Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs): the identification process under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and possible ways forward

Abstract

In 2008, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted a list of seven scientific criteria for the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) in need of protection in open-ocean waters and deep-sea habitats. This was completed in 2010 by the definition of an identification process under which regional workshops would be organised in order to facilitate the description of EBSAs. The summary reports of these regional workshops, once endorsed by the Conference of the Parties to the CBD, will be forwarded to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the competent arena to discuss any future policy implication with respect to EBSAs identified in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).