Charles M. Wahle, PhD Director MPA Science Institute National MPA Center NOAA July 26, 2006

1. Building the Scientific Foundation for an Effective Regional System of Marine Protected Areas:NOAA’s West Coast Pilot ProjectA Presentation to the NOAA Science Advisory Board Charles M. Wahle, PhD Director MPA Science Institute National MPA Center NOAA July 26, 2006

2. Outline • Purpose • Issue • Presentation of Briefing • National System of MPAs • West Coast Pilot: science and analysis • Opportunities for collaboration • NOAA Coordination and Views • Desired Outcome

3. Purpose To request the SAB to: • Provide input on the overall project design and outcomes of the West Coast Pilot project • Identify opportunities to integrate and leverage NOAA and external science in the region toward more integrated and effective place-based ecosystem management

4. Issues What are the key issues that are called to the SAB attention? • Integrating the WCP with other NOAA and external EAM efforts • Enhancing the human dimension of the WCP • Linking PacOOS and IOOS with place-based management needs

5. National System of MPAs: Rationale and Progress Rapid increase in use of MPAs led to Executive Order 13158. EO calls for an effective national system of MPAs meeting broad conservation and management goals, and built upon sound science and meaningful stakeholder input. EO directs NOAA and DOI to establish the MPA Center to coordinate activities related to the national system of MPAs. National system will comprise many existing MPAs as well as new sites, as needed, designated and managed by action agencies. NOAA has solicited input from MPA-FAC, federal and state agency partners, tribes, FMCs, industry and the public. National System concept described in the Framework document: out for public comment (July 2006).

6. Making It Real:NOAA’s West Coast Pilot Project • National system development process is an ambitious, decades-long effort to comprehensively address place-based ocean and Great Lakes management in United States waters. • MPA Center and its partners have selected the West Coast region to pilot the initiative. Lessons learned will be translated to other regions. • West Coast opportunities: • well understood ecosystems • multiple MPA initiatives • active stakeholder engagement • growing NOAA interests in ecosystem scale science • emerging leadership in regional coordination and governance

7. The West Coast Pilot: Goals, Outputs and Outcomes WA Goals • To facilitate the effective use of MPAs as an ecosystem management tool to conserve and protect important marine areas and resources on the west coast • To support the development of a regionally-based national system of MPAs. Outputs and Outcomes • A suite of tools, methods, and information for regional MPA planning and adaptive management that may be transferred to other regions. • An ongoing regional forum for west coast state, federal and tribal programs to efficiently coordinate their management of existing MPAs and collaboratively plan future conservation efforts. OR CA

8. West Coast Pilot Science and Analysis Components Outputs Data Layers Ecological Characterization Resources Cultural Resource Characterization Human Use Pattern Characterization Uses and Stressors ID Gaps in Protection Impacts of Human Uses Assessment Contribution of Existing MMA/MPAs Protection Governance Synthesis

9. Science and Analysis: Ecological Characterization Overview • Provide the comprehensive natural resource data necessary to support an ecosystem approach for developing a regional system of MPAs on the west coast. • Synthesis of existing biological, physical, and oceanographic information • From coastal estuaries out to 200 nautical miles Products • West coast ecological characterization • Multi-layered atlas • Ecological linkages report

10. Science and Analysis: Cultural Resource Characterization Overview • Standardized inventory of marine cultural resources. • Understanding historical and cultural connectivity within regional ecosystems. Products • Multi-layered atlas of cultural resources • Tools for assessing the historical and cultural connectivity of marine cultural resources • Tools for identifying marine cultural resources that are sensitive to natural or human induced changes. Photo: Robert Schwemmer Photo: NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program

11. Science and Analysis: Human Use Patterns Overview • Document spatial patterns of human use in the marine environment on the west coast • Begin building the baseline socioeconomic information needed to interpret those patterns and to inform regional planning Products • Multi-layered atlas of use activities based on existing data • Models for predicting use compatibilities and resource threats • Method and pilot project for collecting primary data on use patterns

12. Science and Analysis: Existing MPAs Overview • Document the location, purpose and type of protection offered by existing MMAs and MPAs. • Understand the potential contribution of existing MMAs/MPAs to regional and national conservational goals. • Understand the potential effects of existing MMAs/MPAs on ocean users. Products: • Reports describing patterns and implications of MPA usage on the west coast. • Web-based synthesis products and database.

13. Science and Analysis: Governance Overview • Understand the existing legal framework through which marine natural and cultural resources in the region are managed • Develop a comprehensive overview of marine protected area (MPA) policy authorities at the international, federal, state, and tribal levels. Products: • Searchable database of existing legislation • Geographic Information System (GIS) for west coast MPA jurisdictions.

14. Other Clients for WCP Data Diversity of Applications of Data Characterizations Current MPAs – monitoring adaptive management New MPAs - siting and design Traditional fisheries management Area-based fisheries management (e.g. EFH) Ecosystem approaches to management Ocean zoning and governance Ocean observations (PacOOS and IOOS) Emergency planning and response Ocean industries Energy development and siting Military operations Ecological Cultural Resources Human Use Patterns Impacts of Human Uses Existing MMAs / MPAs Governance

15. NOAA and External Coordination:Progress To Date • Growing partnerships within NOAA: • Sanctuaries • Fisheries • NERRS • NCCOS • NESDIS/NOCD/NCDDC • Kickoff workshop – June 2006 • Steering committee established • State, federal and tribal partners engaged • MPAFAC engaged • Project plans created • Data acquisition underway

16. Opportunities to Link WCP toNOAA Observing Systems • WCP as information source to OOS’s: • Data layers for initial characterizations (e.g. synthesis of existing GIS data) • Design criteria from site management perspective • WCP as information consumer: • Data layers for initial characterizations (e.g. human uses) • Management context for applying observations • Long-term monitoring of WC MPA system • Evaluation and adaptive management of MPA sites

17. Desired Outcome Request to SAB: • Informal input on overall project aims and plans • Informal guidance on opportunities to leverage ongoing efforts within and beyond NOAA to better understand and manage west coast marine ecosystems

18. National System Goals National System Goals • Goal 1. Advance comprehensive conservation and management of the Nation’s marine natural and cultural heritage, and sustainable production marine resources through ecosystem-based MPA approaches. • Goal 2. Promote sound stewardship and improve the effectiveness of the National System. • Goal 3. Enhance effective coordination and integration among the National System and within the broader ecosystem management context.

19. Implementing the Final Framework • Identify and nominate existing federal, state and tribal sites for national system (end of 2007) • Scope out regional efforts with participating sites and other partners • Identify shared stewardship priorities and build initiatives • Collaboratively develop science, tools, & ID ecosystem-based gaps