How Are Marine Protected Areas Created? A Guide for the Lay Person

Legislation for Marine Protected Areas MPAs are created under the Oceans Act MPAs are created under the Oceans Act –It confirms Canada’s role with respect to oceans management, specifying the need to integrate marine conservation with development activities to maintain healthy ecosystems.

Legislation for Marine Protected Areas The Oceans Act The Oceans Act –identifies three complimentary initiatives for the conservation and protection of the oceans. These legislated initiatives are: Integrated Management program. Integrated Management program. Marine Ecosystem Health program. Marine Ecosystem Health program. Marine Protected Areas program. Marine Protected Areas program.

Marine Protected Areas (MPA) “A marine protected area is an area of the sea that forms part of the internal waters of Canada, the territorial sea of Canada or the exclusive economic zone of Canada and has been designated under this section for special protection.” Section 35. (1)

Why Do We Need MPAs? MPAs are needed to conserve and protect: MPAs are needed to conserve and protect: –commercial and non-commercial resources and supporting habitats; –endangered or threatened species and supporting habitats; –unique habitats; –areas of high biodiversity or productivity; – areas to fulfil mandate of Minister.

The Approach to the MPA Program The approach to be used in the MPA program consists of the following key elements: The approach to be used in the MPA program consists of the following key elements: –Effective partnering; –Information sources; –Ecosystems overviews; –Public awareness and education; and –Learning-by-doing.

Effective Partnering Cooperation is encouraged in all steps in the process. A great deal of effort is put into identifying stakeholders and getting them involved in the process. Cooperation is encouraged in all steps in the process. A great deal of effort is put into identifying stakeholders and getting them involved in the process. Key program areas dependent on partnering: Key program areas dependent on partnering: –Gathering of information; –Development of public awareness of environmental issues; –Conducting of research; and –Enforcement of regulations.

Effective Partnering Prospective partners in the MPA Program: Prospective partners in the MPA Program: –Coastal communities and non-government conservation organizations; –Fishing and aquaculture interests; –Aboriginal communities and organizations; –Ocean industries; –Provincial and municipal governments; –Federal departments.

Information Sources A major constraint in planning for MPAs is the limited understanding of the dynamics of our marine ecosystems. A major constraint in planning for MPAs is the limited understanding of the dynamics of our marine ecosystems. Where knowledge is limited, management decisions will be made on a precautionary approach. Where knowledge is limited, management decisions will be made on a precautionary approach.

Information Sources Information deficits will be addressed by: Information deficits will be addressed by: –Pursuing sustainable development, integrated management, and the precautionary approach; –Using MPAs as a learning opportunity by applying the adaptive management principle; –Establishing a monitoring component as part of some MPAs; and –Using MPAs as natural laboratories to conduct enviromental research.

Ecosystem Overviews Studies will be used to characterize ecosystem types. Studies will be used to characterize ecosystem types. These studies will: These studies will: –Enable MPAs to be developed in a systematic manner; –Assist in the evaluation and selection of MPAs; and –Contribute to initiatives such as integrated management.

Ecosystem Overviews These overviews include information on: These overviews include information on: –Existing and planned uses (fishing activities, resource extraction, recreation); –Environmental conditions; –Ecological characteristics such as key species distribution and critical habitats. May consider scientific and traditional knowledge. May consider scientific and traditional knowledge.

Ecosystem Overviews Will provide important information for managing human activities affecting sensitive ecosystems, habitats, and species. Will provide important information for managing human activities affecting sensitive ecosystems, habitats, and species.

Public Awareness and Education Public awareness and education of DFO’s Marine Protected Areas program is of utmost importance. Public awareness and education of DFO’s Marine Protected Areas program is of utmost importance. Successful partnering requires that interested parties are well-informed and knowledgeable. Successful partnering requires that interested parties are well-informed and knowledgeable. The aims of the program must be clearly defined and understood. The aims of the program must be clearly defined and understood.

