Scales of Engagement Philip Dearden Marine Protected Areas Group University of Victoria

Marine Protected Areas Research Group MPARG focuses on all aspects of the establishment and management of marine protected areas within the context of integrated coastal management. We believe that interaction amongst committed individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives provides an enriched environment for advancing knowledge regarding MPAs. The group undertakes research on all aspects of MPAs, ranging from institutional assessments and social surveys through to basic biogeographical studies on marine and coastal ecosystems.

People Phil Dearden, Geography, UVic (Leader) –Zoning, recreational use, policy, corals, sharks, SE Asia. Rosaline Canessa, Geography, UVic –GIS, spatial patterns, MPA effectiveness, Caribbean Ian Walker, Geography, UVic –Coastal geomorphology, climate change Cliff Robinson, Adjunct, Geography, UVic –Marine biodiversity, monitoring, sea grass, NMCAs Glen Jamieson, Adjunct, Geography, UVic –Marine biology, DFO MPAs, marine classification, EBM Mark Zacharias, Adjunct Geography, UVic –Ecological classification, focal species, terrestrial-marine interface Rick Rollins, Recreation, Malaspina –Tourism, visitor management, Africa

INSTITUTE OF COASTAL AND OCEANS RESEARCH University of Victoria Mission Statement (proposed) The Institute of Coastal and Oceans Research (ICOR) will initiate, conduct, coordinate and promote interdisciplinary research on ocean and coastal issues and related policy matters. Mandate The aim will be to advance, promote and exchange knowledge with multiple stakeholders, and inform ocean- and coastal-related policy-making. The Institute will involve a broad range of scholars (from the natural and social sciences and humanities, law, and public administration) both at the University of Victoria and other universities, as well as all levels of government and the private and community sectors.

National Marine Conservation Areas Science Network Co-Chairs Robert de Wreede (UBC)& Phil Dearden (UVic) Using the best environmental, ecological, socio- economic, cultural, TEK and other available information, the Pacific Coast NMCA Scientific Network (NMCA-SN) will assist the respective Project Teams with all science and TEK related issues relevant to the feasibility study for an NMCA in the Southern Strait of Georgia, and to the preparation of the interim management plan for the proposed Gwaii Haanas NMCAR. However, from time to time, NMCA-SN may be asked to provide scientific advice on scientific and TEK issues related to the marine components of National Parks on the Pacific coast.

Questions What GIS-based classification method or approach should Parks Canada Agency use to ensure that an NCMA is representative of the biodiversity within a Natural Marine Region? What type and spatial scale of data should be used in the classification approach? What biophysical operating principles should guide the establishment of fully protected areas/zones? What social, economic and cultural principles should guide the establishment of fully protected areas/zones? List the conservation features/values that should be targeted in the Marxan analysis to represent, conserve, and maintain the biophysical and ecological diversity of the study area and the region’s special elements?

Ocean Management Research Network

Purpose  The aim of the Ocean Management Research Network is to create and share knowledge for the application of critical thinking and best practices to oceans management in Canada. The OMRN is interdisciplinary, with an initial focus on social science, providing a forum for researchers, managers, and policymakers to evaluate timely and innovative linkages, integrate lessons learned, transfer and share knowledge, and help create an expert core of ocean researchers. The OMRN facilitates value-added research, provides seed funding, and seeks to establish a long-term research agenda.

OMRN Board Functions: Network Programs OMRN Board Collaborative Initiatives (Gill) Mentoring and Capacity (Sinclair) Knowledge Connections (Matthews) Publications, Communications, Dissemination (Amaratunga) International Programs (Vanderzwaag) National, Regional, Programs (Charles) Network Secretariat (Lane, Woodrow, Clark)

OMRN Working Groups OMRN OMRN AdaptiveManagement MPAs Linking Social Science and Communities Socioeconomics of Integrated Management InternationalGovernance TourismandCoastalDevelopmentSocioeconomics Of Climate Change CoastalCommunityHealth OceansTechnologyandGeomatics FisheriesAndAquaculture OceansandCoastalIndicators

Marine Protected Areas Working Group Dr. Phil Dearden, Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC Marine Protected Areas Working Group Dr. Phil Dearden, Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC

1. MPA WG Mandate The Marine Protected Areas Working Group will bring together researchers and practitioners dealing with MPAs across Canada and beyond. The WG will assess and synthesize the state of knowledge on a wide range of themes relating to MPAs and their implementation, assess research gaps and priorities for future work. Topics include: how to identify and engage community interest and involvement in MPA implementation; assessing public attitudes and beliefs on MPAs; using social, cultural and economic indicators for MPAs; MPA governance; understanding use patterns and MPA boundary delineation.

2. MPA WG Objectives  Lead in the development and implementation of a social science research agenda that will assist the federal government in meeting its commitment to establish a national system of MPAs in Canada.  Help develop a co-ordinated and adaptive research programme that will address the prioritized elements of the MPA research agenda.  Provide a focal point for researchers and practitioners to exchange information relating to the establishment and effective management of MPAs.  Assist researchers to locate and make effective use of existing resources for undertaking MPA research.  Help build support for the establishment of MPAs in Canada.  Assist in the application of international best practices in MPA establishment and management to the Canadian situation.  Develop opportunities for more students to become involved with MPA research.

GOALS OF NORTH AMERICAN MARINE PROTECTED AREAS NETWORK (NAMPAN)  Periodically report on the State of Vital Signs in the Baja California to Bering Region  Enhance collaboration among the three countries to address common challenges inherent in the protection of marine biodiversity and jointly prioritize conservation actions;  Recognize ecological, economic, social and cultural issues by developing effective conservation approaches and cross-cutting conservation initiatives that help conserve critical marine and coastal habitats and North American biodiversity;  Build regional, national and international capacity to manage, conserve, and monitor the status of critical marine and coastal habitats by sharing effective conservation approaches, lessons learned, new technologies and management strategies, as well as by increasing access to and synthesis of relevant information; and  Facilitate the strategic design and establishment of a global system of MPAs throughout North America and the world, as called for by IUCN.