expert discussion on methodologies, targets, indicators and thresholds for each of the 11 Ecological Objectives of the EcAp for the Mediterranean will take place as follows: Identification and consultation with regard to GES and targets: technical workshops with regional, sub regional and national experts, scientific expert advice on GES and targets; involving the necessary research, and scientific knowledge through consultation and validation with the scientific community of the work carried out; Existing Data gathering and data gap analysis; Proposal to the Contracting Parties meeting in 2013 of GES and targets, for those that data would be available and subject to agreement by the Contracting parties.

7 Page 5 GUIDANCE TO GES AND TARGETS CORRESPONDENCE GROUP AND THE CLUSTERS (*) The first Meeting of Ecosystem Approach (EcAp) Coordination Group, was held in Athens, Greece on May The Group provided guidance for the GES and Targets Correspondence Group and the Clusters to enable a common methodology, including the following points: Clusters should initially establish GES, focused on state, for each EO; Clusters should consider thematic integration as targets are being defined, such that targets for one EO are developed with other EOs in mind, reflecting the interplay of various ecosystem components and processes. Initially this integration might occur across the Clusters (i.e. within biodiversity cluster, pollution cluster, or coastal zone cluster), but eventually integration will have to happen across all EOs. Geographic integration will be accomplished at various scales in the rollout of pilots and national initiatives but data compatibility should be considered in order to allow integration at the subregional and Mediterranean scale; The Secretariat should prepare an inventory of already identified objectives / targets existing under protocols, strategies, action plans, protected areas and other areas of ecological significance, biennial implementation plans, other treaties, etc. should be prepared to serve as a foundation for discussion of targets and GES. Priority should be given to what has been agreed under the Barcelona Convention; Targets should address pressure, state or impacts related to the ecological objectives, operational objectives and indicators. More information is generally available on pressures than on state and impacts for a specific issue. The establishment of pressure targets emanating from human activities will allow the design of coherent management measures using the precautionary approach and serve well the ecosystem approach; The detailed understanding of OOs, as related to the indicators accepted by the COP, should be agreed early in the work of the Clusters, so as to capture the intent of EOs and the need to identify reasonable targets with regards to criteria defined by socio-economic analysis; Scale should be tackled in the discussion of each EO, including whether at a specified scale, indicators associated with OOs can be assessed qualitatively, quantitatively, and whether data exist. In principle, scales should be national and when possible regional (Mediterranean) and transboundary or sub-regional. GES should be defined at a higher scale (Mediterranean or sub-regional) than the targets (which will be defined at national or sub-national) The aim of all Clusters should be to identify targets that are as quantitative as possible. For some EOs targets will likely be qualitative, reflecting upward or downward trend and not tied to specific timelines (slope of trend). Phasing can allow more quantitative approaches to be utilized as EcAp implementation progresses. For some EOs threshold determination may be possible immediately while other may have to rely on trend information; Reference conditions versus background conditions should be discussed by each Cluster; setting targets and GES determinations should steer countries towards priorities for restoration, not just maintenance of status quo; Indicators and Targets should be prioritized in regards to contribution to overall Mediterranean-wide ecosystem health and productivity. The degree to which some indicators and targets are more of a priority than others, and perhaps some EOs are more of a priority than others, should be addressed by each cluster and the criteria used specified; and, Clusters should come to terms with the situation that arises when a country does not have enough information to address a particular OO. A prioritized or ranked/weighted system of targets should focus on priorities relating to impact, as well as data availability. (*) The structure of Correspondence Groups and Clusters is explained in Governance Chapter.

8 Page 6 At the initiative of the countries concerned, it is also encouraged to develop EcAp pilot projects at various scales (subnational, national and trans-boundary) and distributed throughout the Mediterranean to allow: i. testing the proposals under EcAp (including the viability of target development and thematic integration); ii. iii. allowing assessment of data availability and compatibility; and, implementing geographic integration. For the purposes of integration, it would be useful if at least one of the pilots is carried out at a small scale as well as at least one trans-boundary pilot that span different countries. ii. The preparation of a regional integrated monitoring programme for ongoing assessment of the quality of the marine and coastal environment in line with the implementation of the Ecosystem approach The aim of this pillar is designing an updated integrated monitoring system for the Mediterranean to fit the data needs to assess progress towards GES achievement. The expected regional monitoring programme will take into account the agreed ecosystem approach indicators including biodiversity related. The integrated monitoring programme will be prepared by MED POL in cooperation with SPA/RAC (with contribution from PAP/RAC and REMPEC where appropriate), in line with the EcAp Ecological Objectives, Operational Objectives relevant targets and indicators. The summary of the process is as follows: a) Mobilisation of the necessary scientific and technical expertise, including national experts, research projects (i.e. PERSEUS, CoCoNet and others), and international/regional institutions experts groups (i.e. other Regional Seas Conventions around Europe, GFCM, IUCN, CIESM, etc.). The contribution of these groups will be through hosting meetings, providing technical expertise during the workshops, supporting moderation, provision of data and information and providing support form reporting, as need be. b) organisation of Monitoring Correspondence Group and Clusters meetings, taking into account the outcomes of the GES and Targets Correspondence Group and Clusters meetings; c) coordination and consultation within MAP system and with other regional bodies where appropriate as per their respective mandates; and, d) submission of the proposal to MAP decision making bodies. An assessment of national needs for capacity building for the implementation of the integrated monitoring programme of EcAp will also be undertaken in non-eu Mediterranean countries, including a capacity development programme proposal.

