Note from the Executive Secretary |
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Dr David Freestone
Executive Secretary
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As we near the end of our second pandemic year, I am pleased to say that the Commission has remained resilient, and in fact has made great progress with our two major upcoming grants, one from the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM), and one from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Over the past year, the Commission has seen many fantastic achievements, besides finalizing documentation, and having launch events and validation workshops for the FFEM and GEF projects, the Commission has also held a successful first workshop to promote collaboration between the Range States of the American Eel, participated in a World Conservation Congress side event, and contributed to a significant IUCN-hosted high seas workshop, which will give recommendations to the BBNJ process in the UN.
We are on the edge of greatness with our upcoming projects, and I believe 2022 will mark a golden age of the Commission when many of our original aims begin to be realized.
It is my sincerest hope that all are in good health during these unprecedented times, and I would like to extend my warmest wishes to you as the holiday season begins.
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GEF Documentation Finalized |
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The Sargasso Sea Commission has finalised documentation for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project. The final materials were sent to the GEF CEO for sign off after incorporating feedback from an internal Validation Workshop, held on October 20th, 2021.
This validation workshop was the culmination of many months of work, beginning last year. In December 2020, the Commission, alongside the United Nations Development Programme and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, formally launched the preparations for a $3 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This project is the first-ever GEF grant designed to address governance of a high seas ecosystem.
The four-year project aims to assess information gaps in regards to the Sargasso Sea and to facilitate collaboration between partners and stakeholders in its conservation. This will be achieved through an ecosystem diagnostic analysis, and a strategic action plan defining priority actions
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The Sargasso Sea Commission is delighted to announce that several of our supporters have recently been recognised in the inaugural Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BUEI) Ocean Hero Awards.
Andrew Stevenson and Philippe Rouja, photographers/videographers and supporters of the Sargasso Sea Commission, and Tammy Warren, a Sargasso Sea Commissioner, all received Ocean Hero Awards for demonstrating at least a decade’s worth of activism and dedication in marine conservation.
Fae Sapsford, Marine Research Fellow for the Sargasso Sea Commission, also received a Young Ocean Hero Certificate for passionate determination in creating a positive impact on ocean conservation in Bermuda, demonstrated by her work at the Commission, and maintenance of an Instagram account focused on education and outreach about Bermuda's marine environment.
Images: (clockwise) Tammy Warren, Andrew Stevenson, Fae Sapsford, Philippe Rouja
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The Sargasso Sea Commission has contracted Nick Lambert Associates International (NLAI) to produce a report on the use of Big Data technologies for ocean conservation.
The general approach for the report is to review the existing state of the art on remote sensing, data services and systems, including hybrid and cloud-based platforms, and use of AI analytics and data visualization technologies to access, utilize and disseminate information in a strategic and cost effective way for management and conservation in remote areas.
The report is highly collaborative, with NLAI seeking expert opinions from various scientists and stakeholders in the Sargasso Sea. The interim report was completed on November 30th, and the report will be finalized in early 2022, when a launch event will also be held.
Image credit: NASA COVERAGE programme
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On December 7th and 8th, the IUCN held its fourth high seas workshop - designed to offer feedback to the negotiations of a legally binding BBNJ instrument in the UN, the next session of which will take place in March 2022.
The workshop brought together state delegates, scientific experts, and legal and political advisors. It also focused in a large part on the two high seas case study sites of the FFEM SARGADOM project: the Sargasso Sea and the Costa Rica Thermal Dome.
Discussions in breakout groups centered on four questions related to the practical implementation of the articles within the draft BBNJ treaty. Ideas highlighted by participants included: the high evidentiary requirement for conservation implementation and reluctance to use a precautionary approach, inadequate data availability, and concerns regarding enforcement of ABMTs and monitoring of the fulfilment of their objectives.
A report will be produced from the workshop, which will inform the IGC4 session in March.
Image credit: Andrew Stevenson
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Creature Feature
Your window into the golden floating rainforest and who's in it!
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Halobates micans is the only known species of open ocean insect found in the Atlantic. There are only 5 species of open ocean insect in total, all belonging to the genus Halobates.
Also known as 'sea skaters' they are wingless, but have long legs, which they use to move over the ocean via surface tension.
They are specially adapted to live on the high seas, and are believed to eat zooplankton. They have also been recorded eating fish eggs and dead jellyfish. Small prey items are caught with the strong forelegs.
Halobates micans only occur near the coast when storms blow them inshore. On the open sea, they are preyed upon by fish, turtles, and seabirds.
Students from the Sea Education Association, an organization that has collaborating partner status with the Commission, undertook a study of Halobates micans in 2017, finding they occurred in lower abundances in the Sargasso Sea than the Caribbean Sea. Read the full paper here.
Image credit: Fae Sapsford
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OSPAR establishes new high seas MPA
OSPAR has approved a new marine protected area in the North Atlantic, the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Sea basin (NACES) MPA - representing the 11th MPA OSPAR has established on the high seas.
The 600,000 km2 ocean area was found to be a vitally important foraging habitat for seabirds breeding on the coasts of the North Atlantic, and those migrating across the region. The MPA was designated on October 1st, and will come into force 200 days after that date; on the 19th of April, 2022.
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Bermuda joins Blue Shield Programme
Bermuda has just become the first overseas territory to join the 'Blue Shield' initiative - a UK-government initiative aimed at tackling illegal fishing and other illegal activities around UK overseas territories.
Through the use of autonomous drone and passive acoustic unit technology, the Blue Shield will provide a full picture of activities taking place in marine zones around participating Territories, including IUU fishing, commercial and recreational vessel activity, and shipping activity.
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Thank you for supporting our mission to protect the Sargasso Sea. We truly appreciate all of the donations and support that we have received over the years -- without which the Sargasso Sea Commission would not exist. |
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