DELIVERABLE D2.1 - Ifremer

MSs shall take the requisite measures to establish a general system of protection for allspecies of birds listed in this Directive.The OSPAR Convention for the protection of the marine environment of the NE Atlantic states thatquestions relating to the management of fisheries should be regulated under internationaland regional agreements dealing specifically with such questions. Where OSPAR considersthat action for the protection and conservation of the NE Atlantic, is desirable in relation to aquestion relating to the management of fisheries, it acts to draw that question to theattention of the authority or international body competent for that question. Where actionwithin the competence of the OSPAR Commission is desirable to complement or supportaction by those authorities or bodies, the OSPAR shall endeavour to cooperate with them.OSPAR Commission's Biological Diversity and Ecosystems Strategy has a very broad focus, sinceit is concerned with all human activities (excluding those which may cause pollution), whichcan have an adverse effect on the protection and conservation of the ecosystems and thebiological diversity of the NE Atlantic (human activities with the potential to cause pollutionare addressed by the other strategies). In addition to protecting and conserving ecosystems,the OSPAR Convention makes provision to restore, where practicable, marine areas thathave been adversely affected. The Strategy has four elements:• Ecological quality objectives in support of the EA 9 ;• Species and habitats: assessments are made of species and habitats that are threatened orin decline and programmes and measures are developed for their protection;• MPAs: an ecologically coherent network of well-managed MPAs is being created,including MPAs in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction;• Human activities: the human activities in the OSPAR maritime area which mayadversely affect it are being assessed and programmes and measures to safeguardagainst such harm are being developed.Fishing is an important economic activity in the OSPAR area, often being highly significantas a source of employment in areas where there are few alternatives. The impacts of fisherieson the marine environment can be profound. OSPAR’s Quality Status Report 2000 identifiedfisheries as one of the human activities with the highest impact on the marine environment.The impacts can include:• exploitation of stocks beyond safe biological limits;• alteration of community and trophic structure;9 A pilot study on ecological quality objectives for the North Sea has been undertaken. Consideration is now being givento extending ecological quality objectives to other OSPAR sub-regions;112