WWF-Canada and the Gulf of Maine Council Jennifer Smith Manager, GIS/Conservation Planning WWF-Canada Northwest Atlantic Ecoregion Program Salem, MA June

Our mission: Conserve biodiversity Ensure resource use is sustainable Reduce pollution and wasteful consumption

WWF-Canada’s focus areas Two themes: Biodiversity Footprint Four Ecoregions: Northeast Pacific Coastal Mackenzie River Basin Greater Antilles Northwest Atlantic

Solutions-oriented Science-based Committed to taking cooperative approaches first Open to working with partners who share our conservation goals Informed by local perspectives How we work

Reducing threats to right whales Mapping distribution of entanglement risk Developing and testing “Smart Gear” Working with fishers to identify solutions Goal: Risk < 80% in two key conservation areas

Protecting habitat MPAs and spatial planning Basis for regional recovery and sustainability Embedded in EBM/IM framework Ecological scale – regional coordination Goal: A network of MPAs and other spatial conservation measures in place, protecting areas of high conservation value and at least 10% of each habitat type.

Past work: building the case

Renewing our efforts: Information in support of planning Advocating for/participating in planning processes ‘Paving the way’ for action on priority sites

Direct engagement in Council Activities: 1.11: Managed areas database - provide capacity as required to complete Canadian data

Direct engagement in Council Activities: 1.11: managed areas database 1.13: sub-tidal habitat classification – communication and consistent approach - assist in organising workshop - share our work and lessons learned

Complimentary activities “messy map” of conservation interests and values Gap analysis Sharing information products ‘Filling the gaps’  Draw on existing information products  Consult to ensure comprehensiveness

Complimentary activities “messy map” of conservation interests and values Gap analysis Sharing information products ‘Filling the gaps’  based on mutually- accepted information products  Regional analysis requires US partners  Tool for monitoring progress on implementing conservation

Complimentary activities “messy map” of conservation interests and values Gap analysis Sharing information products ‘Filling the gaps’  Ensure we are communicating with key audiences  Explore opportunities to feed into Council- supported portals

Complimentary activities “messy map” of conservation interests and values Gap analysis Sharing information products ‘Filling the gaps’  supporting and participating in EBM/IM  matching conservation need to agency mandates

Benefits of engaging with the Council Sharing information and networks Confirming relevance of planned work Avoiding duplication and enhancing complementarities Identifying collaborative activities Advancing an enabling EBM framework