Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems

6.8. Management options

While some pressures on MCEs are global in origin, and require a global response, others are regional or local. It is important that measures to protect an individual MCE take an adaptive, ecosystem-based management approach to address the cumulative impacts, considering both global and local pressures. MCEs are vulnerable to the same threats and pressures as shallow coral reef ecosystems, but they are

rarely included in the design of marine spatial plans and marine protected areas. Lack of awareness about the existence of MCEs and a limited understanding of their spatial distribution are the main reasons for their exclusion from management plans. The good news is that many of the same management approaches used for shallow-water reefs can be used for MCEs (Table 6.2).

Table6.2. Management options used for shallow-water reefs (Mumby and Steneck 2008) that could address comparable issues affectingMCEs.

Shallow-water coral reef ecosystems

Mesophotic coral ecosystems

• Fishing closures • Marine protected areas (MPAs)

• Fishing closures • MPAs (MCEs are not considered in most countries) • Wastewater treatment and management to reduce pollution (potential) • Shipping industry guidelines to curb introduced species (potential) • Shipping industry guidelines to restrict discharge of oil (potential) • Ensure that international trade of mesophotic reef species, and their parts and products is sustainable (potential) • Placement of fixed mooring buoys to reduce anchor damage (potential) • Diving guidelines to reduce reef damage (potential) • Guidelines for oil and gas exploration, alternative energy, cables and pipelines (potential)

• Wastewater treatment and management to reduce pollution • Shipping industry guidelines to curb introduced species • Shipping industry guidelines to restrict discharge of oil • Ensure that international trade of reef species, and their parts and products is sustainable • Placement of fixed mooring buoys to reduce anchor damage

• Tourism guidelines to reduce reef damage • Coral reef rehabilitation for damaged areas • Public education and involvement

MESOPHOTIC CORAL ECOSYSTEMS – A LIFEBOAT FOR CORAL REEFS? 82