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Programme: BEST 2.0

An ecological assessment of Ascension Island’s shallow-water seamounts

Written by Erwin on .

Duration: Ascension Island’s shallow-water seamounts were the subject of research aimed at advocating for their inclusion in a planned expansive pelagic Marine Protected Area (MPA). Employing novel telemetry and underwater video techniques, the project conducted the initial comprehensive ecological studies on these seamounts. It assessed their significance as aggregation areas for pelagic megafauna and determined the necessary reserve sizes to shield these species from the impacts of commercial fishing. The UK Government’s plan to establish the Ascension Island Ocean Sanctuary (ASIOS) by 2019 encompassed at least 50% of the Territory’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), highlighting the requirement for scientific support in its creation and management. The project characterised the spatial behaviours of seamount-associated sharks, tuna, and billfish, informing the designation of seamount MPAs for future integration into a larger MPA network. Collaboration with entities like National Geographic and universities facilitated skill development among local staff. The project’s ecological surveys presented a compelling scientific rationale for seamount protection within marine reserves to policymakers, adhering closely to its outlined timeline and objectives without significant setbacks, benefiting from a well-designed approach.

Duration: 21 months

Nurseries for nature: increasing capability at St Helena’s endemic nurseries

Written by Erwin on .

Description: The St Helena project sought to strengthen the island’s conservation nurseries, focusing on six Critically Endangered species by expanding facilities and fostering collaborations among nursery teams. It addressed the challenge of limited native plant production for habitat restoration by enhancing propagation skills and upgrading nursery infrastructure. This initiative aimed to establish a production cycle for endangered species, facilitate knowledge exchange among South Atlantic plant producers, and raise local awareness about endemic species and conservation efforts. It significantly increased nursery capacity and expertise, introducing specialised equipment for sterile propagation, resulting in improved conditions for plant growth, disease control, and resilience, yielding more numerous and robust plants. This step proved crucial for establishing genetically diverse and resilient native plant restoration areas. Despite challenges like procurement delays due to the island’s remoteness, strong participation from partners and stakeholders contributed to the project’s success, ensuring a tangible legacy of enhanced facilities and increased plant resilience in St Helena’s conservation efforts.

Duration: 12 months

Forest Restoration and Improved Biosecurity on Nightingale Island

Written by Erwin on .

Description: The project aimed to safeguard the Wilkin’s bunting by restoring its Phylica woodland habitat on Nightingale Island and implementing a biosecurity protocol to prevent the arrival of invasive species. Key objectives included assessing the bird’s population, mapping its territory, and planting Phylica trees for habitat restoration. The initiative also focused on developing visitor biosecurity and monitoring protocols, aiming to prevent non-native species’ introduction by human traffic between islands. This effort enhanced knowledge about threatened finch, expanded woodland areas, and fortified biosecurity measures. Results included mapping 187 bunting territories and conducting over 1,200 bird resightings. Habitat restoration involved planting 200 Phylica trees over 0.5 hectares, with an 80% survival rate after one year. Additionally, protocols for monitoring fungal infections, introduced insects and weed spread were successfully implemented, contributing to preserving the Wilkin’s bunting habitat and strengthening staff expertise.

Duration: 24 months

Restoration of Peak Dale’s St Helena gumwood forest

Written by Erwin on .

Description: The project aimed to preserve Saint Helena’s critical gumwood forest at Peak Dale through tailored restoration techniques. Baseline surveys and mapping identified native planting zones and guided invasive species control and gumwood tree planting. Collaborating with stakeholders designed a comprehensive management plan. Actions encompassed boosting local expertise, coordinating volunteers, and creating a management blueprint. Surveys indicated stability in the gumwood population, with 3,465 hours of restoration work utilising enhanced resources. Invasive species spread decreased across 1,615m2 through specific protocols. Planting efforts included 1,700 gumwood trees, while 150m2 was made rabbit-proof and regularly baited. Community involvement saw 346 volunteer hours dedicated to restoration. The project significantly strengthened forest restoration capacity, curbed invasive species spread, and established sustainable management strategies for Saint Helena’s unique gumwood ecosystem at Peak Dale.

Duration: 22 months

Developing a site-based conservation approach for Sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) at Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands

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Description: The Sei whale conservation initiative aimed to deepen comprehension and safeguard Balaenoptera borealis by addressing key knowledge gaps. Situated in Berkley Sound, the project conducted visual and aerial surveys to document whale distribution and abundance. Through this, it produced comprehensive maps. Educational resources were designed to elevate public awareness regarding the whales’ socio-economic significance in the Falklands while offering guidance for maritime users, particularly whale-watching operators. Scientific reports detailed human-induced impacts on Sei whales, accompanied by a Code of Conduct designed to mitigate these effects, collaboratively shared with the Falkland Islands Government’s Environmental Planning Department and local stakeholders. The project significantly expanded local capacity by training 38 individuals in various survey, identification, and monitoring techniques. Its outcomes provided crucial tools for informed decision-making and future conservation strategies.

