SIMNORAT - Transboundary Stakeholder Workshop - Vigo - Spain and Portugal - 28/11/2018
Creators
Description
In the framework of SIMNORAT project, last 28th of November of 2018, a workshop was organized in Vigo (Spain) to consider the implementation of a cross-border Marine Protected Area (MPA) between Spain and Portugal. This case study aimed to establish an scenario to identify and assess the issues (synergies, conflicts and gaps) between different activities/uses carried out in the area , as a result of the potential implementation of new transboundary protection figures between Spain and Portugal, around several seamounts near the limit of the continental shelf, as the Galicia Bank, where its high productivity has been demonstrated, together with the existence of numerous ecosystems located in the bank flank which creates a hotspot of biodiversity in the open ocean, favoring the presence of different species of cetaceans, marine turtles and seabirds.
The creation of MPAs implemented by management measures, is the best tool to protect and preserve the high value of the marine resources and biodiversity that this cross-border area stands. Due to the fact that these banks area located far from the main pressure focuses, the conservation status is quite high. Although the Galicia Bank is situated far from most of the human activities, normally localized closer to the coast,, the correct management of fishing, maritime traffic and the possibility of laying underwater cables is vital to prevent future impacts and pressures that could modify oceanographic conditions or threaten the biodiversity. In order to design coherent Management Plans to ensure the long-term conservation of marine biodiversity in the study area, a round-table exercise was promoted in the workshop to discuss ideas, synergies and conflicts regarding the potential cross-border MPA.
To address those issues, 32 stakeholders from both countries clustered around 6 sectors with potential interests in the study area: (1) Conservation (2) Marine Research (3) Fisheries (4) Navigation (5) Energy and Mineral Resources and (6) Renewable Energies. The workshop was structured on several round tables with 2 different sectors met between them, with always a representation from research and conservation sectors in each table, as those sectors were considered crosscutting themes in the workshop, to identify and spatially translate the interactions between their activities.
Shared conclusions from the round tables highlighted the lack of strong conflicts between activities in the area to be protected as its ecological value is well demonstrated but has little relevance for fishing, uncertain interest for mineral resources exploitation, low number of navigation routes crossing the area, and renewable energy platforms are unfeasible at that distance from the coast. There was consensus on the convenience of data/information exchange platforms to optimize research investment and knowledge progress on the available resources of the area. Finally, there was general agreement on the need of a stable communication mechanism between governments and stakeholders allowing the implementation of common governance mechanisms and management plans for this cross-border Case Study.
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Here you can find the materials of this event. Please note that most of the documents are only available in Spanish and Portuguese. For further information please consult the project deliverable of this case study (English).
Notes
Files
SIMNORAT_WS_Vigo_FS_Conservacion.pdf
Files
(11.1 MB)
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