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    Scientific background document in support of the development of a CCAMLR MPA in the Weddell Sea (Antarctica) – Version 2015 - Part B: Description of available spatial data

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    Document Number:
    SC-CAMLR-XXXIV/BG/16
    Author(s):
    Delegation of Germany
    Submitted By:
    Dr Katharina Teschke (Germany)
    Abstract

    Germany intends to present the Scientific Committee the scientific background and justification for the development of a marine protected area (MPA) in the Weddell Sea planning area. In accordance with the recommendations by WG-EMM-14 (SC-CAMLR-XXIII, Annex 6), this was done in three separate documents (Part A-C). SC-CAMLR-XXXIV/BG/15 (Part A) sets out the general context of the establishment of MPAs and provides the background information on the Weddell Sea MPA (WSMPA) planning area; SC-CAMLR-XXXIV/BG/16 (Part B) informs on the data retrieval process and SC-CAMLR-XXXIV/BG/17 (Part C) describes the means and the results of the scientific analyses and the development of objectives and priority areas for a Weddell Sea MPA.

    Here, the delegation of Germany intends to update the Scientific Committee on the current state of Part B that was further developed in the 2014/15 intersessional period. Chapter 1 describes the environmental data sets that were acquired for the evaluation of MPAs in the Weddell Sea planning area. Chapter 2 provides a systematic overview of the current data situation regarding ecological data sets. Most data sets are already presented in our background document SC-CAMLR-XXXIII/BG/02, which the Scientific Committee had welcomed and endorsed as a foundation reference document for the Weddell Sea MPA planning (SC-CAMLR-XXXIII, § 5.21).

    Please note that this document constitutes the final version of Part B of the WSMPA background document (subject to final editorial corrections and changes).