European Ocean Biodiversity Information System

ICES VME Database - A central portal (http://vme.ices.dk) for data on the distribution and abundance of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs), (and organisms considered to be indicators of VMEs) across the North Atlantic has been set up by the Joint ICES/NAFO Working Group on Deep-water Ecology (WGDEC). Criteria used to select habitats and indicators for inclusion in the database were those described in the FAO International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-sea Fisheries in the High Seas (FAO, 2009). The VME database may be used for many purposes; ICES will use it when providing scientifically -robust advice on the distribution of VMEs and recommending possible management solutions such as bottom fishing closures within NEAFC (North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission) waters to protect VMEs.