Marine Protected Areas Flashcards
1
Q
What federal bodies utilize Marine Protected Areas ( MPAs) vs National Marine Conservation Area(NMCA)?
A
- DFO
- Parks Canada
- *need to differentiate the two.
2
Q
Why do MPAs lag behind terrestrial areas for conservation targets ?
A
- perception of land is different bc of greater freq of use
- early practical constraints to establishing spatial regions of the sea vs ownership of land and the history of land vs ocean ownership in Canada
3
Q
What are the guiding principles for MPA?
A
- Integrated management
L> socio-economic dev + conservation objectives - Ecosystem based management approach
L> considération of areas surrounding MPA and associated mgmt 9ecosystem approach ) - Adaptive Management Approach
- Precautionary Principles
4
Q
What is integrated management? (MPAs)
A
- DFO: a comprehensive way fo planning and managing human activities so that they do not conflict with one another and so all factors are considered for conservation and sustainable use of marine resources and shared sues of ocean spaces
5
Q
Give a brief overview of the current Canadian context with respect to marine areas.
A
- Canada has the longest coastline in the world and marine areas = 2/3 of Canada’s land mass (SO it is critical to conserve these areas)
- Oceans represent an area of growth and sig economic potential
- a lot of comp for ocean space for access, resource extraction, displacement of traditional users
- increasing risks with respect to invasive species, habitat degradation, noise
6
Q
What key landmark happened in 2010 for the protection of marine areas?
A
- meeting of the conference of the parties of the United Nations convention o biological diversity resulted in an international target to conserve 10 percent of costal and marine areas by 2020
7
Q
Within a Canadian context, what occurred in 2011 wrt MPAs?
A
- Canada released the national framework for Canada’s Network of Marine Protected Areas. This framework provided a strategic direction for the design of a national network of MPAs that will e composed of 13 bioregional networks
8
Q
What are the three goals of Canada’s National Framework for Canada’s Network of MPAs?
A
- Long term protection of marine biodiversity, ecosystem function and special natural features. ***** he had this in bold **
- Conservation and management of Canada’s living marine resources and their habitats and the socio economic values and ecosystem services they provide.
- Enhance public awareness and appreciation of Canada’s marine environments and rich maritime history and culture
9
Q
What jurisdictional body is responsible for the National Framework for Canada’s Network of MPAs?
A
- led by DFO
- initiatives by EC and PC
10
Q
What responsibilities does Canada’s Oceans Act (1996) provide to the involved Federal Departments?
A
- DFO
- responsible for coordinating development and implementation of a national network of marine protected areas.
- conserve and protect: commercial and non commercial fish, marine mammals and their habitat; endangered or threatened marine sp and habitat; marine areas of unique or high biodiversity or biological productivity
11
Q
What responsibilities are imposed by the Fisheries Act (1985) to DFO?
A
- responsible for regulating the fisheries in all federal marine protected areas
12
Q
How does Parks Canada contribute towards MPAs?
A
- they have mandate to establish National Marine Conservation Areas to protect and conserve representative examples of Canvas natural and cultural marine heritage and provide opportunities for public education and enjoyment
13
Q
How does Environment Canada contribute towards MPAs?
A
- they have a mandate to protect habitat for a variety of wildlife including migratory birds and species at risk
- includes MBS + NWA (National Wildlife Areas) + MWA
14
Q
Give an overview of the federal agencies, relevant legislation and program focus for Marine Protected Areas in Canada.
A
- DFO : They establish MPAs to protect and conserve commercial and non commercial fishery resources, including marine mammals, and their habitats; endangered or threatened marine species, and their habitats; unique habitats; marine areas of high biodiversity or biological productivity; or any other marine resource or habitat necessary to fulfill the mandate of the Minister. This all complies under the Oceans Act + Fisheries Act
- Parks Canada: Creates National marine Conservation Areas to protect and conserve a representative sampling of Canada’s natural and cultural marine heritage and provide opportunities for public education and enjoyment. This complies under Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act.