9 Page 7 It is planned to initiate the preparatory work of the integrated monitoring programme by the end of biennium. Three meetings of the Corresponding Group on Monitoring (COR-MON) on Pollution and Litter, Biodiversity and Fisheries, and ICZM and Hydrological Conditions Clusters, to establish a common understanding on monitoring, identify possible open questions and missing components, review existing monitoring programmes implemented by Mediterranean countries and share existing good practices in establishing monitoring programmes. Presentation of the consolidated outcome of the COR-MON process in COP 18, to inform countries on the initial steps undertaken towards the establishment of the integrated monitoring programme of MAP. iii. Socio-Economic Analysis A priority activity is to complement the integrated assessment by developing, a socio-economic analysis of the Mediterranean, which further develops the preliminary study on ecosystem services carried out by Blue Plan/RAC - UNEP/MAP in the previous biennium. In this context, Blue Plan/RAC will further develop a socio economic analysis of marine ecosystems uses, focusing on priority sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, recreational activities, oil industry and offshore; the overall objective being to elaborate a common understanding and to foster a broad appropriation by Mediterranean riparian countries of the social and economic dimensions involved in the EcAp implementation. The program of activities is as follows: Preparation of the economic and social analysis at regional and sub-regional scale of the human activities (mainly fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, recreational activities, oil industry and offshore) using the Mediterranean Sea and its coastal zone, including the costs of degradation for human wealth in the absence of the implementation of the relevant actions plans and programmes of measures aiming to achieve or maintain GES; Development of guidelines for national studies. Guidelines for national studies will be built as an adaptation to the Mediterranean context of the Guidance document produced within the EU MSFD process by the ESA WG in the frame of the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS). Other sources of inspirations will be considered as results of relevant other WG of the MSFD CIS, the UN Regular Process of the General Assembly on the state of the marine environment including socio-economic aspects, OSPAR assessment, System of Environmental Economic Accounts. Adaptations will be mainly done for the countries that are not EU member states and will bear on regional aspects such as specificities of the Mediterranean ecosystems or lack of data. It is planned to finalize the economic and social analysis in 2013, ensuring that the process was supported by the Economic and Social Analysis Correspondence Group, and submit the outcome to COP 18. The development of guidelines for national studies will kick-off in October 2012.

10 Page 8 In addition, during this biennium, it will be a priority to establish an integrated policy on assessments for all of UNEP/MAP priority sectorial policies and Action Plans with a common time frame and the synergies to be established between them in order to take into account ecological objectives and progress in their implementation in a coherent and consistent manner. In this process, the gaps identified in these assessments will be systematically addressed. iv. Developing and reviewing relevant measures for implementation of EcAp The UNEP/MAP Barcelona Convention has already developed several systems to enhance the quality and management of the marine environment and its resources many of which are planned to be revised in the course of the current biennium including SAP BIO, SAP MED and others. All those revisions as foreseen in the UNEP/MAP Programme of Work will be undertaken through the specific measures and mechanisms identified in the Programme of Work. This process will be fed by the outcomes achieved in the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach, in particular the GES and targets. The inventory of already identified objectives / targets existing under protocols, strategies, action plans, protected areas and other areas of ecological significance, biennial implementation plans, other treaties, etc. to serve as a foundation for discussion of targets and GES, will also serve as a gap analysis regarding the measures within the existing Strategies, Action Plans and other major references. The major outcome planned for this biennium will be the inventory documents for Pollution, Biodiversity and ICZM and Hydrographic Conditions Clusters. The initial steps of the measures process will extend to next biennium in line with the previous steps of the EcAp Process. During the current biennium following major activities will be undertaken: Evaluation of NAP SAP: One of the expected outcomes of this evaluation will be the elaboration of recommendations on how to fully integrate ECAP road map outcome while developing new or updating existing pollution related measures and programmes in the future. Elaboration of the Marine Litter Regional Plan in the framework of the Article 15 of the LBS will be the first Regional Plan/Measure that will take into account the outcome of the implementation of the ECAP road map (GES and Targets as appropriate) in regards to pollution. Evaluation of SAP-BIO. The updating of the Strategic Programme to protect marine and coastal biodiversity (SAP BIO) with the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and ecosystems approach.

