Workshop on the Development of a REMP for the Area of the Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge with a Focus on Polymetallic Sulphides Deposits
23 Nov 2020 - 4 Dec 2020
Virtual Meeting
Terms of Reference | Call for Nominations and Information | Provisional Agenda | Annotations to Provisional Agenda | Background Documents | Participants | Information Note | Videos | Report
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) will convene a workshop on the development of a Regional Environmental Management Plan (REMP) for the Area of the Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) with a focus on polymetallic sulphides (PMS) deposits, from 23 November to 4 December 2020 (week days only), via an online meeting platform.
The workshop was originally scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, in June 2020. However, due to the implications associated with the pandemic of COVID-19, the decision has been made to postpone it. The workshop will be held in collaboration with the Atlantic REMP Project co-funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation and the All-Russia Scientific Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the Ocean (VNIIOkeangeologia).
The workshop aims to:
- Describe the geographical scope and environmental goals and objectives for the draft REMP,
- Identify possible elements to be included in the draft REMP for the Area of the northern MAR with a focus on PMS deposits,
- Identify potential management approaches and measures, with a focus on PMS deposits, that can be considered in the development of a REMP, including spatial and non-spatial measures as well as approaches for addressing cumulative impacts at the regional level, and
- Discuss the framework for implementation, including priority actions for addressing the knowledge gaps, monitoring and review of the implementation of the REMP, collaboration and capacity development.
The report of this workshop will be presented to the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) in its future meeting for their consideration in developing the REMP for the Area of the Northern MAR. This workshop builds on the results of previous REMP workshops, in particular the Évora Workshop, which reviewed and synthesized scientific data and information, and identified key scientific approaches that underline the REMP for the Area of the northern MAR. A copy of the Évora workshop report can be accessed here.
Due to time differences in participants’ locations, it is envisaged that each meeting day will not exceed four hours. A detailed workshop programme and other information will be available on the workshop webpage in due course, including an information note for participants on online meeting logistics
The nomination process has been completed and the selection of experts by the ISA Secretariat, in collaboration with the co-chairs and co-organizers, will be undertaken in accordance with the selection criteria, outlined in the initial workshop announcement, taking into account a balanced geographical representation and gender balance. The results of the selection of the experts will be available on the ISA website by 31 August 2020.
For enquiries, please contact:
Wanfei Qiu, Programme Manager (Marine Environment), Office of Environmental Management and Mineral Resources, International Seabed Authority (wqiu@isa.org.jm)
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Regional Environmental Assessment of northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge