Programme Cooperation Agreement 2010 – 2011

Wind turbines offshore/Scroby Sands wind farm, Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, UK. Photo courtesy of: Adrian Beesley (iStock photo)

together the leading international experts in deep-sea mining and sustainable development to examine new ways to plan and regulate the development of non-liv- ing resources. The first commercial deep-sea mining lease grant- ed in Papua New Guinea territorial waters to mine ‘high grade’ Seafloor Massive Sulphide (SMS) de- posits has triggered a growing interest in mining deep-sea minerals in the Pacific Region. SMS de- posits include copper, gold, silver, zinc and lead. In addition to SMS, the seabed of the region is abundant in manganese nodules and cobalt rich crusts. The pioneering atlas, the Seafloor Geomorphology as Benthic Habitat: GeoHAB Atlas of Seafloor Geomor- phic Features and Benthic Habitats , was released in December 2011. Two hundred and thirty contribu- tors have constructed 54 case studies of different geo- morphic environments, 28 from coastal regions to the deep ocean basins. The case studies combine de- tailed seabed morphology 29 with benthic biodiversity analysis to yield an integrated picture of the benthic communities that are associated with different types of benthic habitat. This publication is the first product in an international collaborative 5-year project managed by GRID-Arendal that aims to provide tools to support sustainable management of the oceans both within and beyond national jurisdiction, with a focus on benthic environments. Following the work on UNEP’s Green Economy Report, GRID-Arendal was tasked with the development of two further reports in the Green Economy series. The Green Economy in Small Island Developing States will present how a green economy can help SIDS in addressing their unique challenges and vulnerabilities. The G reen Economy in a Blue World Report will explore opportu- nities for greening six economic sectors 30 in order to protect marine ecosystems and their services while

supporting sustainable development. Beyond produc- tion and coordination of the report, GRID-Arendal is contributing analytic content on future exploitation of deep-sea minerals drawing on experience gained through the initiative with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). GRID-Arendal will support the launch of the Synthesis Report 31 in January 2012. The University of the Sea (UOS) , a partnership be- tween GRID-Arendal and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, builds scientific capacity by bringing together senior research- ers and young scholars to address marine science issues. In 2011 the UOS worked on expanding the programme to Africa and building relationships with the International Seabed Authority and the international scientific organisation, INTERIDGE. It is envisaged that in 2012 the UOS will begin delivering marine capacity building opportunities to developing country students in close partnership with these organisations.

28. Definition of geomorphic environment: Of or relating to the form of the landscape and other natural features of the earth’s surface. 29. Definition of morphology: The study of the forms of things, in par- ticular; the branch of biology that deals with the form of living organ- isms, and with relationships between their structures. 30. Fisheries and aquaculture; Maritime transport, Marine-based re- newable energy; Ocean nutrient pollution; Coastal tourism, and; Deep- sea minerals. 31. At the 3 rd Intergovernmental Review Panel of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land- based Activities. The full report will be completed in time for the Rio+20 Conference.

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