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

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 re-iterate, 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.     

An overview of cold-water coral protection on the high seas: The Hatton bank (NE Atlantic)—A case study

The present paper provides an overview of cold-water corals protection in the Hatton Bank deep-water fisheries through the implementation of the United Nations General Assembly resolution 61/105. The methodology and scientific evidence used to propose protection of cold-water coral ecosystems in the high seas (∼16,000 km²) are briefly summarised. The role of international agents and importance of interdisciplinary research for making management decisions are furthermore described. Implementation was slow because (i) of scarce initial scientific knowledge, (ii) research on the high seas was difficult and expensive, (iii) there were several international interests at stake, (iv) agreement from a number of agents was needed, and (v) international advisory and decision making processes were quite slow. Some lessons learned are also discussed since these may help to increase protection efficiency of deep-sea vulnerable marine ecosystems in the high seas.     

The first network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the high seas: The process, the challenges and where next

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly being established to protect and rebuild coastal and marine ecosystems. However, while the high seas are increasingly subject to exploitation, globally few MPAs exist in areas beyond national jurisdiction. In 2010 a substantial step forward was made in the protection of high seas ecosystems with 286,200 km² of the North-East Atlantic established as six MPAs. Here a summary is presented of how the world's first network of high seas marine protected areas was created under the OSPAR Convention, the main challenges and a series of key lessons learned, aiming to highlight approaches that also may be effective for similar efforts in the future. It is concluded that the designation of these six MPAs is just the start of the process and to achieve ecological coherence and representativity in the North-East Atlantic, the network will have to be complemented over time by additional MPA sites.     

The emerging politics of the Arctic Ocean. Future management of the living marine resources

This article seeks to identify and analyze the most important political issues at stake with respect to the ongoing process regarding the future management of living resources in the high seas of the Arctic Ocean. Through assessing the potential for future commercial utilization of marine resources in the Arctic Ocean and analyzing the differences between the interests of engaged stakeholders in the process, the article seeks to answer whose interests and norms seem to most strongly influence the unfolding political processes and preliminary outcomes. The article concludes by identifying how the five Arctic coastal states have retained the upper hand in this process through skilled political entrepreneurship, the devotion of necessary resources and the political commitment of their respective governments.     

北冰洋公海渔业权益争端的博弈分析——基于环北极国家视角

北冰洋公海尚处于冰封状态,但气候变暖、海冰加速融化使未来公海出现新渔场成为可能,其战略价值因而得到国际关注。当前,环北极国家已率先展开渔业权益争夺。为分析北冰洋公海渔业事务的国际走势,文章基于博弈论思想,构建非对称懦夫博弈模型及古诺模型来模拟和探究环北极国家在渔业利益争夺中的合作或冲突行为,研究得出:现阶段北冰洋公海渔业权益争端主要表现为渔业管理权的争夺,在该博弈中,非北冰洋沿岸国采取退让策略,沿岸国采取进攻策略,可以达到进化稳定均衡;一旦公海具备捕鱼条件,争端将演化为开发模式选择的博弈,此时,北冰洋沿岸国采取合作开发策略可以有效保护公海渔业资源,并实现国家的长期利益。     

The management performance of marine protected areas in the North-east Atlantic Ocean

In the North-east Atlantic Ocean there are 550 inshore and offshore MPAs established to accomplish a high diversity of objectives, which can be classified into 24 different types of MPA designations. Only 153 of these MPAs have a management plan (MgP) --the basic tool required for an effective management. Amongst these, only 66 are actually managed, i.e. they have the staff and resources required to operate the plan. A common characteristic of these MPAs is the lack of standardized indicators of their performance. In order to address this issue, an alternative approach was developed based on the assessment of management performance using the expert knowledge and perceptions of managers operating MPAs, a universal source of information that could allow overcoming the usual gaps due to the restrictions in coverage of scientific monitoring and assessments. MgPs showed differences among countries but were homogeneous within each country, reflecting the usual top-down approach in the establishment of MPAs. Compliance with the qualitative objectives present in MgPs was higher than compliance with quantitative ones (87% versus 50%), and the MPAs that most successfully achieved their objectives were those with regular monitoring. This analysis also shows that beyond these objectives, the establishment of an MPA and the activities developed as a consequence of its creation have a positive socio-economic impact on the local human community.     

