Protecting Europe's seamounts
A large number of Europeans derive their livelihood from the sea. It is therefore imperative that steps be taken to protect Europe's sea resources. The World Wildlife Fund has been active in this area by promoting the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The North-East Atlantic Marine Ecoregion (NEAME) of the WWF is pursuing the protection of seamounts, special mountainous regions below the sea surface where biodiversity flourishes as plankton, fish and other sea life congregate. NEAME participated in a study of Sedlo, a relatively pristine seamount located north of the Azores. Working together with local authorities and universities, NEAME and its partners in the OASIS project helped define the Sedlo Seamount MPA. The area includes the seamount itself as well as a buffer zone surrounding the seamount where trawling and netting activities are banned. Sedlo will continue to be monitored by a team of scientists in order to gauge the impact of the MPA as well as the other management measures implemented. The data gathered will be disseminated to stakeholders to ensure continuing support for the MPA status. To this end, NEAME has published a draft ecosystem management plan for Sedlo that addresses the critical policy, scientific and other issues. It is hoped that other seamounts will be designated as MPAs in the near future if the Sedlo experiment proves successful.
