Two marine areas in Chubut recognized as priority zones for shark and ray conservation – Noticias Ambientales

Report on the Designation of Priority Marine Conservation Areas in Patagonia

Introduction: Advancing SDG 14 through International Recognition

Two key marine ecosystems in the Patagonian sea, Bahía Engaño and the northern Gulf of San Jorge, have received international designation as Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs). This recognition by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) highlights their critical role in marine biodiversity and directly supports the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). The designation identifies these zones as essential for the survival of chondrichthyans, a group that includes sharks, rays, and ratfish, thereby contributing to global efforts to conserve and sustainably use marine resources.

The ISRA Initiative and Its Contribution to Global Goals

The designation is a component of a global project aimed at mapping the essential habitats of chondrichthyan fish. This scientific undertaking aligns with SDG 14.a, which calls for increasing scientific knowledge and research capacity to improve ocean health. The recent focus on the Atlantic coast of South America addresses a region of high ecological value that has been underrepresented in global marine conservation mapping.

• Ecological Function: ISRAs are defined as areas fulfilling key life-cycle functions such as reproduction, feeding, or egg-laying sites.
• Conservation Target: The identification of these areas is a crucial step toward achieving SDG 14.5, which aims to conserve at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas.

Detailed Analysis of Designated Zones

Bahía Engaño: A Multi-Species Reproductive Hub

Bahía Engaño, situated near Rawson, functions as a multi-species breeding area, a rare characteristic on a global scale. This “natural maternity ward” is vital for the propagation of numerous species, making its protection essential for maintaining regional marine biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, in line with SDG 14.2 (sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems).

• Simultaneous Reproduction: The area supports the simultaneous reproduction of multiple species.
• Resident Species Include:
  1. Smooth-hound shark
  2. School shark
  3. Ratfish
  4. Thornback ray
  5. Marbled ray
• Reproductive Diversity: The zone accommodates both oviparous (egg-laying) and viviparous (live-birthing) species.

Northern Gulf of San Jorge: A Mosaic of Underwater Biodiversity

The northern Gulf of San Jorge has also been designated an ISRA due to its high biological richness and its function as a reproductive habitat. The area supports a significant number of chondrichthyan species, including some for which biological data is limited, underscoring the need for continued scientific research as promoted by SDG 14.a.

• Species Richness: At least four shark species, five ray species, and ratfish utilize the area for reproduction.
• Key Species: The area is a known egg-laying site for the roughskin skate (Dipturus trachyderma) and a nursery for juveniles of the snubnose ray.

Implications for Sustainable Development and Governance

The IUCN designation carries significant ecological, political, and economic weight. It mandates a re-evaluation of human activities to mitigate their impact on these sensitive ecosystems, directly addressing targets within SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14.

• Fisheries Management: Industrial fishing practices must be adjusted to reduce their impact, aligning with SDG 14.4, which seeks to end overfishing and destructive fishing practices.
• Transboundary Conservation Challenges: The conservation of migratory species like the school shark, which travels between Brazil and Patagonia, presents complex governance challenges. This highlights the importance of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) to foster cross-jurisdictional and international cooperation for effective conservation.

Conclusion: Strengthening Global Marine Conservation Efforts

The Patagonian region is home to more than 28 recorded chondrichthyan species, many with a concerning conservation status. The formal recognition of Bahía Engaño and the Gulf of San Jorge as ISRAs integrates Argentinian Patagonia into the global strategy for marine biodiversity protection. Protecting these unique multi-species breeding grounds represents a significant contribution to achieving the targets of SDG 14, ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of vital marine ecosystems.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• The article’s central theme is the conservation of marine life, specifically focusing on sharks, rays, and their habitats in the Patagonian sea. It discusses the importance of protecting “key ecosystems for marine biodiversity” and the international recognition of two regions, Bahía Engaño and the northern Gulf of San Jorge, as priority areas for conservation. This directly aligns with the goal of conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article highlights the role of international cooperation in achieving conservation goals. The designation of the areas was made by the “International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)” as part of a “global project.” It also mentions the “governance challenges between different jurisdictions and countries,” which underscores the need for strong partnerships to protect migratory species and manage shared ecosystems, a core principle of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

1. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
   • The article directly addresses this by describing the designation of Bahía Engaño and the Gulf of San Jorge as Important Areas for Chondrichthyans (ISRA). These are identified as “key ecosystems” that fulfill “key ecological functions such as reproduction, feeding, or egg-laying,” and the goal is to protect these “true biological treasures.”
2. Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics.
   • This target is implied when the article states that the international designation means “human activities, especially industrial fishing, must be adjusted to reduce their impact on these sensitive areas.” This points to the need for regulating harvesting to ensure the survival of vulnerable species like sharks and rays.
3. Target 14.5: By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information.
   • The selection of “Bahía Engaño and the northern Gulf of San Jorge as priority areas for marine conservation” is a direct action contributing to this target. The article notes this designation “positions Argentinian Patagonia on the global map of strategies for marine biodiversity.”
4. Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries.
   • The article describes the initiative as part of a “global project that seeks to map the essential habitats of chondrichthyan fish.” It also highlights the work of a “researcher at UNPSJB and CONICET” and mentions that for some species, there is “limited knowledge about their biology,” indicating a push to increase scientific understanding.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.
   • The entire initiative is an example of a global partnership. The recognition comes from the “International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),” an international body, working to identify key conservation areas worldwide. This collaboration brings global expertise to a specific region in Argentina.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 14 Targets

• Indicator for Target 14.2 & 14.5: The designation of two specific regions, Bahía Engaño and the northern Gulf of San Jorge, as Important Areas for Chondrichthyans (ISRA). The number and total area of such designated zones serve as a direct measure of progress in protecting marine ecosystems and conserving marine areas.
• Indicator for Target 14.2: The identification of the areas as “multi-species breeding areas.” The article notes that at least “four shark species, five ray species, and ratfish” use the Gulf of San Jorge as a reproductive habitat. The continued presence and reproductive success of these species would be a key indicator of ecosystem health.
• Indicator for Target 14.4: The implementation of adjusted fishing regulations. The article implies this by stating that “industrial fishing, must be adjusted.” An indicator of progress would be the development and enforcement of new management plans for fishing in these zones.
• Indicator for Target 14.a: The progress of the “global project that seeks to map the essential habitats of chondrichthyan fish.” The completion of the mapping for the Atlantic coast of South America is a measurable outcome. The involvement of researchers from institutions like UNPSJB and CONICET also indicates an increase in local research capacity.

Indicators for SDG 17 Targets

• Indicator for Target 17.16: The formal partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The official designation of the ISRAs is a concrete outcome of this international collaboration. The article also mentions the challenge of conserving migratory species, which requires governance “between different jurisdictions and countries,” making cross-border agreements another potential indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: noticiasambientales.com