Public Awareness and Education Various materials will be required for different audiences including: Various materials will be required for different audiences including: –Schools; –Resource users; –DFO and other government agencies; –Communities; and –Non-government agencies.

Public Awareness and Education Various educational tools can include: Various educational tools can include: –Public meetings; –Brochures; –Booklets; –Educational videos; –Computer presentations; and –Web-based materials

Public Awareness and Education Effective education and stakeholder support can reduce enforcement requirements by: Effective education and stakeholder support can reduce enforcement requirements by: –Encouraging participation by interested parties; –Creating an understanding that leads to better compliance; and –Providing a forum, through the partnering arrangements, for addressing concerns.

Learning-by-doing The evolving MPA framework is to be adaptable and to be phased in, thus providing practical experience in establishing and managing MPAs. The evolving MPA framework is to be adaptable and to be phased in, thus providing practical experience in establishing and managing MPAs. The framework design will be constantly examined to consider ways of streamlining and adapting it to meet the needs of regions and stakeholders. The framework design will be constantly examined to consider ways of streamlining and adapting it to meet the needs of regions and stakeholders.

The Framework to Establish a MPA The steps to be followed in the process of designating a marine protected area: The steps to be followed in the process of designating a marine protected area: –Identification of an Area of Interest (AOI) –Initial screening and evaluation; –AOI recommendation; –Development of a Management Plan and MPA recommendation; –Formal designation as a MPA.

Identification of an Area of Interest An AOI may be identified by: An AOI may be identified by: –DFO and other government agencies; –Community groups –Coastal communities and Aboriginal organizations; –The fishing sector; –Environmental organizations; –Academic institutions; –Other stakeholders; –The general public.

Identification of an Area of Interest The MPA program accepts nominations of areas for consideration as MPAs. The MPA program accepts nominations of areas for consideration as MPAs.

Initial screening and evaluation The initial screening involves an assessment of an AOI to determine if it should be evaluated in more detail. The initial screening involves an assessment of an AOI to determine if it should be evaluated in more detail. Suggested AOIs will be screened to ensure that the purposes stated for the proposed area conform to the reasons stated for MPAs under the Oceans Act. Suggested AOIs will be screened to ensure that the purposes stated for the proposed area conform to the reasons stated for MPAs under the Oceans Act.

Initial screening and evaluation Types of information that may be required for initial screening: Types of information that may be required for initial screening: –The location of the proposed AOI; –An outline of the purposes and rationale for establishing an MPA in this location and how these related to Section 35 of the Oceans Act; –A brief biophysical description and socio-economic profile of the AOI and surrounding areas

Initial screening and evaluation Types of information that may be required for initial screening: Types of information that may be required for initial screening: –The types of management measures and regulations that might apply to the area; –The suggested involvement of stakeholders or sponsors in the future management of the area; –Contact person, group or agency leading or facilitating the MPA process.

Initial screening and evaluation Proposed areas of interest that may qualify for MPA status are placed on an AOI List. Proposed areas of interest that may qualify for MPA status are placed on an AOI List. –The AOI List is made available to the public. –Areas that are on the AOI List are monitored to ensure that the ecological integrity of an area remains intact while awaiting a final recommendation concerning MPA status.

Initial screening and evaluation Where it is believed that the ecological integrity of an AOI is being threatened by activities, interim protection measures may be implemented. Where it is believed that the ecological integrity of an AOI is being threatened by activities, interim protection measures may be implemented. The AOI evaluation consists of: The AOI evaluation consists of: –Ecological Assessment; –Technical Assessment; and –Socio-economic Assessment.

Initial screening and evaluation Ecological Assessment Ecological Assessment –The ecological assessment addresses the following questions: Does the proposed MPA comply with the reasons for MPAs stated in the Oceans Act? Does the proposed MPA comply with the reasons for MPAs stated in the Oceans Act? What are the ecological merits of the proposal? What are the ecological merits of the proposal? How significant are these? How significant are these?