- Environment Canada: establishes National Wildlife Areas to protect and conserve habitat for a variety of wildlife including migratory birds and endangered species for the purposes of conservation, research and interpretation. Complies to the Canada Wildlife Act. Includes: Marine wildlife Areas, National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries
15
Q
What are the key features of the Oceans Act (1996)?
A
- DFO is responsible
- Based on an ecosystem approach
- integrated management of oceans and marine resources
- national strategy for the management of marine ecosystems
16
Q
What DFO waters are involved in the MPA process?
A
- Marine Bioregions (13)
L> each share common overarching goals and principles. There are five priority bioregions (ex: Pacific Northern Shelf, Western Arctic, Newfoundland Labrador Shelves, Scotian Shelf and Gulf of St. Lawrence) - Ecologically and biologically significant areas (100+)
- Marine protected areas (7)
L> protected under Oceans Act - Areas of interest (8)
L> future MPAs
17
Q
What is an MPA network?
A
- a collection of individual MPAs and other conservation measure sin diff geographic locations, designed to work together in order to fulfill ecological objectives more effectively and comprehensively the individual sites could do alone.
- This includes DFO, EC and PC all coordinating together to work out strategic plans
18
Q
What are the 3 objectives of MPA network bioregions?
A
- protect spatially separate but highly linked habitats and sp and communities that depend on them
- a strategic approach to facilitate proactive systems design and planning , replacing previous case by case assessments
- network design can give industry increased certainty when making investment decisions
19
Q
What are ecologically and Biologically Significant areas ? (EBSAs). List three of the seven criteria.
A
- general: these are spatially defined areas that provide important services either to one or more sp or populations in an ecosystem OR to the ecosystem as a whole.
- *managed with higher degree of risk aversion
- special importance for life history stages of species (breeding grounds, spawning areas, artists of migrating species)
- Importance for threatened endangered or declining species and or habitats (critical habitat)
- Areas that are vulnerable, fragile, sensitive or slow to recover (ex: species with low reproductive rate; corals and sponges with structures that provide benthic habitats
20
Q
How are MPAs established and managed under the Oceans Act (1996)?
A
- Select an area of interest (AOI)
- conduct overview and assessment of AOI
- Develop draft regulatory intent
- consult with stakeholders and finalize regulatory intent and cost benefit overview
- develop regulations for MPA designation
- Manage marine protected area . Develop and implement a management plan for mangling the MPA ad implementing the MPA regulations
21
Q
How many IUCN MPA categories are there? Explain the core areas.
A
- 7 in total that follow a decrease in ecological protection
- Category Ia - Strict nature reserve (managed mainly for science)
- Category Ib - wilderness area (managed for wilderness protection)
- Category II - National park (managed for ecosystem protection
**four more follow after these with lower ecological protection.
22
Q
Canada has adopted IUCN MPA definition for dev of national network of MPAs . Explain how this feeds into the establishment of MPAs.
A
- An MPA must contains several IUCN categories w/ several management objectives. To be a legitimate MPA, it MUST contain areas of higher protection (IUCN Category I core areas) to protect habitat for species in the MPA. Some governments have declared MPAs using Category VI alone (managed via resource protected area..for sustainable use of ecosystem) , without including areas with a higher level of protection or change in management regime of the area
23
Q
What is the IUCN definition of MPA?
A
- a clearly defined geographical space recognized , dedicated, and amazed trough legal or other effective means to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.
24
Q
Provide an example of different integration of IUCN protection categories for MPAs within a Canadian context.
A
- Hecate Strait Glass sponge reef MPA
-This area was proposed to be an MPA under the Oceans Act. - Contains the only living example of large glass sponge reefs that were abundant in the Jurassic period.
- Sponge reefs are known to provide refuge , habitat and nursery grounds for many sp, like the commercially important rock fish sp and other fin fish and shellfish sp. Also provide water filtration
- skeletons are made of silica, so they are v fragile and vulnerable to direct physical contact and indirect effects of sedimentation
- 2010: Minister approved AOI proposal
- 2015: Gov Canada formalized its intent to establish an MPA here
L> pre published the regulations and regulatory impact statement to allow for public comments. Still discussing these to see how to move forward.