Duration: 13.5 months

SEECTOR – Significant Ecological Areas for Pelagic Species and Conservation Challenge in the Southern Indian Ocean

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Description: The SEECTOR project was designed to enhance comprehension and conservation efforts of Southern Ocean pelagic ecosystems amidst projected climate shifts. Employing acoustic measurements, zooplankton sampling, and animal tagging, it delineated critical habitats and predator interactions within the South Indian Ocean, refining hotspot zoning to prevent conflicts with other activities. These findings facilitated the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Crozet and Kerguelen Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and international waters while proposing strategies to mitigate anthropogenic and climate-induced pressures. This initiative addressed gaps in understanding regarding the pelagic habitats of mid-trophic organisms and their trophic interactions with top predators, particularly pertinent in the face of climate change. Achievements encompassed the delineation of pelagic MPAs, the proposal of hotspots, and the mitigation of environmental pressures, concurrently fostering a strengthened partnership with the Natural Reserve and the establishment of a centre of excellence for open ocean ecological research. Ultimately, SEECTOR significantly advanced insights into the dynamics of pelagic ecosystems, a critical departure from the more static coastal areas.

Duration: 16 months

ITAGED – Conservation of threatened top marine predators of the French Southern Territories: Identifying Threats And Getting Essential Data

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Description: The project, dedicated to the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF), extensively studied 4 endangered seabird species at Amsterdam and Saint Paul Islands. It involved thorough investigations to delineate crucial marine habitats and their interaction with fisheries, creating predictive models for shifts in foraging locations amid diverse climate scenarios. Comprehensive analyses of tracking data during pivotal biological stages were conducted, aiding in the identification of marine Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (mIBAs) essential for conservation efforts. This collaborative venture between CEBC and BirdLife strengthened innovative methodologies and enhanced staff capabilities. Findings revealed that significant foraging zones extended beyond the former reserve, warranting extension to the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Notably, these zones exhibited substantial overlap, ranging from 5 to 50%, with deep-sea line fishing. While published maps and analyses were available, the development of a predictive model for diverse climate scenarios remained ongoing. The project significantly contributed valuable insights for informed marine conservation and management strategies in the region.

Duration: 12 months

Sustainable fishing in the Arctic: Can the harvest of Greenland’s biggest export be compatible with the conservation of benthic ecosystems?

Written by Erwin on .

Description: The project was dedicated to assessing the influence of climate change and trawling activities on West Greenland’s seabed to promote sustainable marine resource management. Employing photographic surveys, it systematically documented the structure, function, and changes in benthic communities over 40 years, elucidating the impacts of over three decades of trawling and climate alterations on the continental shelf. Predictive modelling was employed to project future changes and potential recovery scenarios of affected benthic ecosystems within the prevailing impact regime. These findings, openly accessible, informed the formulation and evaluation of comprehensive management strategies for the sustainable utilisation of marine fishermen, industry stakeholders, and the public, emphasising the conservation significance of Greenland’s benthic habitats. Collaborative efforts with academic institutions and research bodies facilitated the creation of educational materials and innovative survey techniques, contributing substantially to the establishment of new protected areas in Melville Bay and advancing the project’s overarching goals.

Duration: 24 months

Determining the feeding areas used by the community of seabirds breeding on the island of Grand Columbier

Written by Erwin on .

Description: The project aimed to advance understanding of the marine territories utilised by breeding seabirds on Grand Columbier for informed conservation strategies. Tracking adult Atlantic Puffins via miniaturised GPS devices elucidated critical marine areas during their breeding seasons, facilitating precise mapping of their feeding zones. These data-informed potential management measures were crucial for sustaining adequate food supplies vital to the breeding success of seabirds on Grand Columbier. This initiative significantly contributed to ongoing conservation efforts in St Pierre and Miquelon, backed by governmental support. Noteworthy achievements included identifying key marine territories used by seabirds, particularly Leach’s storm petrels and Atlantic Puffins, through the deployment of GPS trackers and subsequent data analysis. This process allowed the delineation of specific food-searching routes and foraging areas. Moreover, the project strengthened local expertise in fieldwork techniques, bird handling, and biometric measurements. Collaboration with relevant authorities and stakeholders effectively raised the investigation of Leach’s storm petrel colonies, marking a significant milestone in local research efforts.

Duration: 15 months

CORCOPA – Optimising Conservation of Europa’s Coral Reefs by Eco-Acoustics

Written by Erwin on .

Description: The project focused on enhancing TAAF’s coral ecosystem management in the Scattered Islands by implementing an innovative eco-acoustic monitoring system designed specifically for Europa’s isolated and evolving ecosystems. This pioneering tool passively recorded coral reef soundscapes alongside visual assessments to assess their condition. An autonomous underwater station was installed for continuous monitoring, aiding in Europa Island’s management strategies. Positioned within the Indian Ocean’s biodiversity hub, Europa’s relatively untouched reefs held global heritage significance and potential for restoring nearby impacted reefs. The initiative established links between acoustic indicators and ecosystem functions, contributed to the Europa RAMSAR management plan, and facilitated effective communication and result dissemination. The recorded data strengthened TAAF’s adaptability to biological rhythms and disturbances, essential for proactive management measures. The CORCOPA project successfully equipped TAAF with a robust monitoring tool, securing the future of Europa’s reefs. It underscored the efficacy of acoustic monitoring, particularly in remote locations like Europa Island, showcasing its potential in monitoring coral ecosystems.

Duration: 16 months

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