Notification 2014-130

Dear Madam/Sir, Reference is made to the notifications sent to CBD National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points, as well as relevant global and regional organizations and initiatives regarding the nomination of experts to upcoming CBD regional workshops to facilitate the description of ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs), respectively, in: (i) the North-East Indian Ocean region, 23 to 27 March 2015 – Colombo, Sri Lanka (notification 2014-128, dated 10 November 2014); and (ii) the North-West Indian Ocean and Adjacent Gulf Areas, 20 to 25 April 2015 – Dubai, United Arab Emirates (notification: 2014-129, dated 11 November 2014). You are invited to provide relevant scientific information in support of the objectives of the two above-mentioned regional workshops. Information provided should contribute to the description of EBSAs through application of scientific criteria in annex I of decision IX/20 (http://www.cbd.int/decision/cop/?id=11663), or of other relevant compatible and complementary nationally and intergovernmentally agreed scientific criteria. We are requesting, in particular, ecological and biological data on marine ecosystems, habitats and species, and/or physical/oceanographic/geological data relevant to the application of the above-mentioned scientific criteria for EBSAs. Relevant scientific information can be submitted in two ways: (1) by using the EBSA information template (http://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/mar/ebsaws-2015-01/other/ebsaws-2015-01-template-en.dot) attached as an appendix to this letter, or (2) through another appropriate format, such as scientific articles, documents, datasets, or maps. Information submitted using the EBSA information template will be refined and further developed during the workshop through scientific discussion among workshop participants, with the technical and mapping support of CSIRO. For examples of the ways in which this scientific and technical information has been used in previous EBSA workshops, please see the documents, including data reports, compilations of submissions and workshop reports, from previous EBSA workshops at the following link: http://www.cbd.int/ebsa/meetings?tab=previous. In order to allow the Secretariat to prepare necessary scientific input for the above-mentioned workshops in a timely manner, information should be submitted to the CBD Secretariat via an e-mail addressed to secretariat@cbd.int or a fax sent to +1 514 288-6588, as soon as possible, but no later than 15 February 2015. Kindly indicate clearly the workshop for which the information is intended. I thank you for your continued support of the work of the Convention. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points; SBSTTA Focal Points; other Governments; FAO; IMO; ISA; IOC-UNESCO; UNEP-WCMC; UNEP-ROWA; CMS Office – Abu Dhabi; AGEDI; GOBI; PERSGA; ROPME; BOBLME; SACEP; other relevant regional seas conventions and action plans; relevant regional fisheries management organizations; indigenous peoples and local communities; and other relevant global and regional organizations and initiatives