Economic value of ecosystem services from the deep seas and the areas beyond national jurisdiction

Economic value of ecosystem services from the deep seas and the areas beyond national jurisdiction
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 135
Release: 2020-05-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251323259

This circular stems from a study carried out for FAO projects “Sustainable Fisheries Management and Biodiversity Conservation of Deep-Sea Living Marine Resources and Ecosystems in the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction” (GCP/GLO/366/GFF) and “Deep-Sea Sponge Grounds Ecosystems of the North Atlantic: An Integrated Approach Towards their Preservation and Sustainable Exploitation” (GCP/GLO/679/EC). These projects included outputs related to the economic valuation of goods and services provided by the deep seas in areas beyond national jurisdiction. This study compiled an estimate of the total economic value (TEV) of the deep seas, which considered the provision of deep-water fish, the harvest of precious corals, the use of substances of marine origin as pharmaceuticals, the extraction of deep and ultra-deep oil and the potential mining of mineral resources from the seafloor, carbon sequestration carried out by the deep seas, the importance of scientific research in the deep seas, and touristic activities with submersibles to visit sites such as the Titanic shipwreck. Comprehensively, the TEV assessed for the deep-sea ecosystem as a whole is estimated at USD 267 billion per year. Ninety two percent of the economic value originates from abiotic resources (oil and minerals), 5 percent from biotic resources (fish, corals and pharmaceuticals of marine origin), 2 percent from cultural services (scientific research and tourism/recreation), and 1 percent from carbon sequestration.

Terminal evaluation of the areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) Deep-Sea project, part of the “Sustainable fisheries management and biodiversity conservation of deep-sea living marine resources and ecosystems in ABNJ”

Terminal evaluation of the areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) Deep-Sea project, part of the “Sustainable fisheries management and biodiversity conservation of deep-sea living marine resources and ecosystems in ABNJ”
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization fo the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 56
Release: 2020-10-06
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251333076

The marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) comprises 40 percent of the earth’s surface, it covers 64 percent of the surface of the ocean and 95 percent of its volume. The Common Oceans ABNJ Program (2014-2019) was implemented by FAO as a concerted effort to bring various stakeholders to work together to manage and conserve the world’s common oceans. The ABNJ Deep-Sea project, one component of the Common Oceans ABNJ Program, was of great assistance to newly-formed regional fisheries management organization and arrangements (RFMO/As), as well as some long-standing regional fisheries. The project showed positive results in safeguarding vulnerable marine ecosystems, strengthening monitoring, control and surveillance to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, mitigating bycatch mortality trends, and building awareness of cross-sectoral aspects in effective governance of ABNJ. Through its cooperation with RFMOs, the project has, to some extent, contributed to minimize the negative impacts of bycatch. Results achieved should be capitalized on and upscaled in a second phase.

Report of the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Deep Sea Meeting 2019, 7–9 May 2019, Rome, Italy

Report of the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Deep Sea Meeting 2019, 7–9 May 2019, Rome, Italy
Author: FAO
Publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Total Pages: 70
Release: 2020-06-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251323216

The Common Oceans ABNJ Deep Seas Project is funded by the Global Environment Fund and implemented by FAO and the UN Environment Programme. The partnership brings together a broad range of partners, including regional fisheries bodies responsible for the management of deep-sea fisheries, fishing industry partners, and international organizations to achieve sustainable fisheries management and biodiversity conservation of deep-sea living resources in the ABNJ. To showcase existing knowledge, practices and innovative research for sustainable deep-sea fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in the ABNJ, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the SponGES Project consortium, organized a meeting – the ABNJ Deep Sea Meeting 2019 – that took place on 7-9 May 2019, at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. Over 40 participants, including representatives from partner organizations and other stakeholders from multiple sectors within the ABNJ, attended the three-day meeting. While significant progress has been made in the management of deep-sea fisheries and in the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems, the ABNJ still faces threats from climate change, ocean acidification, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Building on the achievements of the Common Oceans ABNJ Deep Sea Projects and the SponGES Project, the participants were invited to give presentations on key topics and discuss emerging issues concerning ABNJ governance and deep-sea research, monitoring and management.

Economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by deep-sea sponges

Economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by deep-sea sponges
Author: Ottaviani, D.
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 97
Release: 2020-12-16
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251336776

This report represents the first economic valuation of the ecosystem services provided by deep-sea sponges in the North Atlantic. It is based on information available in the scientific literature at the time of writing, but also indicates the research areas where discoveries and research advances are shortly expected. The report is aimed at a generic public with no specialized knowledge on sponges or on economic valuation. It is outlined in a way to provide essential background information, but makes reference to a comprehensive list of scientific publications for further insights.

Perspectives on Deep-Sea Mining

Perspectives on Deep-Sea Mining
Author: Rahul Sharma
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 680
Release: 2022-01-13
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3030879828

This book is a sequel to ’Deep-Sea Mining: Resource Potential, Technical and Environmental Considerations’ (2017) and ‘Environmental Issues of Deep-Sea Mining: Impacts, Consequences and Policy Perspectives’ (2019), and aims to provide a comprehensive volume on different perspectives of deep-sea mining from specialists around the world. The work is timely, as deep-sea minerals continue to enthuse researchers involved in activities such as ascertaining their potential as alternative sources for critical metals for green energy and other industrial applications, as well as technology development for their sustainable exploration and exploitation, while addressing environmental concerns. With a steady increase in the number of contractors having exclusive rights over large tracts of seafloor in the ‘Area’, i.e. area beyond national jurisdictions, the International Seabed Authority, mandated with the responsibility of regulating such activities, is in the process of developing a code for exploitation of deep-sea minerals. These, coupled with growing interest among private entrepreneurs, investment companies and policy makers, underscore the need for updated information to be made available in one place on the subject of deep-sea mining. The book evaluates the potential and sustainability of mining for deep-sea minerals compared to other land-based deposits, the technologies needed for mining and processing of ores, the approach towards environmental monitoring and management, as well as the regulatory frameworks and legal challenges to manage deep-sea mining activities. The book is expected to serve as an important reference for all stakeholders including researchers, contractors, mining companies, regulators and NGOs involved in deep-sea mining.

New Knowledge and Changing Circumstances in the Law of the Sea

New Knowledge and Changing Circumstances in the Law of the Sea
Author: Tomas Heidar
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 498
Release: 2020-09-07
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9004437754

New Knowledge and Changing Circumstances in the Law of the Sea focuses on the challenges posed to the existing legal framework, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the various ways in which States are addressing these challenges.

Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction

Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction
Author: Myron H. Nordquist
Publisher: Center for Oceans Law and Poli
Total Pages: 349
Release: 2021
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9789004422414

"This book is based on presentations made at the Malmö Conference by many of the most knowledgeable experts on both the on-going bbnj negotiations at the United Nations and on the well- established UNCLOS principles and rules. The Malmö Conference featured remarks by distinguished diplomats followed by six parts devoted to identifying the major issues at the bbnj negotiations"--

Deep-sea Biodiversity and Ecosystems

Deep-sea Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Author: Sybille van den Hove
Publisher: UNEP/Earthprint
Total Pages: 88
Release: 2007
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9789280728927

The objective of this report is to provide an overview of the key socio-economic, management and governance issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of deep-sea ecosystems and biodiversity. The report highlights our current understanding of these issues and identifies topics and areas that need further investigation to close gaps in knowledge. It also explores the needs and means for interfacing research with policy with a view to contributing to the political processes regarding deep-sea and high-seas governance, which are currently ongoing in various international flora within and outside the UN system. In addition, the report provides guidance on the future direction and focus of research on environmental, socio-economic and governance aspects in relation to the deep-sea.