MPAs and MPA Networks: Progress in the U.S. and Internationally Joseph A. Uravitch, A.I.C.P. Director National Marine Protected Area Center National Ocean Service Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management Annie Hillary International Affairs Specialists International Program Office Nation Ocean Service May 24, 2007

Progress in the U.S.

Priority MPA Center Tasks - 1 Develop the Framework for a National System of MPAs - A common sense approach for MPA programs, partners, and stakeholders to work together to better use MPAs to conserve and sustain marine resources Adaptive and flexible Partnership driven to support existing efforts and improve future decisions through collaboration/cooperation States, Territories, Tribes and federal agencies are FULL partners. Promotes ecosystem and regional approaches, while maintaining a national outlook Inclusive: recognizes valuable contributions from the nation’s many sites and program

Framework: Where are we now? Nation-wide meetings to gather input for the draft Framework Development of draft Framework document FAC Report June 2005 Sept – Feb Draft Framework Available for Public Comment 2007 Revise draft Framework and publish formal responses, based on comments received Publish final Framework by end of Begin implementation of final Framework to build National System of MPAs FAC Comments Feb FAC Products April 2007 FAC Input Oct & Beyond You are here!

Draft Framework Comments Five month comment period ended Feb. 28, individual comments (>11,000 s) from: –State and tribal governments –Conservation and industry organizations –Private individuals –Commercial and rec fishers/industry –FAC and members –Fishery councils and commissions –Academia –Other

Comment Overview Comments were received on nearly every aspect of the framework –E.g., goals, definitions, nomination process, state/tribal roles, avoid harm, monitoring, etc. –Some commenters simply noted that ‘MPAs are unwanted in their backyard’ Represent the full range of possible perspectives on the framework and national system –Not needed  good as proposed  needs improvement Preliminarily identified some big picture issues for reconsideration

Big Picture Issues Scope of the system –attempting to achieve all encompassing goals/objectives, all at once –little to no prioritization Size of the system –large number of sites could render ineffective –Inclusiveness is, however, important Stronger emphasis on identifying and filling gaps (new areas) in addition to existing sites Better process for identifying and providing priority support to participating MPAs

Framework: Draft  Final  Implementation Spring/Summer 2007: Revise Framework and develop response to comments Late 2007: NOAA and DOI publish Final Framework MPA Center Early 2008: MPA Center and MPA programs begin to identify existing, eligible MPAs and consult regarding nomination to national system

Priority Project – 2: West Coast Pilot Science and Analysis Components Cultural Resource Characterization Human Use Pattern Characterization Impacts of Human Uses Assessment Contribution of Existing MMA/MPAs Governance Synthesis Ecological Characterization Uses and Stressors Resources Protection ID Gaps in Protection Data Layers Outputs A growing partnership of NOAA programs, states, tribes, NGOs

West Coast MMAs: Overlapping Boundaries Layers of Protection? - Overlapping MMA boundaries are common - Some areas contain up to 6 layered sites - Overlapping MMAs account for 33K km2 - 8% of all WC MMA waters has > 1 site - Some jurisdictional overlays add little new protection

Warning: Abrupt Change Of Gears -- Regional Trends in MMA Use 269 MMAs off West Coast –CA, WA, OR Combination of federal, state and local sites Many MMAs span state and federal waters Recent addition of EFH Sites radically changes the marine landscape of spatial protection Most established after 1970’s with another big increase in 2000’s

Area Covered By No Take MMAs on the West Coast

Selected International Linkages North America (U.S. – CD – MX) Commission on Environmental Cooperation North American MPA Network development Security and Prosperity Partnership MPA Information & Strategy Sharing Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management Arctic Treaty - Arctic MPA Network (No action defined, 2007 Is Year of the Arctic) Gulf of Maine Council Pacific Island MPA Community - U.S. Islands & Freely Associated States UNEP Caribbean - Joint MPA inventory under discussion Convention on Biological Diversity Developing U.S. National MPA System to meet 2012 Global MPA Network guidelines Participating in preparation of international guidebook for development of MPA Systems with IUCN

Progress Internationally

Global Awareness and Support for Establishing MPA Networks Range of political commitments to develop MPAs networks Range of political commitments to develop MPAs networks Progress is being made in establishing individual/group of MPAs Progress is being made in establishing individual/group of MPAs Scientific evidence and acceptance for a core group of principles common language and core group of principles Scientific evidence and acceptance for a core group of principles common language and core group of principles

World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), 2002 Develop and facilitate the use of diverse approaches and tools, including the ecosystem approach, the elimination of destructive fishing practices, the establishment of marine protected areas consistent with international law and based on scientific information, including representative networks by 2012 and time/area closures for the protection of nursery grounds and periods, proper coastal land-use and watershed planning and the integration of marine and coastal areas management into key sectors.” Develop and facilitate the use of diverse approaches and tools, including the ecosystem approach, the elimination of destructive fishing practices, the establishment of marine protected areas consistent with international law and based on scientific information, including representative networks by 2012 and time/area closures for the protection of nursery grounds and periods, proper coastal land-use and watershed planning and the integration of marine and coastal areas management into key sectors.”

Establish by 2012 a global system of …. marine and coastal protected areas... –these networks should be extensive and include strictly protected areas that amount to at least % of each habitat, and contribute to a global target for healthy and productive oceans; 5 th World Parks Congress, South Africa th World Parks Congress, South Africa 2003

G8 Group of Nations Statement, Evian 2003 Establish ecosystem networks of marine protected areas, consistent with international law and based on scientific information by 2012 in our own waters and regions, and work with others to achieve the same in theirs Establish ecosystem networks of marine protected areas, consistent with international law and based on scientific information by 2012 in our own waters and regions, and work with others to achieve the same in theirs

Convention on Biological Diversity 2004 (COP7) By 2012: complete the establishment of comprehensive and ecologically representative national and regional systems of MPAs. By 2012: complete the establishment of comprehensive and ecologically representative national and regional systems of MPAs.

