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DRAFT CIESM CONTRIBUTION TO THE GREEN PAPER ON EU MARITIME POLICY 1. CONTEXT CIESM naturally welcomes the efforts of the European Commission to develop a strong, integrated Maritime Policy for Europe towards a strategy to protect and conserve the marine environment. CIESM intends to contribute concretely to the consultation process of the draft Green Paper (GP) on future EU maritime policy in selected areas where it is particularly competent. This exercise allows us to carry out a rigourous analysis of CIESM work over several decades to identify specific axes to develop future concerted actions with major added value. To begin with, CIESM intends to affirm officially, according to the EU declaration in its strategic objectives for 2005-2009, the « particular need for an all-embracing maritime policy… to be supported by excellence in marine scientific research, technology and innovation ». To this end, our CIESM contribution will partially address sections 2 and 4 of the GP, and take advantage of some related questions to underline the peculiar complexity of Mediterranean marine ecosystems that require a consolidated scientific knowledge to be understood correctly so as to allow to set up effective strategies for the sustainable use of resources. Scientific advice is especially necessary to address the monitoring effort required to determine what is a “change” or a “trend” and what is only variability. A few specific examples will be provided to reinforce this statement. This paper includes a list of important recommendations towards a reliable environmental monitoring strategy for the Mediterranean Sea. Briefly, this must be based on long-term, high resolution measurements of mesoscale-phenomena for which, in certain cases, the use of high technological tools is recommended. From the origins of the Commission (1908), CIESM’s efficiency is based on its scientific multidisciplinarity and both Gouvernmental and geographic representativity. As one of the most authoritative bodies on Mediterranean environmental related issues, CIESM provides an excellent example of effective use of holistic approaches. We do believe that integrative, ecosystemic approaches are the sine qua non condition to guarantee the success of environmental management strategies. CIESM takes the opportunity of its cross-basin coverage (7 EU; 13 non-EU Member States) to encourage the cooperation between EU Member States and their Mediterranean neighbours for what concerns : (i) the endorsement of main maritime regulations for safety and security and (ii) common management of non territorial waters so as to better detect and control illegal behaviours (e.g. fishing activities, illegal discharges from the ships etc.). It goes without saying that, due to the specific features of the Mediterranean - a semi-enclosed sea with highly urbanized coasts and increasing maritime activities - any attempt to regulate maritime policy will not yield important results without cross-Basin cooperation. 2. WORKPLAN (MILESTONES) A four-step consultation process has been initiated by CIESM 1- An initial brainstorming meeting with sixteen scientific experts from various disciplines was organized in Beaulieu-sur-mer, France on 16-17 March 2- Recommendations from the meeting will be presented and discussed, on 13 April, with a large audience of hundreds of marine scientists gathered in Istanbul for the 38th CIESM International Congress 3- For three weeks thereafter (until 20 May), further feedback from CIESM scientific network will be collected in a specially dedicated electronic forum on our website, and processed. 4- The final document will be circulated among the CIESM Board Members for validation prior to be sent officially to the EU (mid June). 3. DETAILED CONTRIBUTION TO GP-SECTION 2 4. DETAILED CONTRIBUTION TO GP-SECTION 4 5. POLICY ISSUES – MARGINAL CONTRIBUTION TO GP SECTION 5 6. MAJOR CRITICISMS TO THE GP Annex I (Brainstorming outline) 1. Rationale We have identified certain axes, where we feel that CIESM – with its coverage of most marine disciplines and its broad experience with marine environmental programs on both shores of the Mediterranean (7 EU; 13 non-EU countries – could uniquely enrich the Green Paper initiative: a) identification of major vectors of change in the Mediterranean Sea, along with clear, relevant warning signals (macro-descriptors, easy to track for the most part) that could be usefully monitored by cross-basin CIESM coordinated actions; b) the identification of appropriate geographic and temporal scales for survey, and of key, highly sensitive, geographic areas suitable for “early warning”; c) the identification of available time series and of large (national/ regional) data sets related to these issues; together with the identification of major data gaps. Several monitoring programmes tracking key marine parameters are already operating across the Mediterranean under CIESM control. To manage the different sets of data thus generated, CIESM has included Data Management among its priorities and plans to develop a prototype MetaBase for the consultation/management of data in relation to their geographic location. The data generated by CIESM ongoing programmes (http://www.ciesm.org/marine/programs/index.htm) will provide basic inputs to the Baseline Data set and could be very usefully linked with other relevant datasets. 