The Continuous Plankton Recorder survey and the North Atlantic Oscillation: Interannual- to Multidecadal-scale patterns of phytoplankton variability in the North Atlantic Ocean

At interannual to multidecadal time scales, much of the oceanographic and climatic variability in the North Atlantic Ocean can be associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). While evidence suggests that there is a relationship between the NAO and zooplankton dynamics in the North Atlantic Ocean, the phytoplankton response to NAO-induced changes in the environment is less clear. Time series of monthly mean phytoplankton colour values, as compiled by the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey, are analysed to infer relationships between the NAO and phytoplankton dynamics throughout the North Atlantic Ocean. While a few areas display highly significant (p < 0.05) trends in the CPR colour time series during the period 1948–2000, nominally significant (p < 0.20) positive trends are widespread across the basin, particularly on the continental shelves and in a transition zone stretching across the Central North Atlantic. When long-term trends are removed from both the NAO index and CPR colour time series, the correlation between them ceases to be significant. Several hypotheses are proposed to explain the observed variability in the CPR colour and its relationship with climate in the North Atlantic.     

Batch fecundity and spawning frequency of southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis) in the southwest Atlantic Ocean

The reproductive biology of southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis) inhabiting waters of the southwest Atlantic Ocean (52°‐53°S and 57°‐62°W) was studied through histological analysis of the ovaries. During 2003, the spawning peak occurred at the beginning of September south of the Malvinas Islands. Batch fecundity of this species ranged from 35 000 (41 cm total length, TL) to 245 000 (62 cm TL) oocytes and relative batch fecundity was 122 ± 43 (Mean ± SD, n = 24) oocytes per gram somatic weight. The average proportion of mature females with stage‐0 post‐ovulatory follicles was 0.25 for September 2003, which indicated a spawning frequency of 4 days during the peak of the season. Large females produced more egg batches than small spawners during the same period, but no significant relationship was found between oocyte dry weight and female size of southern blue whiting.     

热带大西洋大眼金枪鱼和黄鳍金枪鱼渔场温跃层的时空变化特征

采用2007 ～2011年Argo浮标剖面温度资料研究了大西洋黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacares)和大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)延绳钓主要作业渔场温跃层的时空变化特征.研究结果表明热带大西洋黄鳍金枪鱼、大眼金枪鱼延绳钓主要作业渔场温跃层的上界深度和温度存在着明显的季节性变化.温跃层上界深度呈现出冬深夏浅的季节性变化特征,大致呈纬向带状分布,12月至翌年4月份,15°N以北海域温跃层上界深度超过80 rn,同期10°S以南海域的多低于50 m;6～10月份的则相反.在赤道纬向区域温跃层上界温度在27℃以上,往南北两侧30°区域温度值依次递减至20℃及以下.温跃层下界深度和温度没有明显的季节性变化.温跃层下界深度高值区域的空间分布呈现“W”形状,深度值在220 m以上.在25°S以南,从南美洲到非洲西沿岸海域并延伸到安哥拉外海,以及10°N非洲西海岸外海,在1a中的大部分月份里,温跃层下界深度浅于150 m.在15°N以北和15°S以南区域下界温度大于15℃,在这之间的纬向区域下界温度低于14℃.全年在大西洋西部的5 °～ 15°N和5 °～15°S区域的温跃层厚度最大,在80～150 m之间,冬季和夏季呈现相反的分布特征;温跃层强度高值在5°S～ 15°N纬向区域,尤其是大西洋东部,介于0.15 ～ 0.25℃/m之间.根据文中揭示的大西洋金枪鱼延绳钓主要作业渔场区温跃层的时空变化特征,作者建议晚上大眼金枪鱼和黄鳍金枪鱼投钩深度应该在温跃层上界深度分布的附近水域;白天捕捞黄鳍金枪鱼投钩深度应该在温跃层下界深度分布的水域附近,大眼金枪鱼投钩深度要比黄鳍金枪鱼的更深.     

