EBSAs in the BCLME
What are EBSAs?
Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) are geographically or oceanographically discrete areas that provide important services to one or more species or populations of an ecosystem or to the ecosystem as a whole, compared to other surrounding areas or areas of similar ecological characteristics, or otherwise meet at least one of the 7 EBSA criteria (see below). These sites need to be protected with conservation or other management measures to help stop the rapid loss of marine biodiversity in the ocean, in both benthic and pelagic habitats. The intent is for EBSAs to help countries to achieve the global Aichi Biodiversity Targets for 2020 (specifically Target 11), and to identify priority areas for protection in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Currently, there are 320 EBSAs worldwide.
EBSAs in the BCLME
EBSAs in the BCLME were identified at a regional meeting in 2013, and adopted by the CBD at the 12th Convention of the Parties in 2014. The intent under MARISMA is to refine the boundaries and update descriptions of existing EBSAs, identify relevant new ones, and incorporate all of these in a regional Marine Spatial Plan to achieve sustainable ocean use in the Benguela Current.
Currently, there are 11 EBSAs in the BCLME within national jurisdiction that are recognised by CBD. Another EBSA spans almost the full extent of the LME, including a small portion of high seas next to the Angolan EEZ. The 11 EBSAs within national jurisdiction have been revised in this project, and a further 9 new EBSAs will be proposed to CBD in due course. For regular updates of the revised and proposed EBSAs, view the project's working EBSA portal. (Note that South Africa has more EBSAs (revised and proposed) beyond the BCLME, the details of which are also on the working EBSA portal).
How do EBSAs fit into MARISMA?
In the MARISMA project, Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) tools are used to identfy EBSAs. In turn, EBSAs inform Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) by informing which activities are compatible or incompatible with areas of high ecological value. By implementing appropriate spatial management measures, the MSP can contribute to securing the special features in the ocean, as well as allowing for socio-economic development in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem.
See our book chapter and published paper on this approach.
EBSA criteria rankings
The criteria are coloured in the image gallery below by their rank: red = the criterion is met at a high rank; orange = medium; yellow = low; grey = data deficient. Because the currently adopted EBSAs have been updated and revised, some of the criteria ranks have been changed as a result of new research and information that has become available since the site was adopted in 2014. These changes are marked with a star, coloured by the previous ranking. Where EBSA names have been changed, the previous name is in square brackets; new, proposed EBSAs are also indicated in square brackets]. To view the full description of each site, see the next section below.
EBSA Criteria
To qualify as an EBSA, the site must meet at least one of the following seven criteria, as adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity:
Read more about the EBSA criteria in this brochure by the CBD.