1.1 Objectives/ intro of the meeting As a first step in the consultation, a brainstorming meeting was organized by CIESM in order to prepare (a) a preliminary document around the above questions, and (b) suggest a list of relevant CIESM concerted actions with major added value. This meeting took place at the Hotel Jean Fréville, in Beaulieu-sur-mer, on 16-17 March 2007. A second step will be a further discussion/ consolidation in Istanbul (midApril), prior to finalizing the CIESM contribution to the Green Paper in mid-May. After welcoming the participants, the Director General, Frédéric Briand, presented the potential spectrum and relevance of a ‘cross-Mediterranean’ CIESM input to the Green Paper, emphasizing the main objectives, focus and structure of this brainstorming exercise. He was followed by presentations of the Green Paper Initiative by Dr. Ölle Hagstrom (Head of Unit) and Dr. Kathrine Angell-Hansen from DG “Fisheries and Maritime Affairs”, who provided key recommendations for a most efficient input to the EU questionnaire. Sixteen scientists (list below) participated to the event and gave introductory talks detailing specific Mediterranean trends (e.g., time series of key descriptors). Name Boero, Ferdinando Budillon, Giorgio Casazza, Gianna Dell’Anno, Antonio El Moumni, Bouchta Gasparini Giampietro Gorsky, Gaby Greco, Silvestro Lascaratos, Alex Marcelli, Marco Institution Univ. Salento, ITA Univ. Naples, ITA APAT, ITA Univ. Ancona, ITA FST, Tanger, MOR ISMAR, CNR, ITA CNRS, Vlfr./s/mer, FRA ICRAM, ITA Univ. Athens, GRE Univ. La Tuscia, ITA Obs. Villefranche, FRA Mascle, Jean IEO, Barcelona, SPA Oliver, Pere Öztürk, Bayram Papathanassi ou, Vangelis Ribera D’Alcalà, Maurizio Univ. Istanbul, TUR Rosen, Dov IOLR, Haifa, ISR HCMR, Athens, GRE SZN, Naples, ITA Title of Contribution Macrodescriptors: looking at simplicity to understand complexity Propagation of the EMT from the Eastern to the Western Mediterranean The Water Framework Directive: (WFD) Directive 2000/60/EC Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in the deep Mediterranean sea Erosion côtière: Cas de la marge méditerranéenne marocaine Propagation of the EMT from the Eastern to the Western Mediterranean ZOOPLANKTON - ecological and biological indicator The Channel of Sicily as a key warning system Climatic Variability of the Mediterranean Sea and its Regional Seas Distribution of primary production along the water column by means of variable fluorescence methods Bottom discontinuities and active zones (e.g. mud volcanoes, methane seeping areas) as a source of energy sustaining deep-sea communities. Major available Data Bases containing Oceanographic, Marine Biology (zooand phytoplankton), and Fishery data Indicator Species for the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea Mediterranean Ecosystems: what we know, what we miss… Suggested elaboration of long-term monitoring data to a better detection of recurrent patterns and anomalies MedGLOSS Map of Near Real-Time and Delayed Mode Network of Sea Level Monitoring Stations The following scientists were not able to join the event, but they are kept in the loop of preliminary discussions: Boudouresque, Charles Univ. Marseilles, FRA Duarte, Carlos Font, Jordi Fuda, Jean-Luc Galil, Bella Kideys, Ahmet E. Millot, Claude Nival, Paul Sala, Enric Taupier-Letage, Isabelle CSIC, Mallorca, SPA CSIC, Barcelona, SPA COM, Marseilles, FRA IOLR, Haifa, ISR Inst. of Mar. Sc., Içel, TUR CNRS, La Seyne-sur-Mer, FRA Obs. Villefranche, FRA CSIC, Blanes, SPA/ Scripps, USA LOB, CNRS, La Seyne-sur-Mer, FRA The individual presentations and ensuing discussions helped better define Mediterranean typical features and their associated risks, and to formulate key recommendations for setting up reliable monitoring programs in the Mediterranean Sea. A very preliminary attempt to identify reliable frames for a Mediterranean “subregionalization” was made in some specific cases. The meeting included an exercise to explore how to better orient the future CIESM Metabase, keeping in mind the main expertise and current initiatives of our Commission, so as to fill crying gaps. Within this exercise, several relevant available databases (regional/ national) were suggested, that could be either part of an integrated, comprehensive Mediterranean Metabase or simply used as reference (e.g. to identify major trends, determine strategic geographic areas that could serve as “early warning systems” for detecting changes, etc.). 