In the North Atlantic, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is central to the flow of energy and elements through the ocean. However, significant gaps in our understanding of the links between large-scale oceanographic processes and living marine resources hinder the development of predictive models to account for changes in ocean conditions due to climate change and increased human activity.

The ATLAS project (www.eu-atlas.org) is exploiting the vast in situ time series dataset provided by international oceanographic arrays to understand how climate and oceanic variability interact with human pressures to control ecosystem functioning, biodiversity, connectivity and goods and services. Twelve case studies located across the Atlantic are examining specific scenarios of ‘Blue Growth’ development to inform marine spatial planning approaches. An integral part of this work is to consider implications change on sensitive deep-water ecosystems that have been identified as significant and/or vulnerable and thus worthy of protection. The focus is on waters 200-2000m deep and on the implications of change for Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs), Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) and High Seas Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

This one-day symposium on 12 May 2018 is aimed at scientists, practitioners, policy makers and representatives of civil society with expertise and interest in the future of these area-based management tools (ABMTs) in the North Atlantic, and will take place immediately before the 4th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity. Presentations will highlight emerging results from ATLAS, and the status of ABMTs informed by predicted shifts in ecosystem dynamics will be reviewed. Discussions will highlight opportunities and processes for adaptive management and recommend future priorities and directions.

Registration for this event is free; lunch and refreshments are provided.

Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information and to register please contact Dr Vikki Gunn (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Registration deadline 30 April 2018.