Training Materials
In decision X/29 (adopted in Nagoya, Japan, in 2010), the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) requested the Executive Secretary to prepare, in collaboration with the relevant international organizations, a training manual and modules which can be used to meet the capacity-building needs for identifying ecologically or biologically significant marine areas.
Training Materials
Pursuant to decision X/29, draft EBSA training manual and modules, was developed, with the kind financial support from the Government of Germany, to facilitate the capacity development with regard to the scientific description of areas meeting EBSAs criteria.
The training manual
provides an introduction to the CBD EBSA criteria, as well as practical guidance on how to identify areas based on each individual EBSA criterion. In addition, the module discusses how to describe areas based on multiple EBSA criteria.
Guidance on the Use of Biogeographic Classification Systems
In 2009, the Executive Secretary organized, with financial support from the Governments of Canada and Germany, an Expert Workshop on Scientific and Technical Guidance on the Use of Biogeographic Classification Systems and Identification of Marine Areas beyond National Jurisdiction in Need of Protection.
The workshop report
provides guidance and information relevant to the use of EBSA criteria and potential subsequent policy action related to identified EBSAs.
Integrating Traditional Knowledge and Socio-Cultural Information in Applying EBSA Criteria
As outlined in COP decisions X/29 and XI/17, the identification of EBSAs should rely on the best available scientific and technical information and, as appropriate, integrate the traditional scientific, technical, and technological knowledge of indigenous and local communities.
In response to a call from decision X/29, a report on Identifying Specific Elements for Integrating the Traditional, Scientific, Technical and Technological Knowledge of Indigenous and Local Communities, and Social and Cultural Criteria and Other Aspects for the Application of Scientific Criteria for Identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAS) As Well As the Establishment And Management of Marine Protected Areas (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/16/INF/10) was produced and made available to the 16th meeting of SBSTTA
Identifying Specific Elements for Integrating the Traditional, Scientific, Technical and Technological Knowledge of Indigenous and Local Communities, and Social and Cultural Criteria and Other Aspects for the Application of Scientific Criteria for Identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAS) As Well As the Establishment And Management of Marine Protected Areas
In decision XI/17, the COP invited Parties, other Governments, competent intergovernmental organizations, and relevant indigenous and local communities to consider the use of the guidance on integration of traditional knowledge outlined in the report, with the approval and involvement of the holders of such knowledge, where applicable, in any future description of areas that meet the criteria for EBSAs and for the development of conservation and management measures, and report on progress in this regard to the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (paragraph 24).
Also in response to decision XI/17, the Secretariat produced the Training Manual on the Incorporation of Traditional Knowledge into the Description and Identification of EBSAs, building on previous work under the Convention.
Training Manual on the Incorporation of Traditional Knowledge into the Description and Identification of EBSAs