Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Initiative (MPA-MEI) Pilot MPAs Summary

WCPA-Marine / WWF MPA Management Effectiveness Initiative Goal Improve the management of MPAs by providing managers, planners and other decision-makers with methods for assessing the effectiveness of MPA sitesImprove the management of MPAs by providing managers, planners and other decision-makers with methods for assessing the effectiveness of MPA sitesObjectives Develop MPA-specific indicators and a guidebook for MPA managers Field-test and refine indicators and guidebook based on pilot projects Increase awareness and use of monitoring and evaluation in MPAs

Developing the Indicators (April-October 2001) Venezuela Workshop – 35 MPA Experts

Indicator Outline (November 2001 – June 2002) Name of indicatorName of indicator Goals/objectives related to indicatorGoals/objectives related to indicator How difficult is it to measure?How difficult is it to measure? What is…?What is…? (definition) Why measure it?Why measure it? (purpose/rationale) What is required to measure it?What is required to measure it? (resources) How are data collected?How are data collected? (method) How are results interpreted/shared?How are results interpreted/shared? (analysis & communications) OutputsOutputs Strengths and limitationsStrengths and limitations ExampleExample (from a pilot site) References/useful informationReferences/useful information

(February-May 2002 )

Some Characteristics of the MPAs Natural setting (#sites) Temperate4Temperate4 Sub-tropical3Sub-tropical3 Tropical11Tropical11 Size (average #) Small (<100 km 2 ): 6Small (<100 km 2 ): 6 Medium ( km 2 ): 4Medium ( km 2 ): 4 Large (>1000 Km 2 ): 8Large (>1000 Km 2 ): 8 Management Approach Conventional:10Conventional:10 Co-management:6Co-management:6 Community-based:2Community-based:2

2 Working Draft Guidebook (July-September 2002)

Pilot Sites Training Workshop (September 2002)

Revising the Guidebook (October 2002 – June 2003 ) Comments on the Draft Guidebooks: 18 Pilot project teams18 Pilot project teams Over 60 external reviewersOver 60 external reviewers 6-month timeframe to test the draft guidebook Results from 11 sites were analyzed for guidebook revision (by April 2003)Results from 11 sites were analyzed for guidebook revision (by April 2003) 2 additional sites completed field testing2 additional sites completed field testing

Results from Field-testing reports Indicators Selected (average #) Biophysical:3[11]Biophysical:3[11] Governance:4[17]Governance:4[17] Socioeconomic:5[16]Socioeconomic:5[16] [# offered in the draft guidebook] All sites were able to match their goals and objectives against the appropriate indicators using the guidebook.

Results from Field-testing reports Most of the MPAs selected the “appropriate” indicators for measuring ME in their sitesMost of the MPAs selected the “appropriate” indicators for measuring ME in their sites Some additional socioeconomic and governance indicator were proposed by individual MPAsSome additional socioeconomic and governance indicator were proposed by individual MPAs Most sites had team members with different skills and trainingMost sites had team members with different skills and training Biophysical and socioeconomic indicators were reported as being the most expensive and time consuming to measureBiophysical and socioeconomic indicators were reported as being the most expensive and time consuming to measure

Results from Field-testing reports MPAs used the methods suggested in the guidebook for measuring their indicatorsMPAs used the methods suggested in the guidebook for measuring their indicators Few alternative methods and techniques were proposed by pilot sites with established monitoring programs and/or qualified working teamsFew alternative methods and techniques were proposed by pilot sites with established monitoring programs and/or qualified working teams Adaptation to some guidebook methods was achieved by pilot sites to confront specific problems, such as:Adaptation to some guidebook methods was achieved by pilot sites to confront specific problems, such as: accessibilityaccessibility participation of local communitiesparticipation of local communities seasonal activities and natural processesseasonal activities and natural processes

Results from Field-testing reports Challenges Lack Socioeconomic and governance professional and technical capacityLack Socioeconomic and governance professional and technical capacity Lack of time, resources, and evaluation experienceLack of time, resources, and evaluation experience Difficulty in accessing some areas of large MPAsDifficulty in accessing some areas of large MPAs Difficulty in obtaining local population’s participationDifficulty in obtaining local population’s participation Lack of clear definition and understanding of the MPA goals and objectivesLack of clear definition and understanding of the MPA goals and objectives

Future Implementation Guidebook found to be usefulGuidebook found to be useful All indicators found to be useful for adaptive management purposes, specially governance indicators (indicated by pilot MPAs)All indicators found to be useful for adaptive management purposes, specially governance indicators (indicated by pilot MPAs) Need for increased understanding and focus on socioeconomic and governance aspects of MPAsNeed for increased understanding and focus on socioeconomic and governance aspects of MPAs Need for guidance on MPA design and management planningNeed for guidance on MPA design and management planning Need for MPA prioritize adaptive management within overall management processNeed for MPA prioritize adaptive management within overall management process

Recommendations Adapt for different target audiences (developed vs. developing countries)Adapt for different target audiences (developed vs. developing countries) Develop a shorter and more pictorial version (targeted to broader audience)Develop a shorter and more pictorial version (targeted to broader audience) Reduce the number of indicators with high difficulty ratings (  3)Reduce the number of indicators with high difficulty ratings (  3) Improve the chart of analysis/process and matrixes with indicatorsImprove the chart of analysis/process and matrixes with indicators Make it easier to read sequentially (so readers do not have to jump around in text)Make it easier to read sequentially (so readers do not have to jump around in text) Use technical wording of objectives (results rather than actions)Use technical wording of objectives (results rather than actions) Emphasize the use of existing data (not a new process in each indicator)Emphasize the use of existing data (not a new process in each indicator) Standardize terminologyStandardize terminology

Suggestion to the Draft Guidebook Need more time9Need more time9 Simplify the guidebook6Simplify the guidebook6 Simplify language6Simplify language6 Simplify methods5Simplify methods5 Clarify process3Clarify process3 More information/indicators2More information/indicators2 Simplify diagrams2Simplify diagrams2 # Pilot MPAs

In Proof

4-Step Process

Goals, Objectives & Indicators

Further Information

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