Practical Marine Spatial Management of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas: Emerging Lessons From Evidence-Based Planning and Implementation in a Developing-World Context

Abstract

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.

Iterative mapping of marine ecosystems for spatial status assessment, prioritization, and decision support

“…This message leveraged funding, research, stakeholder engagement and systematic conservation planning that culminated in the proclamation of 20 new Marine Protected Areas in 2019 representing a tenfold increase in area and a dramatic improvement (from 54 to 87%) in ecosystem representation in South Africa's marine protected area network (Kirkman et al, 2021;Sink et al, 2023). South Africa has recently undertaken a review of its Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), revising their delineation and descriptions, assessing their status, and providing management recommendations for each EBSA (Harris et al, 2022a).…”

“…South Africa presents a unique opportunity to report on the process and progress in advancing marine ecosystem mapping and is a relevant case study for three reasons. Firstly, we have an established record in harnessing biodiversity data to support systematic biodiversity assessment and conservation planning (e.g., Balmford et al, 2002;SANBI and UNEP-WCMC, 2016;Botts et al, 2019;Skowno et al, 2019;Holness et al, 2022), often leading to implementation success (Botts et al, 2019;Sink et al, 2019;Harris et al, 2022a;von Staden et al, 2022). Secondly, South Africa has three ocean systems: the Indian, Atlantic and Southern Oceans, with a high associated diversity of ecosystems and species (Gibbons, 1999;Costello et al, 2010;Griffiths et al, 2010) that exemplify the challenges in classifying and mapping many different ecosystem types.…”

Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10‐fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate

“…Spatial layers were advanced through ongoing National Biodiversity Assessments (Sink et al, 2012(Sink et al, , 2019(Sink et al, , 2023 supplemented by finer-scale SCP products (Tables S1-S3). SCP results were used to identify deliberately aligned Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) (Table S6) for consistent spatial prioritization (Harris et al, 2022).…”

A Roadmap to Advance Marine and Coastal Monitoring, Biodiversity Assessment, and International Reporting: A Developing Nation Perspective

“…Further, regional and global initiatives are increasingly reaching out to South Africa (among other developing countries) for participation in a variety of new approaches to assessing coastal and marine ecosystems in the Indian, Atlantic, and Southern Oceans. Finally, like many African coastal nations, South Africa is expanding its oceanbased economy (WWF-SA, 2016;Findlay, 2018;AU-IBAR, 2019;Harris et al, 2022b) and must identify, assess, and employ appropriate indicators to monitor the effects of expanding, intensifying, and diversifying activities in support of sustainable development and environmental stewardship.…”