Event: Understanding OECMs to achieve the 30 by 30 target

When: 29 September 2023, 10.00-17.15
Where: Business Europe – Av. de Cortenbergh 168, Brussels, Belgium

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The EU Biodiversity Strategy sets the target to legally protect a minimum of 30% of the EU’s Sea area of which 10% must be strictly protected by 2030. Following its endorsement, the Commission published criteria and guidance for protected areas designations to help Member States achieve this target. These criteria and guidance state that Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs) can be counted against the target, as also reflected in Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, recently adopted under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. While this novel area of work for conservation is under development, it is essential to bridge narratives and experiences between Member States, EU institutions, international organizations, experts and relevant NGOs currently working on the issue to foster a shared understanding on OECMs, while encouraging cooperation and partnerships for the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. This workshop will analyze case studies of potential fishery OECMs, showing how areas under fishery management measures with high level of protection can enable Member States to reach the objectives set out in the EU Biodiversity Strategy.  This event is funded by and organised in the framework of the Biogeographical Process for Marine Regions.

Call for case studies here.

Draft Agenda: 

The workshop is moderated by Ernesto Penas Lado – Chair of the IUCN Fisheries Expert Group

9.30-10.00:              Welcome coffee 

10.00-10.10:     Natura 2000 biogeographical process – Richard White (NatureBureau)

10.10-10.40:           The EU Biodiversity Strategy and the 30% protection target – Anna Cheilari (DG ENV) 

10.40-11.10:          Available guidance for the implementation of fisheries OECMs (vidéo) – Amber Himes-Cornell (FAO) 

11.10-11.40:       Implementation of OECMs in fisheries, how to get started – Serge Garcia (IUCN Fisheries Expert Group)

11.40-12.15:           Q&A  

12.15-13.15:           Lunch 

13.15-13.30:          OECMs quick-screening process – Serge Garcia (Fisheries Expert Group)

13.30-15.00:          Presentation of case studies:

• • • United-Kingdom – Eskild Kirkegaard (ICES)
    • France – Agathe Chambonneau (CNPMEM)
    • Two examples from GFCM in the Mediterranean – Serge Garcia (IUCN Fisheries Expert Groups)

15.00-16.30:         Discussion

16.30-16.45:         Summary and closure