The Falkland Islands

Falkland Islands GovernmentPolicy and Economic Development DirectorateFebruary 2018

The Marine Falkland Islands The Falkland Islands Marine EEZ comprises of 453,

897 km2 area of water.

Strong maritime history and ties to the sea

35-48% of our economy is based on fishing

We take pride in our collaborative approach to protecting our ocean environment

Shallow Marine Environments

• Environments that have been subject to very little research considering their productivity.

• Unimpacted, undisturbed natural environments – natural laboratories

Offshore Marine Environments

• A large successful fishery that is still relatively young

• The benthic ecosystem of this environment is understudied

• Unique, complex oceanography

• Largest black browed albatross colonies in the world

• Significant and globally important seabird population

• Significant populations of cetaceans (marine mammals) and pennipeds(seals, sea lions)

Terrestrial Environment

Ocean Policy Research and data-informed Collaborative approach across Government,

private sector and not-for-profit organisations South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute

(SAERI) Falklands Conservation

Focused on:• Balancing multiple uses including fisheries and tourism• Sustainable, world-class fisheries management• Understanding and protecting biodiversity

• Ratification and implementation of international obligations and multi-lateral environmental agreements

Ocean Stewardship

Marine Spatial Planning A Marine Spatial Plan for the Falkland Islands was developed in

conjunction with SAERI and FIG, funded by Darwin-Plus (UK Government)

Contributed to research and produced useful policy tools

Provided an overview for areas important to: Native and migratory animals Fishing Tourism Ports and harbours Social uses

Cargo ships Oil tankers Cruise ships

Developed and maintained by SAERI for data collected on the Falkland Islands and other South Atlantic OTs

IMS-GIS Data Centre

Fisheries The introduction of a system of ITQs (Individual Transferable

Quotas) fishing licensing in our major fisheries has led to more national participation and strong fisheries management

Spatial management of fishery zones enables the closing of areas for reasons such as spawning, overfishing and environmental protection.

Fishery data received daily from vessels and from a dedicated group of observers deployed in all fleets.

MSC certification for Longline

Toothfish fishery

Ocean Research

Collaboration with Industry, Government, NGOs and local and international research bodies

8% of FIG budget spent on research and protection

FIG Fisheries Department also undertakes research in-house

Recent collaborative research includes: vulnerable marine ecosystems and fish biology

South Atlantic Research Institute (SAERI)

• Fulfills need for an umbrella organisation to produce and coordinate environmental science within the South Atlantic

• Falkland Islands was recognised as the ideal place to establish such an institution:

o Well connected geographically with established logistics hub for operating in wider South Atlantic and the Antarctic

o No other co-ordinating mechanism to give scientists to access environments in the South Atlantic

• Established 2012 as a Department of Falkland Islands Government

• Start-up funding support also received from Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the UK Government

Independent,registered UK charity since 2017

South Atlantic Research Institute (SAERI)

Understanding basic ecology

Identification of biodiversity

Locally threatened species

Endemics species

Ecosystem functioning

Environmental threatsIdentification of existing and potential disturbances

Determining ecological impact

Determining past and future impacts of climate change

Management of environmental resources

Direct and indirect impacts on organisms and ecosystems

Sustainable economic development

Assessing monitoring needs

Ocean Research @ SAERIGAP project: • Addresses priority gaps in

understanding ecosystem functioning to assist in regulating development of the Falkland Islands Offshore Hydrocarbon Industry

• Focus on:

• Marine higher predators (including penguins, seals, whales and other large marine mammals and birds)

• Environment of the seafloor in the direct vicinity of oil exploration, the oceanography of this area and potential interactions with fisheries

20+ Other Projects, including: • Natural Capital Assessment• Dolphins of the Kelp• Seaweed Biodiversity • Inshore Fisheries

EU-BEST Hub for the Atlantic and Caribbean

Ocean Protection Policy feeds into environmental protection which drives our

research goals.

Regulate and monitor fishing activities within the EEZ through licencing and through physical presence with help of fisheries patrol vessel FPV Protegat, Patrol flights, HMS Clyde

Regulate deposition of any materials into the sea through the UK’s Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985 adopted by the Falkland Islands

Falkland Islands are a signatory to MARPOL and adhere to it.

Local efforts to reduce visible signs of marine pollution:

Trawlers asked to return trawled up rubbish to shore.

Regular beach clean-up

Climate Change The geography of the Islands offers a natural marine

‘laboratory’ to investigate latitudinal effects of climate change on shallow marine species

Falkland Islands have accepted the extension of the UK-ratified Kyoto and Kyoto 2 Protocols Work underway towards understanding effects of climate change

effects and reducing carbon footprint

Adoption of a Sustainable Energy Strategy to Reduce demand of non-renewable energy sources

Increase energy efficiency

Find sustainable, renewable and low carbon alternatives

40% of electricity generated through wind power

Thank you! Any questions?