MPAs and MPA Networks: 

Progress in the U.S. and Internationally

Joseph A. Uravitch, A.I.C.P. DirectorNational Marine Protected Area Center   National Ocean Service Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management

Annie HillaryInternational Affairs Specialists International Program OfficeNation Ocean Service

May 24, 2007

Progress in the U.S.

Priority MPA Center Tasks - 1• Develop the Framework for a National System of MPAs - A

common sense approach for MPA programs, partners, and stakeholders to work together to better use MPAs to conserve and sustain marine resources

• Adaptive and flexible

• Partnership driven to support existing efforts and improve future decisions through collaboration/cooperation

• States, Territories, Tribes and federal agencies are FULL partners.

• Promotes ecosystem and regional approaches, while maintaining a national outlook

• Inclusive: recognizes valuable contributions from the nation’s many sites and program

Framework: Where are we now?

2005-2006

Nation-widemeetings togather inputfor the draftFramework

Development

of draft Frameworkdocument

FACReportJune 2005

Sept. 2006 –Feb. 2007

Draft Framework

Available forPublic

Comment

2007

Revise draftFramework andpublish formal

responses,based on commentsreceived

Publish final Framework by

end of 2007

2008

Beginimplementation

of finalFramework

to build NationalSystem of MPAs

FACComments

Feb. 2007

FACProducts

April 2007

FACInputOct.

2007 &Beyond

You are here!

Draft Framework Comments• Five month comment period

ended Feb. 28, 2007

• 102 individual comments (>11,000 emails) from:– State and tribal governments– Conservation and industry organizations– Private individuals– Commercial and rec fishers/industry– FAC and members– Fishery councils and commissions– Academia– Other

Comment Overview• Comments were received on nearly every

aspect of the framework– E.g., goals, definitions, nomination process, state/tribal roles, avoid

harm, monitoring, etc.– Some commenters simply noted that ‘MPAs are unwanted in their

backyard’

• Represent the full range of possible perspectives on the framework and national system

– Not needed good as proposed needs improvement

• Preliminarily identified some big picture issues for reconsideration

Big Picture Issues• Scope of the system

– attempting to achieve all encompassing goals/objectives, all at once

– little to no prioritization

• Size of the system– large number of sites could render ineffective– Inclusiveness is, however, important

• Stronger emphasis on identifying and filling gaps (new areas) in addition to existing sites

• Better process for identifying and providing priority support to participating MPAs

Framework: Draft Final Implementation

• Spring/Summer 2007: Revise Framework and develop response to comments

• Late 2007: NOAA and DOI publish Final Framework MPA Center

• Early 2008: MPA Center and MPA programs begin to identify existing, eligible MPAs and consult regarding nomination to national system

Priority Project – 2: West Coast Pilot Science and Analysis Components

Cultural Resource Characterization

Human Use Pattern Characterization

Impacts of Human Uses Assessment

Contribution of Existing MMA/MPAs

Governance Synthesis

Ecological Characterization

Uses andStressors

Resources

Protection

ID Gaps in Protection

Data Layers Outputs

A growing partnership of NOAA programs, states, tribes, NGOs

West Coast MMAs:Overlapping Boundaries

Layers of Protection?

- Overlapping MMA boundaries are common

- Some areas contain up to 6 layered sites

- Overlapping MMAs account for 33K km2

- 8% of all WC MMA waters has > 1 site

- Some jurisdictional overlays add little new protection

Warning: Abrupt Change Of Gears --Regional Trends in MMA Use

• 269 MMAs off West Coast– CA, WA, OR

• Combination of federal, state and local sites

• Many MMAs span state and federal waters

• Recent addition of EFH Sites radically changes the marine landscape of spatial protection

• Most established after 1970’s with another big increase in 2000’s

Area Covered By No Take MMAs on the West Coast

Selected International Linkages

North America (U.S. – CD – MX)•Commission on Environmental Cooperation

North American MPA Network development• Security and Prosperity Partnership

MPA Information & Strategy Sharing •Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management

Arctic Treaty - Arctic MPA Network(No action defined, 2007

Is Year of the Arctic)

Gulf of Maine Council

Pacific Island MPA Community- U.S. Islands & Freely Associated States UNEP Caribbean

- Joint MPA inventoryunder discussion

Convention on Biological Diversity• Developing U.S. National MPA System to meet 2012 Global MPA Network guidelines• Participating in preparation of international guidebook for development of MPA Systems with IUCN

Progress Progress InternationallyInternationally

Global Awareness and Support Global Awareness and Support for Establishing MPA Networksfor Establishing MPA Networks

• Range of political commitments to Range of political commitments to develop MPAs networksdevelop MPAs networks

• Progress is being made in Progress is being made in establishing individual/group of MPAsestablishing individual/group of MPAs