1.2 Typical Mediterranean features and/or patterns - - - Semi-enclosed sea ………………………...=> More sensitive to coastal and climate change effects High (increasing) coastal urbanisation …...=> High impact of human activities with associated risks of contamination, erosion et al. Highly reduced river input ………………=> Strong effect on sediment load, coastal erosion, salinity. Episodic/rare but heavy rainfalls, up to (catastrophic) flash floods, are usually associated with high sediment loads (to be considered for the time scale of observations). Deep-sea proximity..………………………..=> (1) Fast both horizontal and downward (linked to winter convection and mesoscale activity) transfer of stress effects to the highly fragile deep-sea ecosystems (links with chemical pollution and water cycles/climate change) => (2) Easy-to-exploit bottom resources (drilling, placement - - - - of cables, increasing deep-sea fishing, etc.) Crossroad between Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans => (1) risk of replacing endemic species with exotics; => (2) Intense cross-ocean maritime traffic and associated risks (e.g., oil and ballast transport) Plate tectonics/Active zones >> Vast amounts of sources of energy located on seabed => (1) Potentially high number of deep-sea sustained trophic webs; => (2) Risk of future increase –non regulated- of industrial drilling activities Intricate seabed topography/geographical variety >> complex circulation dynamics1 => (1) real difficulties in forecasting environmental changes => (2) need of studying the system at “case-by-case optimized scale. Deep sea water Formation Dilution North-western Mediterranean basins, namely the Adriatic, and central Ligurian Seas, export relatively fresh water to the surface layers of the adjacent areas. Those areas also loose heat every year so as to generate dense water, which is exported throughout bottom layers. The interannual variability of those flows and their compensating inflows (that balance losses) are tightly connected to climatic conditions. For all these reasons, the Mediterranean offers a unique panorama of highly diversified communities distributed along vertical gradients (down to the deepest zones –below 3000 m- where temperature never goes below 12°C, with canyons, sea mounts, hypersaline lakes, providing unique and much varied habitats). It is 1 For what concerns circulation patterns, the Mediterranean exhibits symmetry between the eastern and western basins, and dissymmetry between the northern (mostly regular circulation - Northern Currentwinter dry northern wind regime and deep convection), and southern shores (mesoscale dominant). Especially for the North, the circulation being mostly continuous, this means that all riparian countries downstream will be affected in case of pollution => need for a coherent effort (Taupier-Letage) characterized by a high endemism and very peculiar physical processes (e.g. deep convection, formation of intermediate –LIW, WIW- waters, short duration upwellings2), which lead to very specific ecological patterns and processes. It may harbour very rare and/or yet undescribed forms of life exhibiting metabolic patterns of potential industrial interest (deep-sea chemoauto- and chemoorganotrophic microorganisms able to carry out unusual and highly exploitable chemical processes). Because of its small dimensions, the sea response to atmospheric forcing is very rapid. Hence the Mediterranean Sea can be used as a testbed for global climatic changes (see EMT as a rapid response to changes in atmospheric forcing). 1.3 Common conclusions stemming from individual presentations Common conclusions were all linked by the fact that dynamics of the Mediterranean sea is strongly driven by meso-scale processes (from a few kilometres to a few hundred kilometres). Here follow major conclusions that were shared by all participants: - Suitability of “intermediate scale” studies and related key descriptors (Ozturk, Boero, Marcelli, Ribera D’Alcalà) - Need of long-term (decadal, at least) monitoring for detecting ecological patterns (Boero, Marcelli, Gorsky) - Need to increase the accuracy (i.e. “resolution”) of the analyses so as to detect irregularities (e.g. for biological data to focus on species rather than total stocks) (Boero, Oliver, Greco). - For correct interpretation of biological data, need to take into consideration their related ecological aspects (e.g. life cycles