Aquaculture and MPAs The challenge of ICZM Jeremy Rayner with Marie Potvin and George Roman

Shared Assumptions of ICZM The coastal zone is –an area of complex biophysical interactions –usually characterized by a tangle of jurisdictions –the site of multiple and often conflicting uses

That’s all very well in theory … A sector-by-sector approach is a recipe for frustration, if not disaster The alternative is a comprehensive approach to coastal management including a network of representative MPAs BUT ….

Canada and BC Backgrounder Canada’s “soft law” international obligations in the coastal zone A patchwork of relatively uncoordinated MPA initiatives under different legislation A commitment to collaboration in areas where there is a legacy of conflict and suspicion

“promotion of a shift in emphasis away from controlling the end use of resources and toward a more balanced approach to coastal development where emphasis is also given to maintaining the health and productivity of coastal ecosystems and the resources they generate that sustain different forms of activity, including mariculture.” (Burbridge et al)

Lessons from other jurisdictions: US Early start with the Coastal Zone Management Act (1972) More extensive jurisdiction for the states Framework law: statement of federal objectives with financial and jurisdictional incentives for states to implement plans

Lessons from other jurisdictions: US Experienced similar problems of coordination, especially with MPAs –At federal level, Oceans Act (2000) and Oceans Action Plan (2004) –At state level, California v. Washington models –Local success stories, e.g Puget Sound Action Team, Willapa Bay

Lessons from other jurisdictions: EU Serious consideration of ICZM only after 1992 and Agenda 21 Response to a similar set of perceptions –Missing or inappropriate information –Lack of coordination and participations

Lessons from other jurisdictions: EU Demonstration program ran from with significant effort at evaluation Conflict between Council and Parliament over subsidiarity Aquaculture explicitly recognized as a legitimate activity in the coastal zone

Lessons from other jurisdictions: EU Coordination takes place through information instruments Success stories are local rather than regional or national but these run up against the limits of existing jurisdictions – e.g. the Bantry Bay Charter, Loch Fyne

What we heard Industry: the MPA designation is a further threat to their right to farm and their access to scarce coastal locations –A misunderstanding? Perhaps not First Nations: it’s premature to engage in MPA planning before rights and title are settled

What we heard Governments: we have obligations and a mandate to create MPAs and will press on –Committed to ICZM and stakeholder consultation but will it work? NGOs: planning fatigue, resource shortages, too many different processes, scepticism

Criteria for successful governance strategy Improve coordination Encourage collaboration (conflict resolution) Holistic Iterative and adaptive Where do we stand?