Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee Gil Radonski

1. Marine Protected AreasFederal Advisory CommitteeGil Radonski Presentation for the Saltwater Recreational Fishing Meeting April 14, 2005

2. Origins • Authorized by Executive Order 13158, Marine Protected Areas • Provide “expert advice and recommendations of non-Federal scientists, resource managers and other interested persons and organizations…” on Section 4 (b) National System of MPAs • Reports to both Dept of Commerce and the Interior

3. MPA Federal Advisory Committee • 30 Non-Federal Membersfrom industry, academia, NGOs, states and tribes • 10 Federal Ex Officio members from agencies with MPA interests [links to Sec 4 (a) consultation requirement]

4. Progress • First met in June 2003 • Established three Subcommittees: • National System of MPAs • Stewardship and Effectiveness • National and Regional Coordination of MPA Efforts • Established ad hoc Workgroup on Cultural Resources

5. Progress, cont. • Heard from many stakeholder groups • Full FAC integrated Subcommittee reports into a single Draft Report to be finalized by June 2005

6. Key Elements of FAC Report • National System Goal, Objectives and Definitions • Guiding Principles for National System • Proposed Structure for National System

7. Draft Goal for the National System of MPAs • To provide effective stewardship, lasting protection, and sustainable use of the nation’s natural and cultural marine resources.

8. Draft Objectives for the National System of MPAs • Conserve/restore marine biodiversity • Conserve/restore representative examples of the nation’s marine ecosystems and habitats • Protect areas vital to the conservation of particular species (e.g. spawning and nursery grounds) • Protect cultural resources • Raise awareness and knowledge of marine and coastal resources • Strengthen existing ocean management frameworks

9. Draft Guiding Principlesfor the National System • Primary responsibility must lie with existing authorities • Planning and nomination processes for the national system must be transparent and science-based • Citizens, tribes and government agencies at the local and regional level must be an integral part of the process • Provide incentives for participation • Foster compliance through education, incentives and enforcement to enhance effectiveness • Respect state, territorial and tribal sovereignty

10. Draft Structure and Processfor the National System • National entity to establish criteria, objectives, guidelines and policies • Regional entities (federal agencies, states, tribes and other groups) to: • Establish regional goals and priorities • Facilitate a nomination process for existing and new sites • Facilitate regional coordination of MPA sites

11. Next Steps for FAC - 2005 • May: • FAC meets to discuss draft report and adopt recommendations as a full Committee • June: • Adopt final report and recommendations and transmit to the Secretaries of Commerce & Interior • DOC and DOI give FAC new charge for 2005-07 (including ongoing input to national system development)

12. LIMITATIONS : Sec. 4. National System of MPAs. (a) To the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations. . .

13. MARINE PROTECTED AREAS : Tools for sustaining ocean ecosystems Committee on the Evaluation, Design, and Monitoring of Marine Reserves and Protected Areas in the United States Edward Houde, Chair National Academy of Sciences 2001 National Academy Press, Washington DC

14. . . .from the Executive Summary • “MPAs, areas designated for special protection to enhance the management of marine resources, show promise as components of an ecosystem-based approach for conserving the ocean’s living assets. However, MPA proposals often raise significant controversy, especially the provision for marine reserves – zones within an MPA where removal or disturbance of resources is prohibited, sometimes referred to as closed areas or “no-take” areas.”

15. . . .from the Executive Summary • “MPA-based approaches will shift the focus from agency-specific problem management to interagency cooperation for implementing marine policies that recognize the spatial heterogeneity of marine habitats and the need to preserve the structure of marine ecosystems.”

16. . . .from the Executive Summary • “Integration of management across the array of federal and state agencies will be needed to develop a national system of MPAs that effectively and efficiently conserves marine resources and provides equitable representation for the diversity of groups with interests in the sea.”

17. ACCESS • Access to and the utilization of the resources within an MPA can only be denied if it can be demonstrated that traditional management techniques (gear limitations, quota/bag limits, size limits, seasonal closed areas, etc.) will not provide a level of protection to ensure the stated goal of the MPA.

18. …shall develop a national system of MPAs (Sec 4) : • (1) science-based identification and prioritization of natural and cultural resources for additional protection; • (2) integrated assessments of ecological linkages among MPAs, including ecological reserves in which consumptive uses of resources are prohibited, to provide synergistic benefits; • (3) a biological assessment of the minimum area where consumptive uses would be prohibited that is necessary to preserve representative habitats in different geographic areas of the marine environment; • (4) an assessment of threats and gaps in levels of protection currently afforded to natural and cultural resources, as appropriate; • (5) practical, science-based criteria and protocols for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of MPAs; • (6) identification of emerging threats and user conflicts affecting MPAs and appropriate, practical, and equitable management solutions, including effective enforcement strategies, to eliminate or reduce such threats and conflicts; • (7) assessment of the economic effects of the preferred management solutions; and • (8) identification of opportunities to improve linkages with, and technical assistance to, international marine protected area programs.