etc.). Among the examples, a wrong mismatch of prey-predator life cycles due to a species substitution could be the reason of the stock decrease (G. Gorsky) 1.4 Mediterranean “sub-regions” . The definition of the spatial extension of “internally homogeneous areas” for various parameters may be important for monitoring changes of specific events. Moreover, this may help to set up targeted monitoring strategies according to the features of each defined sub-region. Two examples were proposed, defining Mediterranean sub-regions according to distribution patterns of two major parameters: - Fishstat+[1] (FAO, updated yearly since 1970) Geographic mapping, where sub-regions are detected on the basis of species landings (http://www.fao.org/fi/website/FIRetrieveAction.do?dom=topic&fid=16073). Specific trends from this GIS may provide information on the health and the level of exploitation of the different systems (P. Oliver). 2 The Mediterranean Sea is characterized by short duration upwellings due to episodic strong wind events Their peculiarity is that they do not last long enough to be productive, but this puts a high temperature stress on flora and fauna. - A "First order regionalization" chart, based on spatial variability in the seasonal cycle of autotrophic biomass accumulation (obtained by a selective clustering of SeaWiFS time series) (D’Ortenzio & Ribera d’Alcala’, 2007). 1.5 Key warning areas One of CIESM’s strengths will be to address the monitoring effort required to determine what is a “change” or a “trend” and what is only variability (e;g. EMT is not a climatic change: it is decadal variability –up to now at least). This variability may not be known well enough in all domains to answer honestly the EU preoccupations. Based on the set of individual contributions, some preliminary key areas were suggested that could serve as early warning systems for detecting environmental changes (the list is not exhaustive): - Sicily Channel (EMT, increase in number of Atlantic and Indo-Pacific subtropical and tropical species, increase of whale stocks, collapsed catches of sardines, mackerel species, increasing catch of blue fin tuna and tuna like species, spreading trend of exotic species of Indo-Pacific origin) (Gasparini, Budillon, Greco, Boero, Papathanassiou) - Aegean Sea (invasive species, LIW formation, plate tectonics) (Papathanassiou, Ozturk, Mascle). Limited both in P and N, the Aegean Sea is characterized by a southeastward (i) increase in oligotrophy, and (ii) decrease in the efficiency of energy transfer through the pelagic food web (V. Patathanassiou). A preliminary list of biological macrodescriptors has been proposed for the Aegean Sea, of which long-term monitoring could be useful to detect ecological changes in this area of the Mediterranean Sea (B. Oztürk, N. Boero). - Straits (Gibraltar, Corsica, Dardanelles): tropicalization, cascading effects of water masses. - COASTAL AREAS are extremely sensitive to the atmospheric forcing and changes. It would be desirable to consider some "key warming area" on shallow water. Among those, the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Trieste where decadal time series on physical and biochemical parameters are available (Budillon). - North Adriatic. It is the coldest part of the whole Mediterranean and hosts a particular biota of clear boreal affinity (e.g. Fucus virsoides). It is the site of deep water formation of the Eastern Mediterranean. Presumbably highly sensitive to temperature increases. Well known biota due to the long tradition of marine studies in the Gulf of Trieste. Appropriate to historical ecology approaches (Boero). - Tyrrhenian Sea (Northward moving of the gradient/tropicalization associated patterns, and invasive species) (Gasparini, Budillon, Ribera-D’Alcalà, Marcelli, Dell’Anno) SPECIFICALLY linked to BIODIVERSITY ISSUES - Sea mounts (Dell’Anno) (e.g. Ionian and Tyrrhenian sea) - Deep-sea (white) coral reefs zones (Central Mediterranean Sea) 1.6 Data Bases Given CIESM central role in Mediterranean-related multidisciplinary research, and realizing the critical importance of mapping distribution of key parameters at basin scale for the correct understanding of ecosystem changes, CIESM could provide an ideal site for data rescue and integration. Within this context, some preliminary options have been considered and discussed, namely suitable data sets to be developed or, others, that have been partially created and could be integrated or linked to the future CIESM Metabase. Already existing, full reliable Data sets might be used as references or as case studies to try identifying major trends or key areas. As preliminary options, the following were mentioned: 1. The Data Base of the Programme “Italian MATT-Regioni”. Within this Programme, 1770 Coastal stations (1997-2000) and 400 stations (2001-2004) have been sampled to measure several biological parameters (including diversity and abundance of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic populations) related to the water quality in relation to its ecological status (G. Casazza; S. Greco). 