Diversity and large-scale biogeography of Paramesochridae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) in South Atlantic Abyssal Plains and the deep Southern Ocean

Multicorer samples for meiofaunal study were obtained within the framework of the international project CeDAMar, at 21 stations occupied during the DIVA and ANDEEP campaigns (2000, 2002 and 2005) to the southern Atlantic Ocean (Guinea, Angola and Cape Basins) and the Southern Ocean (Weddell and Scotia Seas), respectively. A total of 311 adult Paramesochridae Lang, 1944 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) was extracted from 437 cores obtained during 83 deployments of the corer at depths between 1107 and 5655 m. All specimens were determined to species based on morphological characteristics. They belonged to 19 species and four genera (Kliopsyllus Kunz, 1962, Leptopsyllus T. Scott, 1894, Paramesochra T. Scott, 1892 and Scottopsyllus Kunz, 1962). Eleven species were restricted to single regions, whereas the others showed a much wider distribution. For example, Kliopsyllus andeep Veit-Köhler, 2004 and Kliopsyllus diva Veit-Köhler, 2005, were both collected from Guinea, Angola and Weddell Abyssal Plains, and Kliopsyllus schminkei Veit-Köhler & Drewes, 2009 occurred in the three West-African basins. This study provides a first insight into the large-scale biogeography of deep-sea harpacticoids, represented by the Paramesochridae, and indicates that distribution ranges, at least in this family, may extend across South Atlantic and Southern Ocean Abyssal Plains.     

Chromium(VI) distributions in the Arctic and the Atlantic Oceans and a reassessment of the oceanic Cr cycle

Chromium(VI) concentrations ranging between 3.0 and 6.1 nmol l⁻¹ and 3.1 and 7.3 nmol l⁻¹ were found in the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, respectively. The vertical profiles show modest depletion of chromium(VI) in surface waters, but poor overall correlations between Cr(VI) and nutrient profiles. Given that Cr(VI) is the dominant oxidation state of chromium in open-ocean waters, these data are combined with literature data to reassess the distribution of Cr in oceanic waters. It is concluded that while Cr shows some characteristics of both “recycled” and “accumulated” vertical profiles, it does not fall clearly within either group.     

基于深度卷积嵌入式聚类（DCEC）的海洋环境特征提取对渔情预报模型的改进研究以西南印度洋大眼金枪鱼为例

为提高大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)延绳钓渔情预报模型的预测能力,本研究提出了一种基于深度卷积嵌入式聚类(DCEC)的海洋环境时空特征提取方法,结合广义可加模型(GAM)对西南印度洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔场进行预报。采用2018年1−12月0.041 6°×0.041 6°的MODIS-Aqua和MODIS-Terra海表面温度三级反演图像数据(以日为单位)构建DCEC模型,基于Davies-Bouldi 指数(DBI)确定最佳聚类数,在此基础上提取各月海表温度(SST)的类别特征值$ {F}_{M} $;采用美国国家海洋和大气管理局网站2018年1−12月1°×1°的Chl a浓度月平均值作为辅助环境特征因子;采用印度洋金枪鱼委员会2018年1−12月1°×1°的大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔业数据(以月为单位),计算单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE);将SST月类别特征值$ {F}_{M} $、Chl a浓度月平均值与CPUE数据进行时空匹配,构建改进GAM;采用SST月平均值、Chl a浓度月平均值与CPUE数据构建基础GAM;采用联合假设检验($ F $检验)验证模型解释变量对响应变量的影响;采用赤池信息准则(AIC)、均方误差(MSE)、绘制实测值和预测值的散点图并计算相关系数r,分析改进GAM相比于基础GAM的提升效果。实验结果表明：(1)基于DCEC模型提取的$ {F}_{M} $能够较好地反映西南印度洋海表温度的时空动态特征与规律,并与西南印度洋的气候条件、季风状况和水文特征等相互耦合;(2) $ {F}_{M} $相比SST平均值的因子解释率更高,对大眼金枪鱼CPUE影响更为显著,高渔获率集中在暖冷流交汇区域;(3)改进GAM相比基础GAM的AIC值降低了9.17%,MSE降低了26.7%,散点图显示改进GAM预测的CPUE对数值与实测CPUE对数值的相关性较显著,r为0.60。本研究证明了DCEC模型在海洋环境特征提取方面的有效性,可为后序大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔情预报模型的改进研究提供参考。     

