< Back to News

Opportunities to identity Key Biodiversity Areas in the Southern Ocean through animal tracking data.

Using cutting-edge animal tracking technology, and recently developed methods to analyse data, crucial areas for marine megafauna (seabirds and seals) conservation have been identified in the Southern Ocean. These new sites will form the body of evidence required to start understanding opportunities for identifying Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in the High Seas. Given the newly adopted High Seas Treaty, which will allow for area-based management tools like MPAs in international waters, along with the new Global Biodiversity Framework, which includes commitments to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, the new study presents a critical guide for understanding marine conservation opportunities across the world's oceans.

Read the full story here.

Related News

Improving national spatial planning for the conservation of biodiversity.

A recent study identifies ways of strengthening national spatial planning methods, a critical component of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

The identification of 35 KBAs has led to a major step forward in conservation in Gabon.

A new publication offers a detailed overview of Gabon's 35 KBAs and the 188 rare and threatened species that triggered them. It also uncovers the main results of the Bezos KBA Project, the methodology used, and addresses the next steps to ensure the conservation and monitoring of the sites.

South Africa’s new KBA network is a staggering 263 terrestrial sites with more in the pipeline.

The South African National Biodiversity Institute and BirdLife South Africa reassessed Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in South Africa to align with global standards. This process, which started in 2017, identified 263 terrestrial KBA sites and will continue to include marine sites and updates.