# Presentation: 358856

## MARINE ECOSYSTEMS, NATIONAL JURISDICTION AND ARGO IN WEST AFRICA

**BY**
** ****LARRY AWOSIKA PhD**
**Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research**
**Lagos**

## DISCLAIMER: 

***The views expressed in this presentation do not represent the opinion of the United Nations, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf,  State parties to UNCLOS, any other UN Agency or private organisations.***** **

##              MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
Marine ecosystems are a part of the largest aquatic system on the planet, covering over 70% of the Earth's surface. The habitats that make up this vast system range from the productive nearshore regions to the barren ocean floor. Some examples of important marine ecosystems are:
Oceans 
Estuaries and salt marshes 
Lagoons 
Tropical Communities (Mangrove Forests and Coral Reefs) 
Rocky subtidal (Kelp Beds and Seagrass Beds) 
Intertidal (Rocky, sandy, and muddy shores) 

- Marine ecosystems are a part of the largest aquatic system on the planet,* *covering over 70% of the Earth's surface. The habitats that make up this vast system range from the productive nearshore regions to the barren ocean floor. Some examples of important marine ecosystems are:
- Oceans
- Estuaries and salt marshes
- Lagoons
- Tropical Communities (Mangrove Forests and Coral Reefs)
- Rocky subtidal (Kelp Beds and Seagrass Beds)
- Intertidal (Rocky, sandy, and muddy shores)

## CHARACTERISTICS

**  ****Relatively large regions on the order of 200,000 km2 or greater, **
**  ****distinct bathymetry, **
**  ****hydrography, **
**  **
**productivity, and **
**  ****tropically dependent populations. **

## Marine ecosystems are home to a host of different species ranging from tiny planktonic organisms that comprise the base of the marine food web (i.e., phytoplankton and zooplankton) to large marine mammals like the whales, manatees, and seals. Many fish species reside in marine ecosystems including flounder, scup, sea bass, monkfish, squid, mackerel, butterfish, and spiny dogfish. Birds are also plentiful including shorebirds, gulls, wading birds, and terns. 

## According to the World Resources Center, coastal habitats alone account for approximately 1/3 of all marine biological productivity, and estuarine ecosystems (i.e., salt marshes, seagrasses, mangrove forests) are among the most productive regions on the planet. In addition, other marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, provide food and shelter to the highest levels of marine diversity in the world.

**According to the World Resources Center, coastal habitats alone account for approximately 1/3 of all marine biological productivity, and estuarine ecosystems (i.e., salt marshes, seagrasses, mangrove forests) are among the most productive regions on the planet. In addition, other marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, provide food and shelter to the highest levels of marine diversity in the world.**

## Slide 7

## The Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem is characterized by its tropical climate. It owes its unity to the Guinea Current, an eastward flow that is fed by the North Equatorial Counter Current (NECC) off the Liberian coast. 

**The ****Guinea Current**** Large Marine Ecosystem is characterized by its tropical climate. It owes its unity to the Guinea Current, an eastward flow that is fed by the North Equatorial Counter Current (NECC) off the Liberian coast. **

## Benguela  LME borders the Atlantic Ocean is defined by the Benguela Current. It is characterized by its temperate climate. It is a western boundary ecosystem, and the strongest wind-driven coastal upwelling system known. Climate is the primary force driving the LME, with intensive fishing as the secondary driving force 

**Benguela  LME**** borders the Atlantic Ocean is defined by the Benguela Current. It is characterized by its temperate climate. It is a western boundary ecosystem, and the strongest wind-driven coastal upwelling system known. Climate is the primary force driving the LME, with intensive fishing as the secondary driving force **

**The ****Canary Current**** Large Marine Ecosystem is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and is characterized by its temperate climate. This LME, situated off the coast of Northwest Africa, shows major upwelling and other seasonal nutrient enrichments. Climate is the primary force driving the LME, with intensive fishing as the secondary driving force.**

## MANAGEMENT OF MARINE ECOSYSTEM:  TOOLS

**International conventions**
**Regional conventions, protocols  and activities**
**National legislation and activities**
**Institutional infrastructure and human resources**
**Cooperation**

## The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) adopted in 1982 consists of a set of comprehensive legal framework dealing with all aspects of man’s activities and interaction with the oceans and seas. The Convention sets out the legal framework within which all maritime activities should be consistent

**A TOOL FOR PRESERVING THE OCEAN AND THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT**

##   Scientific research

**Limits of marine zones. (Territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf)**
**Rights of navigation, including through straights used for    international navigation.**
**Peace and security on the oceans and seas.**
**Conservation and management of living marine resources**
**Protection and preservation of the marine environment**
**  ****Scientific research**
**Activities on the Sea bed beyond national jurisdictions**
**  ****Procedures for settling disputes between** States.

