Glossary

Below are commonly used terms and acronyms, with a brief description.

ABNJ: Areas beyond national jurisdiction—Waters outside of Exclusive Economic Zones (generally beyond 200 nautical miles from shore) that are not managed by a specific nation. Similar to ‘high seas’ but includes both the water column and sea floor.

BBNJ: Biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction

CBD: Convention on Biological Diversity—Develops conservation targets (e.g., the Aichi Targets), including targets for the percentage of coastal and marine area to be effectively conserved.

CMS: Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals

Corridor: The general path taken by a migratory species as it moves between areas of particular use (such as feeding, breeding, wintering, etc.).

EBSA: Ecologically or biologically significant marine area—A specific area in the ocean that support the ocean’s overall healthy function in some regard and contributes to the ocean’s many benefits to life itself.

EEZ: Exclusive economic zone—Waters controlled by a specific nation, typically those within roughly 200 nautical miles of land.

High seas: The water column (not the seabed) outside of Exclusive Economic Zones.

IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature

ISA: International Seabed Authority—Organization that governs deep-sea mining in ABNJ.

MGEL: Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab (at Duke University)

MPA: Marine protected area

Node: An area of particular use by a species, for activities such as feeding, breeding, wintering, etc.

UNESCO: United Nations Education Science and Culture Organization—Includes the World Heritage Convention, which identifies and designates World Heritage Sites.