1. WWF-Canada and the Gulf of Maine Council Jennifer Smith Manager, GIS/Conservation Planning WWF-Canada Northwest Atlantic Ecoregion Program Salem, MA June 25 2008

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

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

4. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. Past work: building the case

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

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

13. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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