Our Work
No-Cost Spatial Data Services for High Seas MPA Proposals
In-kind data services
The Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory team is providing in-kind, no-cost spatial and scientific data services to support States during the High Seas Marine Protected Area proposal development process under the United Nations’ BBNJ Agreement.
Currently, only 1.2% of the High Seas are legally protected. Meeting an established goal of 30% protection, through a combination of coastal and High Seas conservation measures, will play a critical role in achieving global ocean health objectives. – ProtectedSeas Navigator
We have an unprecedented opportunity to define international ocean areas for protection beyond national jurisdiction through Area Based Management Tools in the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Areas of potential data support MPA proposals
We anticipate offering bespoke no-cost spatial and scientific data support services that meet States’ needs across different elements of the Area-Based Management Tools proposal. Please explore the list of individual proposal elements below for a brief description of the types of support that our team is able to provide.
Our team can source, process, analyse, and interpret geospatial datasets related to indicative criteria, in support of proposal element (a), below:
(a) A geographic or spatial description of the area that is the subject of the proposal by reference to the indicative criteria specified in Annex I.
Our team can provide additional information about the development or revision of criteria applied in identifying the proposed marine protected area, in support of proposal element (b), below:
(b) Information on any of the criteria specified in Annex I, as well as any criteria that may be further developed and applied in identifying the area.
Our team can assist in mapping and georeferencing human activities in and near to the proposed marine protected area. Additionally, this can be combined, through consultation with communities and Indigenous Peoples, in support of proposal element (c), below:
(c) Human activities in the area, including uses by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and their possible impact, if any.
Our team can process, analyse, and interpret available biological diversity, ecological, and oceanographic datasets, in support of proposal element (d), below:
(d) A description of the state of the marine environment and biological diversity in the identified area.
Our team can provide scientific consultation and/or referral to other consultation and resources, on a case by case basis, in support of proposal element (e), below:
(e) A description of the conservation and, where appropriate, sustainable use objectives that are to be applied to the area.
Our team can provide scientific consultation and/or referral to other consultation and resources, on a case by case basis, in support of proposal element (f), below:
(f) A draft management plan encompassing the proposed measures and outlining proposed monitoring, research and review activities to achieve the specified objectives.
Our team can provide scientific consultation and/or referral to other consultation and resources, on a case by case basis, in support of proposal element (g), below:
(g) The duration of the proposed area and measures, if any.
Our team can supply relevant spatial data products and map-based visualizations to inform consultations undertaken with other states, in support of proposal element (h), below:
(h) Information on any consultations undertaken with States, including adjacent coastal States and/or relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies, if any.
Our team can provide access to, and interpretation of, data on existing regional area-based management tools, in support of proposal element (i), below:
(i) Information on area-based management tools, including marine protected areas, implemented under relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies
Our team can provide scientific consultation and/or referral to other consultation and resources, on a case by case basis, in support of proposal element (j), below:
(j) Relevant scientific input and, where available, traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Related Work and Resources
-
View the Report
A Path to Creating the First Generation of High Seas Protected Areas
Read an overview of science-based methods highlighting 10 sites that would help safeguard biodiversity beyond national waters, from Pew Charitable Trusts.
-
Read the Journal Article
Data-driven approach for highlighting priority areas for protection in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction
Learn about an approach that leverages existing ocean and conservation data to identify areas of exceptional biological and ecological value.
-
Explore the Visualization
Protect High Seas Interactive Visualization
Explore a tool that uses data science to inspire ambition in the development and implementation of the High Seas Treaty, particularly via marine protected areas. From Pew Charitable Trusts
Support team at the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory
Contact us to schedule a consultation-
Dr. Kristen Johannes
Project Scientist, Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory
-
Dr. Diva Amon
Science Advisor, Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory
-
Neil Nathan
Project Scientist, Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory