Marine Wildlife Law

Expert-defined terms from the Advanced Certificate in Wildlife Law course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.

Marine Wildlife Law

Aarhus Convention refers to the United Nations Economic Commission for Eu… #

Related terms include environmental law! Acidification is the process by which the pH level of the ocean decreases, becoming more acidic, which can have detrimental effects on marine life, particularly organisms with calcium carbonate shells, such as corals and shellfish. Adaptive management is an approach to managing marine ecosystems that involves continuous monitoring, learning, and adjustment of management strategies to achieve desired outcomes, taking into account the dynamic nature of these ecosystems. Aerial survey refers to the use of aircraft to conduct surveys of marine wildlife, such as counting individuals or monitoring habitat use, which can provide valuable data for conservation and management efforts. Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels is an international agreement aimed at conserving these seabirds, which are threatened by a range of human activities, including fishing and pollution. Aquaculture is the practice of cultivating marine plants and animals, such as fish and shellfish, in controlled environments, which can help meet the demand for seafood while reducing pressure on wild populations. Aquatic invasive species are non-native species that are introduced to marine ecosystems, often through human activity, and can cause significant harm to native species and ecosystems. Area closure is a management tool used to protect marine habitats and species by closing areas to human activities, such as fishing or shipping, which can help reduce impacts on the environment. Artisanal fishing refers to small-scale, traditional fishing practices, often using simple gear and techniques, which can be more sustainable than large-scale industrial fishing. Ballast water management refers to the practice of managing the water and sediment carried in the ballast tanks of ships, which can help prevent the introduction of invasive species to new ecosystems. Benthic habitat refers to the seafloor environment, including the plants and animals that live on or near the bottom of the ocean, which can provide important ecosystem services. Biodiversity is the variety of different species, ecosystems, and genes that make up the natural world, which is essential for maintaining healthy and resilient marine ecosystems. Biological sampling involves collecting and analyzing samples of marine organisms, such as fish or plankton, to understand their ecology and inform conservation and management efforts. Bycatch refers to the catching of non-target species, such as seabirds or marine mammals, in fishing gear intended for other species, which can be a major threat to vulnerable populations. Capture-recapture analysis is a method used to estimate the size of marine populations, by capturing and marking individuals, then recapturing them to estimate population size and other demographic parameters. Climate change refers to the global phenomenon of rising temperatures and associated changes in weather patterns, which can have significant impacts on marine ecosystems and species. Coastal zone management involves the planning and management of human activities in the coastal zone, including the protection of habitats and species, to achieve sustainable development. Community-based conservation involves working with local communities to develop and implement conservation efforts, which can help build support and ownership for conservation initiatives. Conservation status refers to the level of threat or vulnerability faced by a particular species or ecosystem, which is often used to inform conservation and management efforts. Continental shelf is the shallow area of the ocean floor that extends from the coast to a depth of around 200 meters, which can be an important habitat for a variety of marine species. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is an international agreement that regulates the trade in endangered species, including many marine species. Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources is an international agreement aimed at conserving the marine ecosystems of the Antarctic region, which is home to a unique and diverse range of species. Coral bleaching refers to the process by which corals expel their algal symbionts and turn white, often in response to stress caused by climate change or other factors, which can have significant impacts on coral reef ecosystems. Coral reef is a diverse and complex ecosystem found in tropical and subtropical oceans, which is formed by coral polyps and provides important habitat for many marine species. Critical habitat is the specific habitat required by a species to survive and thrive, which is often protected by conservation efforts to prevent harm to the species. Deep-sea fishing refers to fishing that takes place in the deep sea, often using specialized gear and techniques, which can be a significant threat to vulnerable deep-sea species. Deep-water coral is a type of coral that is found in the deep sea, often in areas with limited light, which can form complex ecosystems and provide important habitat for many species. Ecosystem-based management involves managing marine ecosystems as a whole, rather than focusing on individual species, which can help maintain ecosystem function and promote sustainability. Ecosystem services refer to the benefits that people derive from marine ecosystems, including food, recreation, and coastal protection, which are essential for human well-being. Endangered species are species that are at risk of extinction due to a range of threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing, which are often protected by conservation efforts. Environmental impact assessment involves assessing the potential impacts of human activities on the environment, which can help identify and mitigate harm to marine ecosystems and species. Exclusive economic zone refers to the area of the ocean where a country has special rights to exploit natural resources, which can be an important area for fishing and other human activities. Fisheries management involves the regulation of fishing activities to promote sustainable fishing practices and prevent overfishing, which can help maintain healthy marine ecosystems. Fishery refers to the industry or activity of catching fish or other seafood, which can be an important source of food and income for many people, but can also have significant impacts on marine ecosystems. Food web refers to the complex network of relationships between species that eat and are eaten by other species, which is an important aspect of marine ecosystem function and ecology. Global Ocean Observing System is a network of ocean observing systems that provide data and information on the state of the ocean, which can help inform conservation and management efforts. Habitat destruction refers to the loss or degradation of habitats due to human activities, such as coastal development or fishing, which can have significant impacts on marine species and ecosystems. Habitat fragmentation refers to the process by which habitats are broken up into smaller patches, often due to human activities, which can make it difficult for species to move and interact with their environment. High-seas refers to the open ocean, outside of national jurisdiction, which can be a challenging area to manage and regulate due to its remote and international nature. Invasive species are non-native species that are introduced to marine ecosystems, often through human activity, and can cause significant harm to native species and ecosystems. Large marine ecosystem refers to a large area of the ocean that is characterized by a unique set of ecological characteristics, such as ocean currents and productivity, which can be an important unit of management. Marine biodiversity hotspot is an area of the ocean that is characterized by high levels of biodiversity, often due to unique geological or oceanographic features, which can be an important area for conservation efforts. Marine debris refers to the waste and pollution that enters the ocean, often through human activities, which can have significant impacts on marine species and ecosystems. Marine ecosystem service refers to the benefits that people derive from marine ecosystems, including food, recreation, and coastal protection, which are essential for human well-being. Marine mammal is a mammal that lives in the ocean, such as whales, dolphins, and seals, which are often protected by conservation efforts due to their charismatic nature and importance in marine ecosystems. Marine protected area is an area of the ocean that is protected from human activities, such as fishing or shipping, which can help conserve marine ecosystems and species. Marine spatial planning involves the planning and management of human activities in the ocean, such as fishing, shipping, and coastal development, which can help reduce conflicts and promote sustainable development. Marine stewardship council is an independent organization that certifies sustainable fishing practices and promotes responsible fishing and seafood sourcing. Maximum sustainable yield refers to the maximum amount of a species that can be caught or harvested without causing harm to the population or the ecosystem, which is often used as a goal for fisheries management. Migration refers to the movement of marine species from one area to another, often in response to changes in food availability or environmental conditions, which can be an important aspect of marine ecosystem function. Mitigation refers to the actions taken to reduce or prevent harm to marine ecosystems and species, such as reducing bycatch or protecting habitats, which can help promote sustainability. Monitoring refers to the ongoing collection and analysis of data on marine ecosystems and species, which can help inform conservation and management efforts and track progress towards goals. National marine sanctuary is a protected area of the ocean that is designated and managed by a national government, which can provide a safe haven for marine species and ecosystems. Network of marine protected areas refers to a group of marine protected areas that are connected and managed together, which can help promote biodiversity and ecosystem function. Noise pollution refers to the noise generated by human activities, such as shipping or seismic surveys, which can have significant impacts on marine species and ecosystems. Ocean acidification refers to the process by which the pH level of the ocean decreases, becoming more acidic, which can have detrimental effects on marine life, particularly organisms with calcium carbonate shells. Ocean governance refers to the system of rules, regulations, and institutions that manage human activities in the ocean, which can help promote sustainable development and conservation. Ocean zoning refers to the division of the ocean into different areas or zones, each with its own set of rules and regulations, which can help reduce conflicts and promote sustainable development. Overfishing refers to the catching of too many fish or other seafood, which can cause declines in populations and harm to marine ecosystems. Pelagic habitat refers to the open ocean, away from the coast and seafloor, which can be an important habitat for many marine species, including fish and seabirds. Pollution refers to the waste and contaminants that enter the ocean, often through human activities, which can have significant impacts on marine species and ecosystems. Population dynamics refers to the study of the changes in marine populations over time, including factors such as birth and death rates, migration, and growth. Precautionary principle refers to the approach of taking action to prevent harm to marine ecosystems and species, even if there is uncertainty about the potential impacts. Recreational fishing refers to fishing for fun or personal use, rather than for commercial purposes, which can be an important aspect of marine tourism and recreation. Remote operating vehicle is a type of underwater vehicle that is controlled remotely, often used for research and exploration of the ocean. Responsible fishing practices refer to fishing practices that minimize harm to marine ecosystems and species, and promote sustainable fishing and seafood sourcing. Sea level rise refers to the increase in sea level due to climate change, which can have significant impacts on coastal ecosystems and communities. Seabed mining refers to the extraction of minerals and other resources from the seafloor, which can have significant impacts on marine ecosystems and species. Seagrass bed is a type of habitat found in shallow, coastal waters, characterized by the presence of seagrass, a type of underwater grass, which can provide important habitat for many marine species. Shark finning refers to the practice of removing the fins from sharks and discarding the rest of the body, which can be a major threat to shark populations and marine ecosystems. Ship strike refers to the collision between a ship and a marine animal, such as a whale or seabird, which can be a significant threat to vulnerable populations. Species distribution modeling involves the use of models to predict the distribution and abundance of marine species, which can help inform conservation and management efforts. Sustainable fishing refers to fishing practices that promote the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems and species, and minimize harm to the environment. Sustainable livelihoods refers to the ability of people to make a living in a way that is sustainable and does not harm the environment, which is an important aspect of marine conservation and management. Trawl survey refers to the use of trawl nets to survey marine ecosystems and species, which can provide valuable data on abundance and distribution. Treaty refers to a formal agreement between countries or organizations, which can be used to promote international cooperation and conservation of marine ecosystems and species. Trophic level refers to the position of a species in the food chain, with primary producers at the base and top predators at the top, which can be an important aspect of marine ecosystem function. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is an international agreement that provides a framework for the use of the ocean and its resources, which can help promote sustainable development and conservation. Vessel monitoring system is a type of technology used to track the location and movements of fishing vessels, which can help enforce regulations and prevent illegal fishing. Water quality refers to the chemical and physical characteristics of the water, which can have significant impacts on marine ecosystems and species. Wetland is a type of habitat found in coastal areas, characterized by the presence of water and a mix of terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals, which can provide important habitat for many marine species. Wildlife trade refers to the trade in wild animals and plants, which can be a significant threat to marine species and ecosystems, particularly if it is not sustainable or regulated. Zoning refers to the division of the ocean into different areas or zones, each with its own set of rules and regulations, which can help reduce conflicts and promote sustainable development.

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