Supporting the ecosystem approach in deep-sea mining processes: a framework proposal for regional environmental management plans

• Grant number: 19/14537-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2019
• End date: August 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Biological Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Alexander Turra
• Grantee: Maila Paisano Guilhon e Sá
• Supervisor: Sabine Christiansen
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, Potsdam (IASS), Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 16/24677-8 - Opportunities and challenges for the incorporation of the ecosystem based approach in seabed conservation: a case study on mineral exploration in the Rio Grande Rise, BP.DR

Abstract

Marine human uses have extended to areas out of reach a few years ago, such as the seabed. These uses, usually governed and managed sectorally, are affecting sensitive ecosystems like seamounts and hydrothermal vents. In light of this, new strategies, such as the integrative Ecosystem Approach (EA), have been emerging in face of complex conservation scenarios. The International Seabed Authority (ISA), responsible for managing the potential use of mineral resources in the Area for the benefit of mankind as a whole, recognizes the importance of incorporating the EA in management instruments such as Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs). Considering this, the present BEPE proposal aims to propose a REMP framework that operationalizes the EA in deep-sea mining. In order to accomplish this, a three-step strategy will be performed: EA mapping in documents and meetings, a SWOT analysis for EA evaluation and a REMP framework proposal. The study is part of a comprehensive PhD study regarding the incorporation of EA in the deep-sea mining regulatory process. A publication is expected as the main product of the partnership between University of São Paulo and the Institute of Sustainability Studies, a group with strong enrollment in issues related to environmental management of deep-sea mining activities, including the development of a concept for a standardised process to REMP elaboration and implementation. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

XAVIER, LUCIANA YOKOYAMA; GUILHON, MAILA; GONCALVES, LEANDRA REGINA; CORREA, MARINA RIBEIRO; TURRA, ALEXANDER. aves of Change: Towards Ecosystem-Based Management to Climate Change Adaptatio. USTAINABILIT, v. 14, n. 3, FEB 2022. (18/13238-9, 17/21797-5, 19/14537-2, 16/24677-8, 18/00462-8, 19/04481-0, 19/13851-5)

GUILHON, MAILA; SINGH, PRADEEP; CHRISTIANSEN, SABINE; TURRA, ALEXANDER. Revisiting procedural requirements for the assessment of environmental impacts arising from the different stages of deep seabed mining: Current practices at the International Seabed Authority and recommendations for improvement. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REVIEW, v. 96, p. 14-pg., 2022-09-01. (14/50820-7, 19/14537-2, 16/24677-8)

GUILHON, MAILA; MONTSERRAT, FRANCESC; TURRA, ALEXANDER. ecognition of ecosystem-based management principles in key documents of the seabed mining regime: implications and further recommendation. ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE, v. 78, n. 3, p. 884-899, JUL 2021. (16/10091-1, 14/50820-7, 19/14537-2, 16/24677-8)

HARDEN-DAVIES, HARRIET; AMON, DIVA J.; VIERROS, MARJO; BAX, NICHOLAS J.; HANICH, QUENTIN; HILLS, JEREMY M.; GUILHON, MAILA; MCQUAID, KIRSTY A.; MOHAMMED, ESSAM; POUPONNEAU, ANGELIQUE; et al. Capacity development in the Ocean Decade and beyond: Key questions about meanings, motivations, pathways, and measurements. EARTH SYSTEM GOVERNANCE, v. 12, p. 7-pg., 2022-04-03. (19/14537-2, 16/24677-8)