Initial screening and evaluation Ecological Assessment Ecological Assessment –In addition to the ecological knowledge, the assessment should include: a list of human activities which may need to be controlled, a list of human activities which may need to be controlled, any restoration needs for the area, and any restoration needs for the area, and the potential for recovery of natural ecosystem functions, if applicable. the potential for recovery of natural ecosystem functions, if applicable.

Initial screening and evaluation Technical Assessment Technical Assessment –The technical assessment addresses the following questions: Is the proposal feasible from a management and technical perspective? Is the proposal feasible from a management and technical perspective? What adjustments can be made to improve feasibility and practicality? What adjustments can be made to improve feasibility and practicality? What should the boundaries of the AOI be? What should the boundaries of the AOI be? Is there public and stakeholder support? Is there public and stakeholder support?

Initial screening and evaluation Technical Assessment Technical Assessment –The technical assessment determines: The prior recognition of the conservation value of the site, such as international recognition of a site’s importance; The prior recognition of the conservation value of the site, such as international recognition of a site’s importance; The contribution of the site to integrated management purposes; The contribution of the site to integrated management purposes; The availability of the site for designation; The availability of the site for designation; The appropriateness of proposed area boundaries and management regulations for meeting the proposed management objectives; The appropriateness of proposed area boundaries and management regulations for meeting the proposed management objectives;

Initial screening and evaluation Technical Assessment Technical Assessment –The technical assessment determines: The capacity of management resources for planning and management; The capacity of management resources for planning and management; The public and stakeholder support for the proposal; The public and stakeholder support for the proposal; The nature of cooperative partnering or co-management arrangements that might support management of a MPA; The nature of cooperative partnering or co-management arrangements that might support management of a MPA; Possible conflicts with adjacent uses, and measures to lessen these; Possible conflicts with adjacent uses, and measures to lessen these; The demonstration value of the site for conservation purposes. The demonstration value of the site for conservation purposes.

Initial screening and evaluation Technical Assessment Technical Assessment –It also refines the proposal: To improve its acceptability; To improve its acceptability; To minimize technical problems; and To minimize technical problems; and To ensure the design for the proposed MPA is appropriate. To ensure the design for the proposed MPA is appropriate.

Initial screening and evaluation Technical Assessment Technical Assessment –It also develops partnering, co-management, or co- designation with other agencies to meet site objectives. –It considers whether other measures or regulations might be more appropriate for conserving and protecting resources (e.g., fisheries closures or harvest regulations).

Initial screening and evaluation Socio-economic Assessment Socio-economic Assessment –A socio-economic assessment answers the following questions: How would the establishment of a MPA affect human activities in and around the proposed MPA? How would the establishment of a MPA affect human activities in and around the proposed MPA? How can socio-economic benefits of the MPA be enhanced or the costs reduced? How can socio-economic benefits of the MPA be enhanced or the costs reduced?

Initial screening and evaluation Socio-economic Assessment Socio-economic Assessment –The socio-economic assessment determines how the establishment of a MPA may affect: Fishing uses; Fishing uses; Community uses (local recreation, anchoring, food gathering); Community uses (local recreation, anchoring, food gathering); Aboriginal interests (claims, commercial uses, food fishery, cultural or traditional activities); Aboriginal interests (claims, commercial uses, food fishery, cultural or traditional activities);

Initial screening and evaluation Socio-economic Assessment Socio-economic Assessment –The socio-economic assessment determines how the establishment of a MPA may affect: Economic and transportation uses (oil and gas, minerals, sand and gravel, aquaculture, resort uses, shipping, docks, defence and maritime security interests, aircraft facilities); Economic and transportation uses (oil and gas, minerals, sand and gravel, aquaculture, resort uses, shipping, docks, defence and maritime security interests, aircraft facilities); Cultural, recreation, and tourism values and uses (seascapes or landscapes, wildlife viewing, shipwrecks, educational opportunities, recreational seashores or water areas). Cultural, recreation, and tourism values and uses (seascapes or landscapes, wildlife viewing, shipwrecks, educational opportunities, recreational seashores or water areas).