Applying MFC knowledge to meet global conservation targets for the deep and high seas

The importance of ecological connectivity is being recognized in most major international fora dealing with biodiversity conservation, such as the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, and the regional environmental management plans for deep-sea mining by the International Seabed Authority. However, this recognition is currently not well-coupled with implementation in the oceans. For example, connectivity metrics included in the monitoring framework of the GBF have not been tested or applied in the ocean and in many instances are not even appropriate for estimating MFC specifically. I will present the current state of the incorporation of MFC in global conservation targets. I will then address some of the gaps and limitations for assessing MFC in the high seas and the deep ocean, particularly given the limited information on species distributions and life histories of deep sea species. I will provide examples of studies on connectivity that have direct implications for the design of networks of marine protected areas in the deep ocean and some of the tools and approaches that are possible to use. I will provide ideas on future directions to address the gap between the science of connectivity and its implementation in the management and conservation of the high seas and the deep ocean.