The Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) in the south-east Atlantic covers the territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ's) of Angola and Namibia and partly of South Africa. Increasing demands, user-user and user-environment conflicts occur throughout the area. The three countries, which are parties to the Benguela Current Convention (BCC), have begun to implement Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to support the sustainable development of the area and enhance ocean governance. This makes the region one of the first in a developing economies context and on the African continent to introduce MSP. The article (1) traces the origin of MSP in the region and describes the reasons for its development, (2) reviews the status of MSP processes to date at the regional and national level, and (3) reflects on the regional and individual country processes in terms of differences and similarities in approach and process governance, shared opportunities and difficulties. The study finds that MSP in the region is introduced because of both strong interests to use it as a means to help grow the blue/ocean economy and as a mechanism to further the implementation of the ecosystem approach. Similar steps have been taken so far and alike approaches to MSP exist across the three countries, with the BCC as regional convention facilitating knowledge sharing and assisting to improve cross-border coherence and consistency on MSP from the outset. Although challenges, such as limited finances and data gaps exist both at national and regional level, the MSP processes to-date have created an enabling environment to develop the first marine spatial plans in each country and to exchange knowledge and experiences within the region and with other regions.

The territorial waters and EEZ of Namibia are part of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem in the South-East Atlantic. Growing demands and conflicts emerge although the area is not as intensely used as marine areas elsewhere. Namibia has chosen Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) as an integrated approach to facilitate sustainable ocean development and improved ocean governance. The paper explores the reality of the Namibian MSP process to date by investigating two guiding research questions: (1) What makes the Namibian approach to MSP distinct? and (2) What are the opportunities and difficulties of the Namibian MSP process in that particular context? The country's approach to MSP features a series of distinct attributes, not least due to its unique environmental and socio-economic context. Namibian MSP is highly precautionary and forward-looking given the relatively low intensity of current uses, has a strong ecosystem-based perspective due to the fairly pristine environment, is driven by a social equity and distributive justice agenda, and features a strong collaborative process governance. Whilst challenges such as limited financial resources, lacking legislation and weak links to broader ocean governance exist, the MSP process, which was linked to a systematic conservation planning process from the outset, has however resulted in a clear framework for the development of the first marine plan.

Understanding the spatial dynamics of populations is essential for conservation of species at the landscape level. Species that have adapted to stable environments may not move from their breeding areas even if these have become sub-optimal due to anthropogenic disturbances. Instead, they may breed unsuccessfully or choose not to breed at all. Damara Terns Sternula balaenarum feed off the highly productive Benguela Upwelling System. They breed on the coastal desert mainland of Namibia where development and off-road driving is threatening breeding areas. We report annual survival and breeding dispersal probabilities of 214 breeding adult Damara Terns through capture-mark-recapture at two colonies for 9 years (2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009) in central Namibia. Using multi-state models in program MARK, model selection based on AICc favoured a model that suggests local annual survival of Damara Terns for the dataset was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.73-0.96) and the annual dispersal probability was 0.06 (0.03-0.12). High survival and low dispersal probabilities are consistent with other seabirds adapted to stable environments. These estimates contribute to the first baseline demographic information for the Damara Tern. Low dispersal probabilities indicate that current protection of breeding sites is an important management approach for protecting the species. ZusammenfassungJährliche Ü berlebensrate und Brutortstreuung bei einem an stabile Umweltbedingungen angepassten Seevogel: Auswirkung auf Schutzmaßnahmen Um Arten auf Landschaftsebene zu schützen ist es wichtig, die räumliche Dynamik der Populationen zu verstehen. Es ist möglich, dass Arten, die an eine stabile Umwelt angepasst sind, ihre Brutgebiete nicht verändern können, selbst wenn diese infolge anthropogener Veränderungen nicht mehr optimal sind. Stattdessen könnten sie dort erfolglos zu brüten versuchen oder gar nicht mehr brüten. Damara-Seeschwalben S. balaenarum ernähren sich im hochproduktiven Benguela Auftriebsgebiet. Sie brüten an der Küste der Namibwüste, wo Ü berbauungen und Fahren im Gelände ihre Brutgebiete gefährdet. Wir präsentieren jährliche Ü berlebensraten und Dispersionswahrscheinlichkeiten basierend auf 214 brütenden adulten Damara-Seeschwalben, ermittelt durch Fang-Wiederfang Methoden über neun Jahre Modelle in Programm MARK zeigten für diese Daten, dass die jährliche lokale Ü berlebensrate von Damara-Seeschwalben 0.88 (95% Vertrauernsbereich 0.73-0.96) war und die jährliche Dispersionswahrscheinlichkeit zwischen den Kolonien betrug 0.06 (0.03-0.12). Die hohe Ü berlebensrate und niedrige Dispersionswahrscheinlichkeit sind vergleichbar mit anderen an stabile Umwelten angepassten Seevö-geln. Diese Schätzungen sind ein erster Beitrag zum Verständnis der Demographie von Damara-Seeschwalben. Die niedere Dispersionswahrscheinlichkeiten legen nahe, dass der Schutz der Brutgebiete, wie er momentan betrieben wird, eine tatsächlich wichtige Maßnahme zum Schutz dieser Art ist.

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Identifying key sites of marine biodiversity value and implementing the required practical spatial management measures is critical for safeguarding marine biodiversity and maintaining essential ecological processes, especially in the face of accelerating global change and expanding ocean economies. Delineating Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) has been catalytic in progressing toward this aim. However, the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME; comprising three developing countries: Angola, Namibia, and South Africa) is one of few places where practical action to secure biodiversity in EBSAs has followed their description. We aim to document the process of moving from biodiversity priority areas to implemented conservation actions, and distil broadly applicable emerging lessons. EBSAs in the BCLME were reviewed using a systematic conservation planning approach, supplemented with expert input. In this data- and knowledge-driven process, the boundaries and descriptions of existing EBSAs were refined, and gaps filled with new EBSAs. The status of 29 EBSAs was assessed by determining the ecological condition, ecosystem threat status, and ecosystem protection level of constituent ecosystem types. Also, current human uses and their respective impacts were systematically reviewed per EBSA. Management recommendations were proposed by dividing EBSAs into zones with associated multi-sector sea-use guidelines. Throughout the process, facilitated by a regional cooperation project, there was stakeholder engagement, and national, regional, and international review. BCLME States are currently implementing enhanced EBSA management in their respective marine spatial planning and marine protected area processes, noting that there are different but valid outcomes for securing marine biodiversity in each country. Further, the regional approach allowed for cross-border alignment of priorities and management between countries, as well as pooled expertise, technical support, and capacity development. Although full implementation is still underway, the lessons to date highlight some key factors required for a successful process that could guide similar initiatives elsewhere.