ИСТИНА

Saya de Malha Bank, a submerged atoll in the western Indian Ocean was often visited by Russian scientific and fishing expeditions in the 1970-80s which accumulated a considerable material. A review on the biology and ecology of Saya de Malha based on the Russian and other publications, unpublished reports. The information collected up to date indicates certain level of the biota endemism which make it the area of particular ecological and biological importance in need of protection. Bank is one of a few shallow water areas outside the zones of national jurisdiction. Historically habitat damaging practices of fishing and collecting were not uncommon on Saya de Malha and there is no guarantee that antropogenic threats for coral, seagrass and other benthic habitats are no longer actual. Furthermore, the High Seas fishing and the impact of climate change on coral communities bring to the agenda the issues of establishing an international monitoring in the area. While there are still no agreed legal mechanisms for establishing international marine protected areas in the High Sea several options for development, protective management on Saya de Maha are discussed.