Protection measures implemented by New Zealand for vulnerable marine ecosystems in the South Pacific Ocean

Penney, Andrew J.; Parker, Steven J.; Brown, James H.

doi:10.3354/meps08300

Cited by 35 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…SPRFMO has protection measures in place for VMEs, but the efficacy of these measures has been questioned (e.g., Penny and Guinotte, 2013), and additional and alternative measures are being sought and considered by stakeholders. Currently, large 20-min latitude/longitude spatial closures are implemented on some seamounts for the New Zealand fishery, based on past fishing history or the presence of a VME detected by the bycatch of VME indicator taxa exceeding a particular threshold Penney et al, 2009). One possible alternative management measure is to close small areas on individual seamounts that have, or are likely to have, VMEs, and allow fishing elsewhere on the seamount.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-Resolution Habitat Suitability Models for the Conservation and Management of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems on the Louisville Seamount Chain, South Pacific Ocean

et al. 2017

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Vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) are ecosystems at risk from the effects of fishing or other kinds of disturbance, as determined by the vulnerability of their components (e.g., habitats, communities, or species). Habitat suitability modeling is being used increasingly to predict distribution patterns of VME indicator taxa in the deep sea, where data are particularly sparse, and the models are considered useful for marine ecosystem management. The Louisville Seamount Chain is located within the South Pacific Regional Fishery Management Organization (SPRFMO) Convention Area, and some seamounts are the subject of bottom trawling for orange roughy by the New Zealand fishery. The aim of the present study was to produce high-resolution habitat suitability maps for VME indicator taxa and VME habitat on these seamounts, in order to evaluate the feasibility of designing within-seamount spatial closures to protect VMEs. We used a multi-model habitat suitability mapping approach, based on bathymetric and backscatter data collected by multibeam echo sounder survey, and data collected by towed underwater camera for the stony coral and habitatforming VME indicator species Solenosmilia variabilis, as well as two taxa indicative of stony coral habitat (Brisingida, Crinoidea). Model performance varied among the different model types used (Boosted Regression Tree, Random Forest, Generalized Additive Models), but abundance-based models consistently out-performed models based on presence-absence data. Uncertainty for ensemble models (combination of all models) was lower overall compared to the other models. Maps resulting from our models showed that suitable habitat for S. variabilis is distributed around the summitslope break of seamounts, and along ridges that extend down the seamount flanks. Only the flat, soft sediment summits are predicted to be unsuitable habitat for this stony coral species. We translated a definition for stony coral-reef habitat into a S. variabilis abundance-based threshold in order to use our models to map this VME habitat. These maps showed that coral-reef occurred in small and isolated patches, and that most of the seabed on these seamounts is predicted to be unsuitable Rowden et al.High-Resolution VME Habitat Suitability Maps habitat for this VME. We discuss the implications of these results for spatial management closures on the Louisville Seamount Chain seamounts and the wider SPRFMO area, and future modeling improvements that could aid efforts to use habitat suitability maps for managing the impact of fishing on VMEs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-Resolution Habitat Suitability Models for the Conservation and Management of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems on the Louisville Seamount Chain, South Pacific Ocean

et al. 2017

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“…New Zealand implemented the SPRFMO interim measures in a spatially tiered manner (Penney et al 2009). Vessels are only allowed to fish in areas designated as 'open' (previously heavily fished) or 'moveon' (previously moderately fished) within the footprint of the 2002-2006 trawl fishery, which limits impacts to 88 673 km 2 .…”

Section: Implementing Protection Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vessels are only allowed to fish in areas designated as 'open' (previously heavily fished) or 'moveon' (previously moderately fished) within the footprint of the 2002-2006 trawl fishery, which limits impacts to 88 673 km 2 . This amounts to 0.16% of the SPRFMO convention area or 16% of the SPRFMO area seabed shallower than 2000 m (see Penney et al 2009 for bottom trawl footprint characterisation). In approximately half of this open area (where previous effort has been moderate), a move-on rule has been implemented that requires vessels to monitor for evidence of interaction with a VME and to cease fishing within 5 n miles of that fishing site if evidence is found.…”

Section: Implementing Protection Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection criteria for managing trawl impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems in high seas fisheries of the South Pacific Ocean

Parker¹,

Penney²,

Clark³

2009

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The United Nations General Assembly resolution 61/105 calls for States to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs), including cold-water corals, from destructive fishing practices in international waters. In response, the developing South Pacific Regional Fishery Management Organisation (SPRFMO) adopted interim measures requiring participating states to assess whether individual bottom fishing activities encounter VMEs, and to prevent significant adverse impacts on VMEs, including requiring vessels to cease fishing and move away from such areas. Criteria were developed to identify VMEs from trawl fishery bycatch data and other available scientific information. The criteria integrate information about the vulnerable taxa present, their relative abundance as bycatch, evidence from previous fishery interactions in the area, the degree of habitat isolation and an index of taxonomic distinctness. We also analysed observer data from previous fishing by New Zealand vessels to evaluate the use of bycatch thresholds to trigger a move-on rule in the SPRFMO area. A focus on documenting the distribution of vulnerable taxa and habitat associations through the most robust survey and habitat modelling means feasible will facilitate identifying representative spatial closures for long-term protection of VMEs.KEY WORDS: Vulnerable marine ecosystems · VME · Deep-sea coral · Benthic impacts · Move-on rule · High seas Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher Contribution to the Theme Section 'Conservation and management of deep-sea corals and coral reefs'

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“…Corals and sponges are usually the first to be identified as VME indicators [18,19], but there are many other taxa, including mobile taxa such as fishes and elasmobranchs that could potentially qualify under the FAO criteria. Many deep-sea species have not been well studied and assessments of vulnerability may have to be informed by expert judgement.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic approach towards the identification and protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems

et al. 2014

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The United Nations General Assembly in 2006 and 2009 adopted resolutions that call for the identification and protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) from significant adverse impacts of bottom fishing. While general criteria have been produced, there are no guidelines or protocols that elaborate on the process from initial identification through to the protection of VMEs. Here, based upon an expert review of existing practices, a 10-step framework is proposed: 1) Comparatively assess potential VME indicator taxa and habitats in a region; 2) determine VME thresholds; 3) consider areas already known for their ecological importance; 4) compile information on the distributions of likely VME taxa and habitats, as well as related environmental data; 5) develop predictive distribution models for VME indicator taxa and habitats; 6) compile known or likely fishing impacts; 7) produce a predicted VME naturalness distribution (areas of low cumulative impacts); 8) identify areas of higher value to user groups; 9) conduct management strategy evaluations to produce trade-off scenarios; 10) review and reiterate, until spatial management scenarios are developed that fulfil international obligations and regional conservation and management objectives. To date, regional progress has been piecemeal and incremental. The proposed 10-step framework combines these various experiences into a systematic approach. Highlights• The United Nations has passed resolutions to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs);• Limited practical guidance exists on how to identify VMEs; • Approaches differ regionally, but none to date have been systematic; • Experiences and good practices are compiled here into a 10-step systematic approach;• Better integration across sectors will become increasingly necessary.

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Protection measures implemented by New Zealand for vulnerable marine ecosystems in the South Pacific Ocean

Cited by 35 publications

References 13 publications

High-Resolution Habitat Suitability Models for the Conservation and Management of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems on the Louisville Seamount Chain, South Pacific Ocean

High-Resolution Habitat Suitability Models for the Conservation and Management of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems on the Louisville Seamount Chain, South Pacific Ocean

Detection criteria for managing trawl impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems in high seas fisheries of the South Pacific Ocean

A systematic approach towards the identification and protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems

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