11 Page 9 EcAp GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE Given the complexity of the task to be carried out COP 17 decided to establish an ECAP Coordination Group consisting of MAP focal points, the Coordinating Unit, the MAP components and MAP partners to oversee the implementation of the ecosystem approach, identifying progress gaps in the implementation of the road map and find feasible solutions for the advancement of the ECAP agenda. BUREAU COP EcAp CG CORRESPONDENCE GROUP ON GES & TARGETS CLUSTERS: POLLUTION AND LITTER BIODIVERSITY AND FISHERIES INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT & HYDROLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCE GROUP ON MONITORING CLUSTERS: POLLUTION AND LITTER BIODIVERSITY AND FISHERIES INTEGRATED COASTAL MANAGEMENT & HYDROLOGICAL CORRESPONDENCE GROUP ON ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS Coordination support by UNEP/MAP CU and its components In accordance with the Decision IG.20/4, EcAp CG will integrate and give guidance to the work under the Barcelona Convention: a) On the delivery of the ecosystem approach, making sure that all elements for its implementation are taken into account, weighting of priorities and resource implications; and, b) Coordinating UNEP/MAP s facilitation role, in support of Contracting Parties in their implementation of EcAp. Three Correspondence Groups will be formed in the process of application of EcAp in the Mediterranean and to support EcAP Coordination Group: 1. The Correspondence Group on GES and Targets will be composed of national experts designated by the Contracting Parties, and will be coordinated by the UNEP/MAP components and the Coordinating Unit. It will work to ensure efficient coverage and in-

12 Page 10 depth discussions and analysis of all Ecological Objectives (EOs) and it will be made up of 3 clusters: 1) Pollution and litter related EOs (EOs 5, 9, 10 and 11); 2) Biodiversity and Fisheries related EOs (EOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6); and 3) ICZM and Hydrological Conditions related EOs (EOs 7 and 8). The expected outcome of the group is defining the methodology for Mediterranean targets, as well as identifying regional targets through a participatory process involving contracting parties and MAP components, to be submitted to COP The Correspondence Group on Monitoring will be composed of national experts designated by the Contracting Parties, and will be coordinated by UNEP/MAP Coordinating Unit and MED POL. It will work to ensure efficient coverage and in-depth discussions and analysis regarding integrated monitoring, with reference to the outcomes of WG-GEST and it will be made up of 3 clusters: 1) Pollution and litter related EOs (EOs 5, 9, 10 and 11); 2) Biodiversity and Fisheries related EOs (EOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6); and 3) ICZM and Hydrological Conditions related EOs (EOs 7 and 8). A Regional Thematic Expert will be assigned to each cluster to ensure coordination and provide technical assistance. The expected outcome of the group is determination of the methodology to be applied for the preparation of the integrated monitoring programme, which will be submitted to EcAp CG for endorsement. 3. The Correspondence Group on Economic and Social Analysis will be composed of national experts designated by the Contracting Parties and invited experts, and coordinated by UNEP/MAP Coordinating Unit and BP/RAC. It will further develop a socio economic analysis of marine ecosystems uses, focusing on priority sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, recreational activities, and oil industry and offshore. The overall objective of this group is to elaborate a common understanding and to foster a broad appropriation by Mediterranean riparian countries of the social and economic dimensions involved in the EcAp implementation. Coordination at national level The effective implementation of EcAp in the Mediterranean will require a high level degree of ownership and active participation of countries. Thus, it is essential that the regional process be supported by aligned national processes according to national arrangements and specificities. In developing national arrangements, it is important to note that the effectiveness of the Correspondence Groups will require a combination of deep understanding of the issues being addressed with integration of sectorial knowledge. For example, the Pollution and Litter cluster needs to consider eutrophication, marine litter, contaminants and noise pollution; the Biodiversity and Fisheries one requires expertise on species, fisheries, marine food webs and sea-floor integrity; and, in the ICZM and Hydrological conditions one on hydrography, coastal ecosystems and landscapes. This implies that the clusters should also combine knowledge of topics being addressed by several Focal Points of the UNEP/MAP components, such as MED POL and REMPEC on marine pollution; or knowledge coordinated by other Regional Organizations such as GFCM for fisheries.

13 Page 11 For these reasons, the first meeting of Ecosystem Approach (EcAp) Coordination Group (29-30 May 2012, Athens) established the following coordination structure to ensure national ownership of the process: 1. the MAP Focal Points are the members of the EcAp Coordination Group as per Decision IG.20/4 of COP17; 2. countries will nominate a representative to each cluster of the Correspondence Group on GES and Targets (Pollution and litter, Biodiversity and Fisheries, ICZM and Hydrological Conditions). Countries will either appoint one of these representatives or another person as overall national coordinator/focal person so as to ensure integration in GES and targets work; 3. countries will nominate a representative to each cluster of the Correspondence Group on Monitoring (Pollution and litter, Biodiversity and Fisheries, ICZM and Hydrological Conditions). Countries will either appoint one of these representatives or another person as overall national coordinator/focal person so as to ensure integration in monitoring related work; 4. countries will nominate a representative to the Correspondence Group on Economic and Social Analysis; and, 5. in order to ensure an efficient national and regional consultation processes, countries will also identify experts for different themes in line with each EO, or otherwise as per countries own decision as relevant. These experts will support the Correspondence Group representative of each country so as to ensure relevant and adequate contribution of the countries in an integrated manner to the objectives of the Correspondence Group meetings.