Scaling-up to MPA networks in the Coral Triangle: The Way Forward

Stuart Green, Alan White, Stacey Kilarski, Anna Meneses, Patrick Christie, Giselle Samonte-Tan, Leah Karrer, Helen Fox,

Stuart Campbell, John Claussen and Barbara Best

MPA network: collection of individual MPAs or reserves operating cooperatively and synergistically, at various

spatial scales with a range of protection levels designed to meet objectives that a single reserve cannot achieve

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

MPAs in the Coral Triangle (>1500)

MPAs created to:

1. Enhance fisheries production2. Generate income for communities3. Conserve biodiversity

Why focus on MPAs?Biophysical results known and provide

incentives for EBM/ICM--more fish in MPAs

Apo Reserve

Source: Russ and Alcala 2003

25

20

15

10

5

Den

sity

(no

./100

0m)

2

1983

1985

1987

1989

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

M arine m anagem ent Planfor entire island

Closed to F ishingfor 18 years

MPAs Build Resilience to Coral Bleaching and WarmingAverage for Six Sites Inside and Outside of Marine Sanctuaries

0%

100%

200%

300%

400%

500%

600%

700%

800%

900%

1000%

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2003

Year

Rel

ativ

e %

Cha

nge

in F

ish

Abu

ndan

ce

All Fish (IN) All Fish (OUT)

Coral Triangle and MPA network survey sites

1. Berau

2. Tubbataha

3. Wakatobi

4. Kimbe Bay

5. Karimunjawa

6. Cebu

Municipal jurisdictions with an evolving MPA network in Central Visayas

Coral triangle sites and meetings

Learning partnership among TNC, WWF, TNC, WWF, CI, WCS and USAID-CI, WCS and USAID- started in 2004 with

two overarching questions…1. “How can we effectively design,

implement, and manage representative and resilient MPA networks in tropical marine ecosystems?”

2. “What ecological, socioeconomic, and institutional principles, if met, will ensure that MPA networks provide enduring and effective conservation for marine diversity?”

Results from Survey: Level of impact of human Results from Survey: Level of impact of human activities and natural disturbancesactivities and natural disturbances

N = 94, * The mean difference is significant at 0.05 level

Stressors Disturbance

General illegal fishing*

Highest

Commercial fishing*

2nd Highest

Waste (plastics etc)*

3rd Highest

Chemical Poisoning—Live food fish*

4th Highest

Stressor Disturbance

Industrial Pollution*

4th Lowest

Coral Bleaching*

3rd Lowest

Typhoons* 2nd Lowest

Aquarium Fishing*

Lowest

Planning and Design Phase of MPA Development

“It is quite difficult to put places under certain management regimes as you think best, when you need to consider social / economic considerations of people living in the area”

- Main assisting NGO

Dependent and independent variables (strongest predictors)Dependent

variableIndependent variables

Correlation Coefficient (r)

Perceived increased fish catch

Sustainable financing for management 1 .412(**)

Clarity of MPA network rules .382(**)

Enforcement by community enforcers .487(**)

Local skills development .375(**)

Multi-stakeholder planning workshops .333(**)

Communication activities (e.g., film showings, photo exhibits) .327(**)

Involvement in management of traditional leaders / elders .313(*)

Involvement in management of local elected politicians .310(*)

Stakeholders’ participation in activities .290(*)

Involvement in management of police and law enforcement agencies

.284(*)

Trainings in MPA management and leadership development .282(*)

Participatory biophysical assessments .278(*)** Correlation is significant at the .01 level* Correlation is significant at the .05 level

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Dependent and independent variables found (cont’d.)

Dependent variable

Independent variablesCorrelation

Coefficient (r)

Perceived improved critical habitats in no-take zones

Local skills development .540(**)

Involvement in management of local elected politicians

.386(**)

Enforcement by community enforcers .518(**)

Stakeholders’ participation in activities .456(**)

Participatory biophysical assessments .403(**)

Clarity of MPA network rules .394(**)

Trainings in MPA management and leadership development

.322(*)

** Correlation is significant at the .01 level (2-tailed).* Correlation is significant at the .05 level (2-tailed).

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Results from workshop for 6 sites on ideal vs reality of MPA network implementation--2008

1. Ecology:• How to easily design for

resilience to climate change?• How to consider

connectivity issues in MPA network design?

• Evaluation of ecosystem services beyond fisheries

• Lack of effective biophysical monitoring with data management

…points in MPA workshop

2. Social and Governance:

• Devolution from national to local--governance

• Need for holistic conflict resolution

• Increased community engagement and participation

• More education to raise awareness

• Simpler regulations better than complex (zoning)

• Support comprehensive management plans

• More and better social and learning networks

…points: 3. Finance and economic returns

• Value coastal resources and return on investment to support buy-in

• Start sustainable financing early

• Broad economic development strategies• Financial support for integrated plans• Generate revenues thru MPAs, tours, etc.• Integrate alternative livelihood within ICM

Recurring Themes in the Coral Recurring Themes in the Coral Triangle areas surveyed in 2008Triangle areas surveyed in 2008

• Opportunities for capacity building of MPA managers & supporting governments and NGOs

• Lack of understanding of “network” among practitioners and scientists

• Use of known and accepted biophysical and social science lacking in design and implementation across most sites

• Need for basic planning and management within most to all MPAs before "networks" will be functional

Prerequisites to form MPA networks

• Need baseline information in sufficient detail (size, locations, habitat parameters, hydrology)

• Must have institution that operates at scale of potential network OR

• Institutions must be networked and coordinated

• Social networks must be formed• Monitoring capability and data

management system capability within institution at scale of management

Prerequisites to form MPA networks…

• Clarification on benefits of MPA networks for whom?

• MPA networks are beneficial in the eyes of scientists and those well versed in marine conservation, but…

• Must get local stakeholders on board with knowledge and motivation to support and implement

1970s 1980s 1990s2000’s

Command and control Co-managementEnvironmental

Governance

Although large investments exist in MPAs/networks—management effectiveness is

poor and apparent results from large areas under legal protection are not indicative of the actual level of management and conservation

being achieved

MPAs cannot succeed as islands in a complex coastal environment—they must be part of integrated management systems with interventions tailored to local needs and conditions

More on lessons from MPAs and MPA networks to build coastal and

biodiversity resilience in the Coral Triangle…

www.oneocean.orgwww.tnc.org

www.wwf.org www.ci.org

www.wcs.org