Building Capacity on Protected Areas Law & Governance Marine Protected Areas – Part I Special Features and International Law Module 10

Building Capacity on Protected Areas Law & Governance Marine Protected Areas – Part I MPAs are an essential tool for conserving marine and coastal biodiversity and meeting national and global targets for marine protection. Marine environments have special features and needs, when compared to terrestrial environments, that require special attention in PA law. International law obligations and guidance specific to marine environments should guide development of MPAs and their laws. MPAs have special connectivity conservation needs to take into account and these also require a supportive legal framework.

Overview of the Seminar Special Features International Law Marine Connectivity Evolving Role of MPAs

Objectives Review the evolving role of MPAs for conserving and sustaining marine biodiversity and ecosystems. Outline main international law obligations and guidance in marine conservation and MPAs. Identify special characteristics of marine and coastal environments needing attention in MPA law. Provide an overview of special marine connectivity features needing attention to support MPA development and sustainability.

Outcomes Understanding of the evolving role of MPAs for conserving and sustaining marine biodiversity and ecosystems. Knowledge of the main international law obligations and guidance in marine conservation and MPAs. Awareness of special features of marine connectivity needing attention to support MPA development and sustainability. Knowledge of the special characteristics of marine and coastal environments needing attention in MPA law.

Overview of the Seminar Special Features International Law Marine Connectivity Evolving Role of MPAs

Evolving role of MPAs Expanded marine jurisdiction Scientific advances Modern definitions Historical development New global targets

Historical development Change in focus original fisheries archeological sites today biodiversity ecosystems Change in approach broader more science-based

… Historical development First norms hundreds of years ago Early MPA legislation fisheries laws cultural/historic sites limited scientific understanding fisheries practices/controls traditional/community driven

Expanded marine jurisdiction Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Coastal and near-shore waters Marine areas under national jurisdiction Areas may be larger than land areas Governed by global oceans law

Scientific advances >90 % of the planet’s biologically useful habitat 70 % of the world’s surface among most threatened ecosystems Marine and coastal zones most life on earth The oceans 97% of the world’s water ecosystem services climate and weather food billions of USD

… Scientific advances MPAs recognized as essential conserving biodiversity sustaining ecosystems restoring marine living resources Under many names marine park marine reserve marine sanctuary

Modern definitions IUCN … a clearly defined geographical space recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal and other effective means, to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. generic PA definition applies CBD … any defined area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying waters and associated flora, fauna and historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by legislation or other effective means, including custom, with the effect that its marine and/or coastal biodiversity enjoys a higher level of protection [than its] surroundings.

New global targets Aichi Biodiversity Targets By 2020, at least … 10% of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes. effectively and equitably managed ecologically representative well connected systems area-based conservation integrated into surroundings Target 11 10% of coastal/marine areas

New global targets Present coverage 4% Near coastal areas 7.2% Total marine areas under national jurisdiction Additional protection to achieve Aichi Target 11 Marine areas under national jurisdiction 8 million sq. km.

Global targets Global Marine Protected Area Coverage 1.6% of entire ocean6 million sq km

Overview of the Seminar Special Features Evolving Role of MPAs

Special threats Special management challenges Special characteristics Special features

Special characteristics Three-dimensional space Vastly extended areas Deepwater zones Large-scale connectivity Sharing high seas processes Limited scientific knowledge

Special threats Habitat destruction Unsustainable fishing Land-based pollution Climate change

Special threats: Coastal habitat loss

… Special threats warming sea temperatures acidification sea level rise advancing salinity extreme weather events shifting species range changing ocean currents Climate change

Special management challenges… Exceptionally large areas Less experience Special equipment Near shore vs. deepwater High seas connection

Special management challenges…

Multiple stakeholders Complex property rights Less conservation awareness Diverse rights/interests

Special management challenges

Overview of the Seminar Special Features International Law Evolving Role of MPAs

International Law UNCLOS IMO global oceans law CBD Ramsar global conservation treaties WHC CMS regional instruments

Global oceans law Obligations protect marine environment control marine pollution protect ecosystems/habitat Defines 5 ocean zones Law of the Sea Convention

… Global oceans law Maritime zones under UNCLOS

MPA designations Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas Special Areas Guidelines International Maritime Organization (IMO) … Global oceans law

Global conservation treaties Convention on Biological Diversity Global targets Guidance and criteria Application

… Global conservation treaties Convention on Biological Diversity

Ramsar Convention “Wetlands” includes coastal zones World Heritage Convention Marine Programme Convention on Migratory Species Agreements on marine species Cetaceans Manatees sharks waterbirds Sea turtles Monk seals … Global conservation treaties

Regional instruments Two broad approaches Directly call for MPAs General obligations for marine protection Regional Seas Programme MPAs = tool to implement EU Natura 2000 OSPAR Convention national or transboundary

Overview of the Seminar Special Features International Law Marine Connectivity Evolving Role of MPAs

Marine Connectivity What is marine connectivity International law Managing for marine connectivity

What is Marine Connectivity

Between populations Exchange of eggs, larvae, juveniles, adults between sites Movement of nutrients, sediments, pollution and other items Challenges Complex interactions/linkages

What is Marine Connectivity Landscape conceptLandscape exampleSeascape example MatrixDominant element in a landscape Sand or seagrass PatchBasic spatial element in a landscape Mangrove, seagrass, reef MosaicCombination of different types of patches Patches of sand, mangrove, seagrass, reef Stepping stoneSmall row of patchesSeagrass patch connecting reef patches in sand matrix Landscape/seascape concepts

What is Marine Connectivity?: seascape patches and connectivity

What is Marine Connectivity Sea turtle migrations Connections of adjacent/continuous habitats Regular larval dispersal Regular settlement of larvae Movement of mature marine life How connectivity happens

International law Global oceans law Global conservation treaties Regional instruments International programmes Marine connectivity broadly supported

Managing for marine connectivity Key management principles Large spatial scale MPAs for highest value sites Integrate into seascapes/landscapes Take into account climate change

Managing for marine connectivity Legal tools Large marine ecosystems (LME) Marine spatial planning (MSP) Ocean zoning Integrated coastal/ ocean management

Overview of the Seminar Special Features International Law Marine Connectivity Evolving Role of MPAs

Objectives Review the evolving role of MPAs for conserving and sustaining marine biodiversity and ecosystems. Outline main international law obligations and guidance for marine conservation and MPAs. Identify special characteristics of marine and coastal environments needing attention in MPA law. Provide an overview of special marine connectivity features needing attention to support MPA development and sustainability..

Outcomes Understanding of the evolving role of MPAs for conserving and sustaining marine biodiversity conservation.. Knowledge of the main international law obligations and guidance in marine conservation and MPAs. Awareness of special features of marine connectivity needing attention to support MPA development and sustainability. Knowledge of the special characteristics of marine and coastal environments needing attention in MPA law.

Core Texts 15 Case Studies5 Case Studies

Building Capacity on Protected Areas Law & Governance Module 10 Marine Protected Areas -- Part I Seminar Presentation Exercises knowledge transferskills development