• Scientific evidence and acceptance Scientific evidence and acceptance for a core group of principles for a core group of principles common language and core group of common language and core group of principlesprinciples

World Summit on Sustainable World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), 2002Development (WSSD), 2002

• Develop and facilitate the use of diverse Develop and facilitate the use of diverse approaches and tools, including the ecosystem approaches and tools, including the ecosystem approach, the elimination of destructive fishing approach, the elimination of destructive fishing practices, the establishment of marine protected practices, the establishment of marine protected areas consistent with international law and based areas consistent with international law and based on scientific information, including on scientific information, including representative representative networks by 2012networks by 2012 and time/area closures for the and time/area closures for the protection of nursery grounds and periods, proper protection of nursery grounds and periods, proper coastal land-use and watershed planning and the coastal land-use and watershed planning and the integration of marine and coastal areas integration of marine and coastal areas management into key sectors.”management into key sectors.”

Establish by 2012 a global system of …. Establish by 2012 a global system of …. marine and coastal protected areas...marine and coastal protected areas...

– these networks should be extensive and these networks should be extensive and include strictly protected areas that amount to include strictly protected areas that amount to at least 20-30% of each habitat, and at least 20-30% of each habitat, and contribute to a global target for healthy and contribute to a global target for healthy and productive oceans;productive oceans;

55thth World Parks Congress, South Africa World Parks Congress, South Africa 20032003

G8 Group of Nations G8 Group of Nations Statement, Evian 2003Statement, Evian 2003

• Establish ecosystem Establish ecosystem networks of marine networks of marine protected areas, consistent protected areas, consistent with international law and with international law and based on scientific based on scientific information by 2012 in our information by 2012 in our own waters and regions, own waters and regions, and work with others to and work with others to achieve the same in theirsachieve the same in theirs

Convention on Biological Diversity Convention on Biological Diversity 2004 (COP72004 (COP7))

• By 2012: complete By 2012: complete the establishment the establishment of comprehensive of comprehensive and ecologically and ecologically representative representative national and national and regional systems of regional systems of MPAs.MPAs.

Where are we now?Where are we now?

• Political commitments to developing networks of Political commitments to developing networks of MPAsMPAs

• Practical progress at establishing individual/group of Practical progress at establishing individual/group of MPAsMPAs

• Core principles exist (e.g. representative, permanent, Core principles exist (e.g. representative, permanent, replicated)replicated)

• Global network targets are being developedGlobal network targets are being developed

• Now need to build capacity to move from sites Now need to build capacity to move from sites • to networksto networks

Key ChallengeKey Challenge

• How to transform these How to transform these commitments into practical actions commitments into practical actions that go beyond the establishment of that go beyond the establishment of single or groups on MPA sites.single or groups on MPA sites.

National MPA TargetsNational MPA TargetsCountryCountry Area to be protected Area to be protected Target Target

datedate

PalauPalau 30% of near shore marine 30% of near shore marine ecosystemsecosystems

20202020

Fed States of Fed States of MicronesiaMicronesia

30% of near shore marine 30% of near shore marine ecosystemsecosystems

20202020

Marshall Marshall IslandsIslands

30% of near shore marine 30% of near shore marine ecosystemsecosystems

20202020

GuamGuam 30% of near shore marine 30% of near shore marine ecosystemsecosystems

20202020

Northern Northern MarianasMarianas

30% of near shore marine 30% of near shore marine ecosystemsecosystems

20202020

FijiFiji 30% of near shore marine 30% of near shore marine ecosystemsecosystems

20152015

National MPA TargetsNational MPA TargetsBahamasBahamas 20% Marine ecosystem for 20% Marine ecosystem for

fisheries replenishmentfisheries replenishment

GrenadaGrenada 25% Near shore marine resources25% Near shore marine resources 20202020

CubaCuba 22% Continental shelf22% Continental shelf(?15% of its insular shelf, 25% of (?15% of its insular shelf, 25% of

coral reef areas and 25% of coral reef areas and 25% of each subtype of wetland)each subtype of wetland)

JamaicaJamaica 50% 50%

MadagascarMadagascar 10%10% 20082008

TanzaniaTanzania 10% of sea10% of sea20% of sea20% of sea

2010201020252025

National MPA TargetsNational MPA Targets

South Africa 20%

Indonesia 20% 2013

Philippines 10% 2020

Chile 10% 2006

Australia

S. Australia 19 MPAs 2010

Germany 38%

Micronesia ChallengeMicronesia Challenge

• Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Guam and Northern Marshall Islands, Guam and Northern Marianas Islands pledged to protect 30% Marianas Islands pledged to protect 30% of their near shore waters by 2020. of their near shore waters by 2020.