Where are we now? Political commitments to developing networks of MPAs Political commitments to developing networks of MPAs Practical progress at establishing individual/group of MPAs Practical progress at establishing individual/group of MPAs Core principles exist (e.g. representative, permanent, replicated) Core principles exist (e.g. representative, permanent, replicated) Global network targets are being developed Global network targets are being developed Now need to build capacity to move from sites Now need to build capacity to move from sites to networks to networks

Key Challenge How to transform these commitments into practical actions that go beyond the establishment of single or groups on MPA sites. How to transform these commitments into practical actions that go beyond the establishment of single or groups on MPA sites.

National MPA Targets Country Area to be protected Target date Palau 30% of near shore marine ecosystems 2020 Fed States of Micronesia 30% of near shore marine ecosystems 2020 Marshall Islands 30% of near shore marine ecosystems 2020 Guam 2020 Northern Marianas 30% of near shore marine ecosystems 2020 Fiji 2015

National MPA Targets Bahamas 20% Marine ecosystem for fisheries replenishment Grenada 25% Near shore marine resources 2020 Cuba 22% Continental shelf (?15% of its insular shelf, 25% of coral reef areas and 25% of each subtype of wetland) Jamaica50% Madagascar10%2008 Tanzania 10% of sea 20% of sea

National MPA Targets South Africa20% Indonesia20%2013 Philippines10%2020 Chile10%2006 Australia S. Australia19 MPAs2010 Germany38%

Micronesia Challenge Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Guam and Northern Marianas Islands pledged to protect 30% of their near shore waters by Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Guam and Northern Marianas Islands pledged to protect 30% of their near shore waters by American Samoa is aiming to protect 20% of its reefs as no-take areas by 2010 American Samoa is aiming to protect 20% of its reefs as no-take areas by 2010

West Africa – Regional Strategy for MPAs, Vision Statement To create: “an effective network of MPAs in West Africa with participatory management, led by strong institutions contributing to the sustainable development of the region by enhancing natural and cultural diversity”. To create: “an effective network of MPAs in West Africa with participatory management, led by strong institutions contributing to the sustainable development of the region by enhancing natural and cultural diversity”.

Natura 2000 EU Member States required to designate – EU Member States required to designate – –Special Areas of Conservation –Special Protected Areas –Appy an ecological based network development approach

MPA Network In Chile The conservation areas have a national objectives framed in the National Biodiversity Strategy MPAs have to be represented by key marine species of the Chilean Coast (e.g. charismatic, endemic, threatened) Mostly divided into three types: No-take Management areas (for fishermen community management) MPAs of multiple use ((e.g. tourism allowed) Applies an ecosystem based approach Community participation is a requirement

Tanzania “Blueprint 2050” Priority Area for MPA’s and MMA Network in Tanzania Priority Area for MPA’s and MMA Network in Tanzania Globally and Regionally important seascape areas (EAME), ACEP, Transboundary areas with Kenya and Mozambique Globally and Regionally important seascape areas (EAME), ACEP, Transboundary areas with Kenya and Mozambique

Great Barrier Reef Australia MPA networks must include examples of the full range of biological diversity (from genes to ecosystems); and MPA networks must include examples of the full range of biological diversity (from genes to ecosystems); and The associated oceanographic environment within the given area The associated oceanographic environment within the given area

Establishing Marine Protected Area Networks: Making It Happen

Key aspects of building MPA networks

Eight Ecological Design Principles for building MPA Networks Representativeness Representativeness Replication Replication Viability Viability Precautionary design Precautionary design Permanence Permanence Maximum connectivity Maximum connectivity Resilience Resilience Size and shape Size and shape

Best Practice for Planning and Implementation Clearly define objectives Clearly define objectives Establish long-term political commitment and will Establish long-term political commitment and will Encourage stakeholder participation Encourage stakeholder participation Make best use of available information Make best use of available information Develop integrated management frameworks Develop integrated management frameworks Employ adaptive management techniques Employ adaptive management techniques

Making MPA Networks Happen and Achieve Goals Political will and leadership Political will and leadership Public education, communication and awareness Public education, communication and awareness Monitoring and assessment Monitoring and assessment Sustainable financing Sustainable financing Compliance and enforcement Compliance and enforcement

Special Thanks The NOAA Team: Annie Hillary Annie Hillary Victoria Wedell Victoria Wedell Daphne Pee Daphne Pee Gonzalo Cid Gonzalo Cid Anne Walton Anne Walton John Parks John Parks

Contributors to the Report Dan Laffoley, WCPA – Marine Vice Chair, and Head of Marine Conservation, English Nature Dan Laffoley, WCPA – Marine Vice Chair, and Head of Marine Conservation, English Nature Ghislaine Llewellyn, WWF-Australia, Program Manager Oceans Ghislaine Llewellyn, WWF-Australia, Program Manager Oceans Scott E. Smith, Senior Marine Policy Advisor, The Nature Conservancy Scott E. Smith, Senior Marine Policy Advisor, The Nature Conservancy Jon Day, Director, Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Jon Day, Director, Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

IUCN Website ome/marine/mpanetworks/networks. html ome/marine/mpanetworks/networks. html

THANK YOU!