WORKSHOP REPORT – AMSA II(C)/AMSA II(D) BRIDGING WORKSHOP.

Abstract

The aim of the AMSA II(C)/AMSA II(D) bridging workshop was to assist in the scoping of the AMSA II(D) project – Specially Designated Arctic Marine Areas. Based on the report from the AMSA II(C) project, and other relevant reports, the workshop focused on the sensitivity and ecological importance of the high seas areas of the Arctic Ocean, and on impacts from international shipping. The workshop was carried out 12-13 June 2013 in Reykjavik, Iceland. The workshop agenda is included in Annex I and Annex II contains the List of Participants. Figure 2 shows the area of heightened ecological significance in the Central Arctic Ocean LME (From AMSA II C report, their Figure 12), compared to the Arctic Ocean High Seas. This report is not a record of the proceedings, but a summary of key discussion points with direct relevance for the direction of further work by DNV in the AMSA II(D) study. The report outlines the steps to be undertaken in the analysis to accommodate the input from the workshop, to the extent possible under constraints of the project resources and the description of work agreed upon in the Contract. The report focuses on the following key topics; - Sensitivity assessment of the arctic high seas area (section 3) - Shipping activity – current and future projections (section 4) - Statistics on shipping accidents (section 5) - IMO measures (section 6)