• American Samoa is aiming to protect 20% American Samoa is aiming to protect 20% of its reefs as no-take areas by 2010of its reefs as no-take areas by 2010

West Africa – Regional West Africa – Regional Strategy for MPAs, Vision Strategy for MPAs, Vision StatementStatement

• To create: “To create: “an effective network of an effective network of MPAs in West Africa with MPAs in West Africa with participatory management, led by participatory management, led by strong institutions contributing to the strong institutions contributing to the sustainable development of the sustainable development of the region by enhancing natural and region by enhancing natural and cultural diversitycultural diversity”.”.

Natura 2000Natura 2000

• EU Member States required to EU Member States required to designate –designate –

– Special Areas of ConservationSpecial Areas of Conservation– Special Protected AreasSpecial Protected Areas– Appy an ecological based network Appy an ecological based network

development approachdevelopment approach

MPA Network In Chile

• The conservation areas have a national objectives framed in the National Biodiversity Strategy

• MPAs have to be represented by key marine species of the Chilean Coast (e.g. charismatic, endemic, threatened)

• Mostly divided into three types: • No-take • Management areas (for fishermen

community management)• MPAs of multiple use ((e.g. tourism

allowed) • Applies an ecosystem based approach

• Community participation is a requirement

Tanzania “Blueprint 2050”Tanzania “Blueprint 2050”

• Priority Area for MPA’s Priority Area for MPA’s and MMA Network in and MMA Network in TanzaniaTanzania

• Globally and Regionally Globally and Regionally important seascape important seascape areas (EAME), ACEP, areas (EAME), ACEP, Transboundary areas Transboundary areas with Kenya and with Kenya and MozambiqueMozambique

Great Barrier Reef AustraliaGreat Barrier Reef Australia

• MPA networks must MPA networks must include examples include examples of of the full range of the full range of biological diversity biological diversity (from genes to (from genes to ecosystems); andecosystems); and

• The associated The associated

oceanographic oceanographic environment within environment within the given areathe given area

Establishing Marine Establishing Marine Protected Area Networks:  Protected Area Networks: 

Making It HappenMaking It Happen

Key aspects of building MPA networks

sustainable financing

setting MPA networksin a broader context

economic & social considerationsspatial & temporal considerations

scientific & information management considerationsinstitutional & governance considerations

best practices for planning and implementation

ecological design criteria

Making it happen

politicalwill &

leadership

compliance &enforcement

monitoring &assessment

public education,communication

& awareness

sustainable financing

Eight Ecological Design Eight Ecological Design Principles for building MPA Principles for building MPA NetworksNetworks

• RepresentativenessRepresentativeness

• ReplicationReplication

• ViabilityViability

• Precautionary designPrecautionary design

• PermanencePermanence

• Maximum connectivityMaximum connectivity

• ResilienceResilience

• Size and shapeSize and shape

Best Practice for Planning and Best Practice for Planning and ImplementationImplementation

• Clearly define objectives Clearly define objectives

• Establish long-term political commitment Establish long-term political commitment and willand will

• Encourage stakeholder participationEncourage stakeholder participation

• Make best use of available information Make best use of available information

• Develop integrated management Develop integrated management frameworks frameworks

• Employ adaptive management techniques Employ adaptive management techniques

Making MPA Networks Happen Making MPA Networks Happen and Achieve Goalsand Achieve Goals

• Political will and leadershipPolitical will and leadership

• Public education, communication and Public education, communication and awarenessawareness

• Monitoring and assessmentMonitoring and assessment

• Sustainable financing Sustainable financing

• Compliance and enforcement Compliance and enforcement

Special ThanksSpecial Thanks

The NOAA Team:The NOAA Team:

• Annie HillaryAnnie Hillary

• Victoria WedellVictoria Wedell

• Daphne PeeDaphne Pee

• Gonzalo CidGonzalo Cid

• Anne WaltonAnne Walton

• John ParksJohn Parks

Contributors to the ReportContributors to the Report

• Dan Laffoley, WCPA – Marine Vice Chair, Dan Laffoley, WCPA – Marine Vice Chair, and Head of Marine Conservation, English and Head of Marine Conservation, English NatureNature

• Ghislaine Llewellyn, WWF-Australia, Ghislaine Llewellyn, WWF-Australia, Program Manager OceansProgram Manager Oceans

• Scott E. Smith, Senior Marine Policy Scott E. Smith, Senior Marine Policy Advisor, The Nature ConservancyAdvisor, The Nature Conservancy

• Jon Day, Director, Conservation, Heritage Jon Day, Director, Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships, Great Barrier and Indigenous Partnerships, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park AuthorityReef Marine Park Authority

IUCN WebsiteIUCN Website

•http://www.iucn.org/themes/http://www.iucn.org/themes/wcpa/biome/marine/wcpa/biome/marine/mpanetworks/networks.htmlmpanetworks/networks.html

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!