How are EBSA criteria used?
EBSA criteria are used to identify ecologically or biologically significant areas in need of protection. Any area which meets one or more of these scientific criteria can be defined as an EBSA. The GOBI Multi-Criteria Task Group is currently working on a background document to inform the development of guidance on this issue. Some considerations for the application of the scientific criteria were provided by the Expert Workshop on Ecological Criteria and Biogeographic Classification Systems for Marine Areas in Need of Protection which took place on the Azores in 2007. Progress on the identification of areas beyond national jurisdiction meeting the EBSA criteria was also reviewed at the Expert Workshop on Ecological Criteria and Biogeographic Classification Systems for Marine Areas in Need of Protection which took place in Ottawa, Canada, in 2009. For more information, see: www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/mar/ewsebm-01/official/ewsebm-01-01-en.pdf (Azores Workshop Report) and www.cbd.int/doc/m
