MPAs and CBD Marjo Vierros Secretariat Convention on Biological Diversity ICRI General Meeting Palau, 31 October - 2 November 2005

MPAs and CBD COP-7 (February 2004) - Updated programme of work on marine and coastal biodiversity, including new material and guidance on MPAs (decision VII/5) Agreement that MPAs work “Agrees that marine protected areas are one of the essential tools and approaches in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity”

MPAs and CBD COP-7 also adopted a programme of work on protected areas (decision VII/28) Established an Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on Protected Areas (first meeting in Montecatini, Italy, in June 2005)

Global target on MPAs World Summit on Sustainable Development: Representative networks by 2012 Same target adopted by CBD (decision VII/28): establishment by 2012 of comprehensive, effectively managed, ecologically representative national and regional systems of MPAs … Also: the CBD 2010 biodiversity challenge: “to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biological diversity”

CBD global goal for MPAs The establishment and maintenance of MPAs that are effectively managed, ecologically based and contribute to a global network of MPAs, building upon national and regional systems, including range of levels of protection, where human activities are managed, particularly through national legislation, regional programmes and policies, traditional and cultural practices and international agreements, to maintain the structure and functioning of a full range of marine and coastal ecosystems, in order to provide benefits to both present and future generations

Stakeholder participation “ Agrees that the full participation of indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders is important for achieving the global goal, and for establishment and maintenance of individual MPAs and national and regional networks…”

The national system 3 components: Areas managed for sustainable use, which may allow extractive uses Areas where extractive uses are excluded and other significant human pressures minimized (no-take) Sustainable management over the wider marine and coastal environment Balance between protection types applied according to a country’s unique circumstances This framework encompasses both the ecosystem approach and the precautionary approach

MPAs and coral bleaching Work Plan on coral bleaching: Some high priority actions: Identification of coral reef areas that exhibit resistance and/or resilience to raised sea temperatures (through, for example, coral reef monitoring programmes) Identification, development and testing of management regimes to enhance reef resilience, for example through highly protected MPAs Integrate bleaching resilience principles into MPA network design Reduce other localized stresses (water quality, overfishing, etc.)

Networks One MPA will not be able to protect all biodiversity within an area: a network approach is essential (2012 target) Representative of all marine & coastal ecosystems (including unique & special areas) Should contain sufficient area to be effective and ecologically viable Countries should complete by 2006 a protected area system gap analysis at national and regional levels A knowledge gap still exists: Countries have requested further technical advice related to network design and ecological coherence of networks

Network advice SBSTTA 13 (likely in 2007) and COP-9 (likely in 2008) will consider technical advice on MPA networks This should be practical advice to countries to help them reach the 2012 target CBD would like to ask ICRI´s assistance in developing such network advice as it relates to coral reefs

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