西太平洋及其边缘海的浮游动物系统分类、物种多样性及新物种-中国海洋生物分类专著的简要编目

生物多样性的研究和保护首先从认识物种开始,并需要内容全面的的基础资料,这很大程度上依赖于通过现场调查和文献研习所获得的物种编目和分布图集研究成果。由于分类学人才储备不足,重要标本的收集和鉴定变得越来越困难。西太平洋是全球海洋生物种源中心,许多海洋生物类群的最高物种多样性都出现于该区域。本文在西太平洋及其边缘海（105-152°E,0–45°N）701个测站获取的6203份浮游动物样品分类鉴定基础之上,对1965-2008年该区浮游动物主要类群的系统分类、物种多样性和新物种新纪录进行了汇编和总结。本文共记录和编入西太平洋及其边缘海10个浮游动物类群206科686属2657种（含亚种）。包括水螅水母类99科251属697种,栉水母类12科22属59种,浮游软体动物14科36属85种,介形类8科91属416种,桡足类51科156属908种,糠虾类4科60属202种,磷虾类2科8属56种,十足类8科23属105种,毛颚类5科13属48种,被囊类5科26属81种。文中详细列举了10大类群的主要优势种,并记述了筒螅水母科2新种以及棒状水母科1新属2新种。许多赤道热带海、高纬度寒带海、深海深层的浮游动物物种在我国首次记录,较以往我国所记录的1852种增加了806种,增录43.5%,包括赤道热带种增录1.4%,高纬度冷水种增录3.5%,深海深水种增录3.2%。作者还对中国海洋浮游动物研究的5个主要领域进行了展望。本文的定性系统分类信息对海洋浮游动物多样性和生物地理学研究具有重要意义,特别是对2008年以后中国海洋生物种类全面系统总结的专著而言。     

Response of benthic opportunistic polychaetes and amphipods index to different perturbations in coastal oligotrophic areas (Canary archipelago,North East Atlantic Ocean)

Oligotrophic areas harbour low macrofaunal abundance and patchy distribution. In these areas it is necessary to test the reliability of biological indicators, especially those based on taxonomic sufficiency where the level of identification is balanced against the need for ecological information and could affect the efficiency of bioindicators. The BOPA (benthic opportunistic polychaetes and amphipods) index was applied in five coastal areas subjected to different perturbations (aquaculture, harbour, brine, sewage, and thermal pollution) in the Canary archipelago, an oligotrophic area of the Atlantic Ocean. Significant differences in the BOPA index between impact and control sites were only found in the area affected by a harbour. Perturbations such as aquaculture, brine or sewage discharge produce only a weak response of the BOPA index, whereas no effects were observed at thermal pollution‐impacted locations. The BOPA index should be used with caution to establish the ecological status of coastal water bodies in the Canary Islands, since it was only reliable in strongly impacted regions (enlargement harbour works), but did not respond clearly to other man‐induced perturbations.     

Relations between professional groups in the Atlantic and Mediterranean fishing enclaves of Andalusia (Spain): A personal networks approach with clustered graphs

This paper proposes a new network-based approach to analyse intergroup relations in fishing ports. The technique of clustered graphs is applied to the case of the Andalusian fishing ports to assess the balance between intra and inter-professional relationships. The patterns of sociability in Mediterranean and Atlantic fishing enclaves in the southern region of Spain were compared, examining their implications for participatory governance of marine resources. The personal networks of 53 fishermen, ship owners or skippers and key individuals of 18 Andalusian fisheries were analysed. The personal networks were compared in terms of fishing ground (Atlantic versus Mediterranean) and port type (by size and form of participation). The data of 45 individuals with whom each respondent usually interacts in the harbour was summarised in clustered graphs of intra-group and inter-group relationships between 8 professional roles in the harbour. Results show primarily that personal networks of Mediterranean ports are overall denser, in comparison with those of the Atlantic, which are more centralised and have a higher average betweenness. Secondly, in the Atlantic a clear difference of roles between ship owners and skippers is observed. A strong link between ship owners and the crew was found, and also between the ship owner and commercial roles in the Mediterranean. Small ports seem to be more apt for the artisanalisation of fisheries, as well as for the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy.     