2. The possibility has been suggested of using the FAO Fishstat+ Database, which includes landings by species and countries since 1950 and by Mediterranean subregions since 1970, to define macroindicators showing changes in the Mediterranean LMR (P. Oliver). 3. The lack of a consistent data base showing post-1990 data related to river run off in the Mediterranean Sea has been underlined. Some individual initiatives (e.g. J. Milliman, W. Ludwig –personal communication) trace a reliable story of temporal and spatial changes in river discharge in the Mediterranean Sea but the story is incomplete, and will not be truly comprehensive until a full database is created. CIESM could help filling the gaps by encouraging Mediterranean countries to contribute data to a central (CIESM?) dataset. 4. CIESM could make a similar effort by combining physical data (T/S through the entire water column) and thus complete the puzzle that is already getting more and more defined thanks to its HydroChanges, MedGLOSS and TransMED Programs (G. Gasparini, G. Budillon). 5. A Data Base on erosion trends of the Mediterranean coastline is missing (B. El Moumni). Moreover, information on this subject related to the EU Mediterranean coastal regions (EU Maritime Policy, 2006, 3rd edition?) is not reliable (V. Papathanassiou). CIESM may play a central facilitating role. 6. CIESM Data concerning the distribution of some chemical contaminants, with emphasis on new emerging contaminants, could be integrated with other existing Databases (e.g. IASON, MEDICIS, SESAME). 7. How to link data from the Mediterranean international multidisciplinary cruises (e.g. SESAME, CIESM-SUB, ESF-Eurodeep/BIOFUN)? This would allow for some of them a field integrated (holistic) study of Mediterranean changes at basin scale and help to coordinate plans for future campaigns (location, time, main objectives). 2. Further suggestions (details) The Mediterranean Sea is strongly driven by meso-scale processes (from a few kilometres to a few hundred kilometres), e.g. with eddies that attain the characteristics of stationary gyres. It follows that any endeavour to improve the skill of operational modelling and forecasting Mediterranean ecosystem dynamics requires a sufficient understanding of mesoscale processes (see CIESM Workshop Monograph n°27). A recurrent problem in many oceanographic mesoscale studies is the difficulty to adapt the sampling needs of different aspects of a multidisciplinary program to a unique, coherent observational strategy. The brainstorming was also aiming to draft a list of important recommendations towards a reliable environmental monitoring strategy to be applied to the Mediterranean Sea. This shall be based, mainly, on a complex, multidisciplinary approach to measure, accurately, meso-scale phenomena. 2.1 Methodological Issues (including key parameters) The need to increase the power of resolution as well as to improve the quality of time series measurements, was a priority recommendation. This was extended to the measurements of both abiotic and biological parameters, and, in the case of general surveys, included the usefulness of high technology for exploring marine environments. GENERAL SURVEYS ● PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY Synoptic spatial patterns from satellite and mooring’s data should be complemented by Phyto-VFP (variable fluorescence) Chlorophyll a measurements along the water column to fill the gaps (proposed model T-FLAP; European Patent EPO07425096) (Marcelli) ● BOTTOM MORPHO-BATHYMETRY High resolution image studies of the bottom morpho-bathymetry carried out by especially equipped autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) have recorded a high amount of punctual sea floor deformations correlated with gas (mainly methane) seeps on the seafloor, that were missed by previous surveys. This kind of measurements shall be extended to a representative area so as to allow the update of estimates about the amount of available sources of energy at the bottom (Mascle). CIRCULATION / MESOSCALE DYNAMICS Recommendation to carry out accurate and timely observations of deepwater currents were made. Moored ADCPs yield unvaluable time series. Ship-mounted ADCPs or CTD/ADCPs deployed from ships (Lowered ADCP - LADCP) provide a complementary description that is necessary for interpreting correctly other (biological- biogeochemical) parameters(Budillon, Taupier-Letage). BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS (Ozturk, Boero, Gorsky, Marcelli, Ribera-D’Alcalà, Oliver, Greco) Biodiversity related surveys must be carried out carefully. Taxonomic studies should preferably reach the “species” level. This is particularly important while considering the possibility of settlement of alien species: the record of Caulerpa sp might mean that the species is C. racemosa, the native Caluerpa of the Mediterranean, or is either C. taxifolia or C. racemosa, two alien species. Moreover, for correctly understanding the ecological impact of a change in biodiversity, several “functional” parameters should be considered as necessary complements to the taxonomic studies. The roles of most species are still unknown, but it is presumably correct that habitat-forming species are of particular importance. A rough attempt to list key species for monitoring certain environmental conditions was undertaken but it remained very preliminary. Neither the geographic boundaries of the suggested species nor the adequate time scales were precised. Here follow some of the items mentioned (for possible development later): FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS ● Shifts in food webs ● Phases and duration of seasons ● Change in size spectra TAXONOMIC PARAMETERS (VERY PRELIMINARY LIST) - transition from fish to gelatinous biomass - shift in elasmobranch : bony fish ratio– Healthy status of ecosystem (Oliver) - sea urchin barrens (Boero) Monitor the extension of ‘desertified’ marine areas’ caused by overgrazing linked to population explosions of Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula populations – (for rocky bottoms) - Tintinnids (oral opening) (Ribera D’Alcalà from Modigh, 2007) - Alien species- signals for maritime traffic related risks3, trans-canal introduction, mariculture4 and global warning5 (Galil). Optimal site for monitoring: SE Levant (“the Sentinel area”), and southern Aegean and the Sicilian channel (important way stations). CIESM has been in the forefront of this issue (worldwide) 2.2 Long-term monitoring Reliable monitoring programmes should cover a time frame allowing recurrent patterns to be detected. Therefore, they must be adjusted to the parameter(s) to be monitored. An important task will be to identify the optimal (long term) duration of 3 Definitely, some AS benefit from the intensification of maritime traffic: of the 183 alien molluscs in the Med, 48 are considered to be either introduced or secondarily transported by vessels. Mariculturethe expansion of mariculture in the 1970s & 1980s is closely reflected in the number and locations of AS. 4 The expansion of mariculture in the 1970s & 1980s is closely reflected in the number and locations of AS. 5 Since most alien species are thermophilic, higher SST and changes in the hydrographic regimes help expand AS ranges beyond thier present distributions monitoring activities for the different key parameters. For biological parameters, this will logically deal with life cycle duration of the considered species. Due to the documented high variability at meso- and decadal scales (at least) of the circulation dynamics, monitoring of physical patterns should be extended to several decades. Some promising examples have been provided (Ribera D’Alcalà): - 20 years temperature time series in Mediterranean case study areas illustrate with a sufficient reliability the inter-annual variability trends. - 20 years time series of measurements related to the build-up of phytoplankton biomass indicated clearly the appearance of “tropical features” (maximum values in January-February) in certain areas of the Mediterranean Sea. There were no significant links between the geographical occurrence of this phenomenon and the latitude of the interested areas. 3. Other Issues 3.1 Policy Issues Need of integrating Non- EU Mediterranean States in the Mediterranean common policy (“mixed agreements”) for what concerns, particularly, the following issues: - To apply regulatory constraints that guarantee maritime traffic safety (ex. specific case of oil tankers, and related risks of oil spill accidents all over the Mediterranean Sea) - To formalize a common agreement that regulates the use of non territorial waters and the access to their resources (lack of EEZ in Mediterranean hinders good governance of high seas). This should include a special chapter on free/facilitated access to claimed EEZs for scientific work:campaigns (Taupier-Letage). 3.2 Science and Policy - A better integration of scientists and policy makers in the various steps leading to final endorsement of directives would lead to more effective, non biased results. - Future discussions with World Bank Organization to prepare a coordinated strategy for 2008 (V. Papathanassiou).