Notification 2019-050

Dear Madam/Sir, As communicated through notification 2019-036 (https://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2019/ntf-2019-036-marine-ebsa-en.pdf), dated 25 March 2019, the Regional Workshop to Facilitate the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) in the North East Atlantic will take place from 23 to 27 September 2019, preceded by a training session on EBSAs on 22 September 2019, in Stockholm, Sweden. Parties, relevant organizations and indigenous peoples and local communities are hereby invited to provide relevant scientific information, including traditional knowledge, in support of the objectives of the above-mentioned workshop. 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. In particular, we are seeking ecological and biological data and/or traditional knowledge on marine ecosystems, habitats and species, and/or physical/oceanographic/geological data and/or traditional knowledge relevant to the application of the above-mentioned scientific criteria for EBSAs. Relevant 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 peer-reviewed articles, documents, datasets, or maps. Information submitted using the EBSA information template will be refined and further developed during the workshop through scientific and technical discussion among participants, with the technical and mapping support provided by the technical team to be arranged by the CBD Secretariat. For examples of the ways in which this scientific and technical information, including traditional knowledge, 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. As indicated in the above notification and pursuant to the requests of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention in decisions X/29, XI/17, XII/22 and XIII/12, this regional workshop is being convened by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in collaboration with the OSPAR Commission and the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, with financial support from the Governments of Sweden, Germany, France and Denmark. The workshop will be hosted by the Government of Sweden. In order to allow the Secretariat to prepare necessary scientific and technical input for the above-mentioned workshop 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 30 August 2019. Thank you for your continued support for the work of the Convention. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration. Attachment: Template for Submission of Scientific Information to Describe Areas Meeting Scientific Criteria for Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (http://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/mar/ebsaws-2015-01/other/ebsaws-2015-01-template-en.dot)

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points; SBSTTA Focal Points; Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Focal Points; relevant United Nations/international organizations; indigenous peoples and local communities; OSPAR Commission; NEAFC; International Council for the Exploration of the Sea; Regional Fisheries Bodies; and other relevant global and regional organizations/initiatives