**Incorporates all three core IUCN areas
25
What are the three boundaries of MPAs wrt glass sponge reefs?
1. Core protection zone (CPZ), highest amount of protection, addresses risk of direct impacts to structural habitat, biodiveristy and ecosystem function of glass sponge reefs via prohibition of bottom contact activities.
2. Vertical adaptive management zone (VAMZ)
L> water column above CPZ, addresses risk of indirect impacts to the structural habitat, biodiversity and ecosystem function through the adaptive management of allowed human activities in the zone
3. Adaptive management zone (AMZ) surrounds CPZ addresses risk of indirect impacts to structural habit,t biodiversity and ecosystem function via adaptive management of allied human activity in the zone. . Established to provide the ability for migration of indirect impacts on the reefs over time.
26
What are the key features of the National marine Conservation Areas Act (2002)?
- Gov Canada utilizes precautionary principle , so lack of scientific certainty is not used as treason for postponing preventative measures
- provide opportunities for people in Canada and of the world to appreciate and enjoy Canada's natural and cultural marine heritage
- Recognize that the marine environment is fundamental to the social, cultural and economic well being of coastal communities
27
The NMCA program is designed to?
- represent the diversity of Canada's oceanic and Great Lakes environments **bold here**
L> protect ecological processes, encourage research and monitoring, protect species at risk (extra points)
- provide for marine interpretation and recreation **bold here**
**basically are national parks for marine landscape..focus is mainly on representing biogeographic regions and preserving natural landscapes for human enjoyment
28
Explain the case study of Gwaii Haanas NMCA.
- expansion of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve
- Agreement btwn Gov Canada, BC and Council of Haida Nation for the proposal of the NMCA
- Four major oil companies relinquished their petroleum leases within the boundaries of the proposed NMCA and publicly supported the proposal
- In 2010 the agreement was signed, expanding the cooperative management partnership to include representation from DFO (SO no PC and DFO)
- During this whole process PC conducted the scientific studies to support the establishment of the NMCA and management
- World Wildlife Fund and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society had on going discussions with Haida Nation during this process
** seen as a success for NMCA dev and co management
29
What federal critique was provided for MPA/NMCA progress in Canada?
- lengthy timelines and lagging implementation relative to terrestrial areas.
- Commissioner of Env and Sustainable Dev progress check in: at the current rate of progress it will take many decades to establish a fully functioning MPA network and achieve the targets established in 2010 from the CBD
- Due to consultation with multiple authorities and stakeholders, the establishment process takes years if not decades to complete
L> ex: It took more than 20 years to establish he Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve
30
What barriers have been identified in a 2005 audit by the commissioner of Env and Sustainable Dev for MPAs?
- lack of will or weak commitment to MPAs at federal level
- difficulties in resolving conflicting interests of stakeholders
- insufficient resources (financial and human)
31
What barriers have been identified in a 2012 audit by the commissioner of Env and Sustainable Dev for MPAs?
- prolonged jurisdictional negotiations including unresolved land claims
- competing interests of stakeholders
- poor understanding by Canadians of the env and socio economic befits of MPAs
- lengthy legislative and regulatory processes
- budget cuts
- lack of science detailing the benefits of marine conservation
32
What lessons were learned from MPAs and integrated Ocean Management in Canada from the Guenette and Alder 2007 paper wrt slow progression?
1. inadequate funding
2. Large amount of time needed to negotiate
3. Time intensive data collection and consultation process
4. MPAs tend to be proposed in contentious areas (fisheries, industrial dev sites)
5. Access to fishery resource always a contentious issue, DFO is slow to decide how to deal with this in MPAs
**exam q on this? **
33
What lessons were learned from MPAs and integrated Ocean Management in Canada from the Guenette and Alder 2007 paper wrt common elements in successful MPAs?
1. Overarching role of strong leadership , from community and/or lead agency
2. role of NGOs ...they force the gov, stakeholders and general public to think about conservation. Instrumental in gaining public opinion
