Scoping activities follow discussions on the identification of new and emerging issues related to the marine environment. If Sponsoring Organizations take an interest in any of these issues they can request that these are explored further by a group of GESAMP members. The members will in turn set up a correspondence group to prepare a scoping paper on the issue.
Scoping activities will be presented at the annual sessions of GESAMP and, following comments and discussions, they can either be refined/developed further or become subjects which will be taken on by Working Group(s).
Correspondence Groups
Correspondence Groups are set up to develop scoping papers on proposals made during the annual sessions on new and emerging issues on marine environmental protection issues. The following correspondence groups are currently in session:
Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs)
Lead: David Vousden (South Africa)
Based on a scoping exercise, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has proposed establishing a new GESAMP Working Group dedicated to Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs). The review identified significant gaps in current LME management, which primarily focuses on coastal waters within national jurisdictions. A key finding was the "Connectivity Gap," where the critical ecological links between these coastal areas and the adjacent high seas (Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, or ABNJ) are often ignored. This initiative aims to provide scientific advice to strengthen the global governance of these vital marine regions.
The proposed working group's mission would be to advise the global LME community by surveying past recommendations, aligning the LME approach with international agreements like the CBD and UNCLOS, and defining the characteristics of LMEs that extend into the high seas. It is important to note that the current scoping activity forms the basis for this proposal. This means a working group is being discussed to formally refine and advance the initial scoping findings outlined in the text, ultimately working towards the establishment of the main Working Group on Large Marine Ecosystems.