EBSAs into the future – side event at CBD SBSTTA 22

A side event, jointly organised by CBD Secretariat and GOBI on the first day of CBD SBSTTA 22 (2-7 July 2018), entitled “EBSAs: Scientific Achievements and Paving the Future”, presented key results of the CBD Expert Workshop to Develop Options for Modifying the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), for Describing New Areas, and for Strengthening the Scientific Credibility and Transparency of this Process, held in December 2017 in Berlin, Germany.  Presentations by Pat Halpin (Duke University) on scientific gaps, Jihyun Lee (CBD Secretariat) on future options for EBSAs, Dani Diz (University of Strathclyde) on benchmarking processes in other Conventions, and Nadine Wells (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) on the Canadian national process provided ample material for discussion.  Statements on both IMMAs and IBAs provided information on how these processes complement and feed into EBSA descriptions.  SBSTTA will seek to agree a recommendation on how the EBSA process should go forward, to be considered by CBD COP 14 in Egypt in November.