Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) are regions of ocean space encompassing coastal areas from river basins and estuaries to the seaward boundary of continental shelves and the seaward margins of coastal current systems. Fifty of them have been identified. They are relatively large regions (200 000 km2 or more) characterized by distinct bathymetry, hydrography, productivity and trophically dependent populations.

The LME approach uses five modules:

1. productivity module considers the oceanic variability and its effect on the production of phyto and zooplankton

2. fish and fishery module concerned with the sustainability of individual species and the maintenance of biodiversity

3. pollution and ecosystem health module examines health indices, eutrophication, biotoxins, pathology and emerging diseases

4. socio-economic module integrates assessments of human forcing and the long-term sustainability and associated socio-economic benefits of various management measures, and

5. governance module involves adaptive management and stakeholder participation.” Source: http://www.fao.org/fishery/topic/3440/en

Reference:

Sherman, K. and Hempel, G. (Editors) 2009. The UNEP Large Marine Ecosystem Report: A perspective on changing conditions in LMEs of the world’s Regional Seas. UNEP Regional Seas Report and Studies No. 182. United Nations Environment Programme. Nairobi, Kenya.

Data available from: http://lme.edc.uri.edu/ - LMEs of the world

Updated shape file - 2014