Study analyzes IUCN Red List for Ecosystems
The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, a global standard that is being developed to assess environmental risk, has now been trialed on 20 ecosystems spanning six continents and three oceans. An article in the May 2013 edition of PLoS ONE journal documents the trials, and releases an updated version of the standard's criteria and categories for ecosystem risk assessment. The article is at www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0062111
The Red List is designed to compile information on the state of the world's ecosystems at different geographic scales, and its main goal is to assess the risk of ecosystem collapse. It is modeled on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Developers of the Red List of Ecosystems aim to assess all the ecosystems of the world by 2025.
PNCIMA draft integrated management plan open for review
A draft integrated management plan for the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) – covering 102,000 km2, or roughly half, of Canada's Pacific waters – is now available for public review. The consultation period for the draft plan will run until 8 July 2013. The review is at www.pncima.org/site/get-involved/public-review.html
The PNCIMA initiative is steered by a committee of representatives of the federal, provincial, and coastal First Nations (indigenous) governments. A brief case study of PNCIMA by UNESCO is at www.unesco-ioc-marinesp.be/msp_around_the_world/canada_pncima
US releases national strategy for Arctic
The administration of US President Barack Obama has released a national strategy for the Arctic region. The 13-page statement features three "lines of effort": to advance US security interests, to pursue responsible Arctic region stewardship, and to strengthen international cooperation. The strategy is at www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/nat_arctic_strategy.pdf
Ocean Frontiers now available to all planners
“Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship”, the documentary film that aims to help audiences understand principles of EBM and marine spatial planning (MEAM 5:4), is now available to show within agencies, ports, and coastal planning venues. The film focuses on several groups of stakeholders and their success stories of partnering for improved ocean management. For more information, go to http://ocean-frontiers.org/calling-all-agencies-coastal-planners-ports/
Study: Eight ingredients for sustainable community-based fisheries management
A study of community-based fisheries management programs in practice has concluded there are eight key ingredients that help ensure the long-term sustainability of such programs. Conducted by Blue Earth Consultants on behalf of the conservation organization Rare, the study analyzed 17 cases worldwide. The key ingredients include having: multiple management tools; transparent processes; adequate fisher capacity to participate; incentives for fishers to participate; good collaboration across all participant groups; strong monitoring plans; a realistic timeframe for results; and sustainable financing. The study results are at www.blueearthconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/FINAL_RARE_KeyIngredients_Update_BEC_1_14_13.pdf. For more information, email info@blueearthconsultants.com