##         MARITIME ZONES 

**Territorial sea (TS): ART. 4: 12 NM LIMIT**
**Contiguous zone (CZ):  ART. 33: 24M LIMIT**
**Exclusive economic zone (EEZ): ART. 57: 200M LIMIT**
**Extended continental shelf: (ECZ) Art 76:  350M limit**** **
**   ****UNCLOS requires States to deposit all coordinates of THE ABOVE claims with the United Nations.**

## Some West African State Parties to International Law of the Sea Convention

## Summary of claims to maritime spaces under regional national jurisdiction of some States in West Africa

**Summary of claims to maritime spaces under regional national jurisdiction of some States in West Africa**

## LAW OF THE SEA CONVENTIONPART XIIIMARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

**All States, irrespective of their geographical location, and competent international organizations have the right to conduct marine scientific research subject to the rights and duties of other States as provided for in this Convention. **
**Article 239 :PROMOTION OF MARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH**** **
**States and competent international organizations shall promote and facilitate the development and conduct of marine scientific research in accordance with this Convention. **

**LAW OF THE SEA CONVENTION****PART XIII****MARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH**

## UNCLOS  Article 240GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE CONDUCT OF MARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

**In the conduct of marine scientific research the following principles shall apply: **
**(a) marine scientific research shall be conducted exclusively for peaceful purposes; **
**(b) marine scientific research shall be conducted with appropriate scientific methods and means compatible with this Convention; **
**(c) marine scientific research shall not unjustifiably interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea compatible with this Convention and shall be duly respected in the course of such uses; **
**(d) marine scientific research shall be conducted in compliance with all relevant regulations adopted in conformity with this Convention including those for the protection and preservation of the marine environment**

- IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK IN WEST AFRICA

## UN GA RESOLUTION 2004

**Marine science**
**PARA 81. *****Calls upon *****States, individually, or in collaboration with each other or with relevant international organizations and bodies, to improve understanding and knowledge of the deep sea, including, in particular, the extent and vulnerability of deep sea biodiversity and ecosystems, by increasing their marine scientific research activities in accordance with the Convention;**

## ARGO: IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK IN WEST AFRICA

**WEST AFRICAN STATES can assert the right of jurisdiction over marine scientific research within its EEZ. While international law, of course, provides for this right.**
** ****West African states should encourage such research because there are many benefits to be derived from marine scientific research. **

## REGIONAL  FRAMEWORK

**IOC :****  IOCEA REGIONAL ACTIVITIES AND NETWORK**
**UNEP:****  ABDIJAN CONVENTION NETWORK**
**UNIDO:****  LME’S**
**International and bilateral: NOAA, IFERMER, ETC**

## REGIONAL PROGRAMMES

**ODINAFRICA**
**IODE**
**GOOS AFRICA**
**GCLME**
**BCLME**
**EXISTING IMPLEMETATION FRAMEWORK OF ALL THESE PROGRAMMES COULD BE HANDY FOR ARGO IN WEST AFRICA**

##         NATIONAL FRAMEWORK

**NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC CENTERS**
**UNIVERSITIES**
**FISHERIES RESEARCH CENTERS**

## ARGO IN WEST AFRICA

**COLLABORATION IS THE KEY**
**ARGO UTILISING  UN agencies should utilize regional and national settings and framework to ensure that country needs are understood, to assure coordination to meet both country and regionally-defined needs.**

## CONCLUSION

**Effective management of marine resources particularly offshore requires an understanding of the general morphology of the ocean. **
- The research community will benefit from the data from ARGO floats.
**Results of which can be used for industrial, scientific and management purposes.**** **

## T H A N K S   F O R    L I S T E R N I N G