Sustaining the World's Large Marine Ecosystems

2007 was a step in that direction. Based on the positive experiences of the
BCLME Programme and of the Guinea Current LME Programme, the Forum
focused on:
• The transfer of experience from established LMEs to new ones.
• The exchange of scientists and technicians among LMEs, e.g. in cruises
and workshops.
• The sharing of technical infrastructure, as on the R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen.
• Joint participation in mega-regional projects, e.g. by building up a network
of observation stations for GOOS-Africa.
• Making scientific meetings and training programmes more attractive to
participants from abroad.
Those activities require – on the global scale - some formal structure to ensure
the continuous flow of communication and cooperation between LMEs.
In terms of the future of the LME movement, an organizational structure has to be
found, which takes care of the interests of the individual LME projects and their
mega-regional alliances, helps to promote the global obligations of the LME
movement under the agenda and targets of the World Summit for Sustainable
Development (WSSD).
In a nutshell
The LME approach remains a good way forward in the direction of the
sustainable use of marine ecosystems. In the future, the interaction should be
strengthened amongst the various science sectors and among scientists and
stakeholders, the general public, and national and international governance
structures. Partnership is needed on all levels and on all geographical scales –
from village communities to the globe. What is lacking is not so much the money
but rather the political will and the vision of enthusiastic and competent experts.
LME partners should become members of a global network requiring a minimum
organizational structure for which the key elements have been discussed in the
past year.
115