The behaviour of dissolved Cd, Co, Zn, and Pb in North Atlantic near-surface waters (30°N/60°W–60°N/2°W)

In September 1993 (M26) and June/July 1996 (M36), a total of 239 surface samples (7 m depth) were collected on two transects across the open Atlantic Ocean (224 samples) and northwest European shelf edge area. We present an overview of the horizontal variability of dissolved Cd, Co, Zn, and Pb in between the northwest and northeast Atlantic Ocean in relation to salinity and the nutrients. Our data show a preferential incorporation of Cd relative to P in the particulate material of the surface ocean when related to previously published parallel measurements on suspended particulate matter from the same cruise. There is a good agreement with results recently estimated from a model by Elderfield and Rickaby (Nature 405 (2000) 305), who predict for the North Atlantic Ocean a best fit for α_Cd/P=[Cd/P]_POM/[Cd/P]_SW of 2.5, whereas the approach of our transect shows a α_Cd/P value of 2.6. The Co concentrations of our transects varied from <5 to 131 pmol kg⁻¹, with the lowest values in the subtropical gyre. There were pronounced elevations in the low-salinity ranges of the northwest Atlantic and towards the European shelf. The Co data are decoupled from the Mn distribution and support the hypothesis of marginal inputs as the dominant source. Zinc varied from a minimum of <0.07 nmol kg⁻¹ to a maximum of 1.2 and 4.8 nmol kg⁻¹ in regions influenced by Labrador shelf or European coastal waters, respectively. In subtropical and northeast Atlantic waters, the average Zn concentration was 0.16 nmol kg⁻¹. Zinc concentrations at nearly three quarters of the stations between 40°N and 60°N were <0.1 nmol kg⁻¹. This suggests that biological factors control Zn concentrations in large areas of the North Atlantic surface waters. The Pb data indicated that significant differences in concentration between the northwest and northeast Atlantic surface waters presently (1996) do not exist for this metal. The transects in 1993 and 1996 exhibited Pb concentrations in the northeast Atlantic surface waters of 30 to 40 pmol kg⁻¹, about a fifth to a quarter of the concentrations observed in 1981. This decline is supported by our particle flux measurements in deep waters of the same region.     

Quota discarding and distributive justice: The case of the under-10 m fishing fleet in Sussex,England

Marine fish discarding has become a contentious environmental issue, but little attention has been paid to the moral grievances that sometimes underlie discarding practices. This article explores such a moral grievance through a case study of the under-10 m fishery in Sussex, England, where discarding of cod (Gadus morhua) has become a highly charged issue, skippers blaming it on unjust quota allocations. The moral claim to a greater quota allocation is analysed using two conceptions of distributive justice, entitlement and desert. The conclusion reached is that the under-10 m fleet’s entitlement arguments for a higher quota are weaker than their desert arguments, but that entitlement arguments weigh more heavily than desert arguments with government when it allocates quota.     

Organizing coordination in a public marine research and management advice organization: The case of the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research

Public organizations involved in marine management are increasingly confronted with coordination challenges in marine governance. This study examines why and how the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR) reorganized its formal coordination structures between the areas of fisheries management and marine environmental management. The findings indicate that organizing efficient and, at the same time, legitimate coordination structures between different areas of marine governance is a “wicked” organizational problem with no ultimate and single optimal solution. In contrast to the assumptions of classical organization and management theory, the study finds that the reorganization of formal coordination structures is not necessarily driven for reasons of efficiency and perceived coordination problems. Instead, public marine management organizations also change their organizational structures to live up to external expectations to adopt modern management concepts, such as the Ecosystem Approach to Management (EAM). However, the study indicates that the adoption of the EAM has stimulated coordination and integration efforts in the research and advisory activities of the IMR.