Spatial Decision-Support for National Marine Conservation Areas in the Southern Strait of Georgia and Gwaii Haanas

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Henry Dickerson
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1 Spatial Decision-Support for National Marine Conservation Areas in the Southern Strait of Georgia and Gwaii Haanas Lindsay McBlane Krista Royle Greg MacMillan Photo: Mark Hiebert Western and Northern Service Centre Parks Canada

2 Presentation Outline A. Introduction - NMCAs - Projects Purpose - Marxan - Development of a Zoning Plan B. Project Tasks - Develop Operation Principles - Collate Biophysical Data - Collate Socio-Economic Data - Identify Areas that are important to conserve marine biodiversity C. The Road Ahead Photo: Lindsay McBlane

network of marine conservation areas across Canada NMCAs will have multiple use

Includes seabed, subsoil and water column.

3 What is an NMCA? The NMCA Act was passed in 2002 which provides the mechanism to establish a network of marine conservation areas across Canada NMCAs will have multiple use zones includeing fully protected and ecologically sustainable use. Includes seabed, subsoil and water column. Non-renewable resource exploration and extraction will be prohibited Any modifications to fishing or marine navigation/safety requires an agreement with the respective managing authority. Photos: Lindsay McBlane

5 Introduction The purpose of these projects is to aid in the (1) Identification of areas of high conservation values (2) Identification of areas of importance to resource use and visitor experience (3) Delineation of options for fully protected zones (4) Assist in the creation of a zoning plan Photos: Tomas Tomascik

6 What is Marxan? Globally recognized decision-support tool Developed by researchers at the University of Queensland to deliver decision support for conservation area design What does Marxan do? Identifies a group of sites which meet conservation targets for a range of biodiversity features for a minimal cost Marxan scores various combinations of areas (planning units) that could potentially contribute to the conservation area. Marxan does not provide final answers but it is a tool that is used to support decision-making

Benefits of using Marxan Supports a systematic, transparent and scientific approach to NMCA design Able to incorporate different kinds of data Generates

7 Benefits of using Marxan Supports a systematic, transparent and scientific approach to NMCA design Able to incorporate different kinds of data Generates a range of solutions Solves complex reserve design problems involving a large amount of data User defined data, conservation targets, and input parameters

8 Tasks involved in the Development 1 of a Zoning Plan Project Team

9 Task 1: Develop Operating Principles Step A: Develop Biophysical Operating Principles Ensure representation of all ecosystems and conservation elements Ensure representivity of special or unique places, attributes or processes Photos: Tomas Tomascik

10 Task 1: Develop Operating Principles Step B: Develop Social, Economic, Cultural Operating Principles Minimize negative socio-economic impacts on stakeholders and local communities Have a consultative process

of habitats, biological features and distinctive

11 Task 2: Collate Biophysical Data Step A: Create List of Conservation Features Ensure a broad range of habitats, biological features and distinctive areas are protected in fully protected zones Photo: Mark

12 Task 2: Collate Biophysical Data Step B: Collate/Prepare Habitat Data

13 Task 2: Collate Biophysical Step C: Collate Biological Data

14 Task 3: Collate Socio-Economic & Cultural Data Data Includes: Recreational Uses Commercial Uses Marine and Foreshore Tenures Cultural Sites Public Values

Task 4: Identify Areas that are Important to Conserve Marine Biodiversity Step A: Set Conservation Targets Tell Marxan how much of each feature to capture in the solution Approach based on

15 Task 4: Identify Areas that are Important to Conserve Marine Biodiversity Step A: Set Conservation Targets Tell Marxan how much of each feature to capture in the solution Approach based on recommendations from the NMCA Science Network Targets for habitat features were governed by natural marine region distribution Targets for biological features were more aggressive if species and habitats are rare or provincially listed (blue or red) and not widely distributed within the boundary of the NMCA Photo: Mark Hiebert

16 Task 4: Identify Areas that are Important to Conserve Marine Biodiversity Step B: Prepare Marxan Divide Study Area into Planning Units Record amount of each biophysical feature in each planning unit Sensitivity Test Marxan input parameters

Task 4: Identify Areas that are Important to Conserve Marine Biodiversity Step C: Run Marxan First iteration of the Marxan analysis Marxan was run 400 times in order to

17 Task 4: Identify Areas that are Important to Conserve Marine Biodiversity Step C: Run Marxan First iteration of the Marxan analysis Marxan was run 400 times in order to create a range of options The map shows the number of times each planning area was selected Reveals the relative importance of different areas in meeting our representation mandate

Task 4: Identify Areas that are Important to Conserve Marine Biodiversity Step D: Interpret Marxan Results The yellow areas efficiently represent a wide range of habitats, species, and distinctive

18 Task 4: Identify Areas that are Important to Conserve Marine Biodiversity Step D: Interpret Marxan Results The yellow areas efficiently represent a wide range of habitats, species, and distinctive areas Not all areas with biodiversity values show up as highly important. This does not mean the blue areas do not represent important values Analyzed what values were captured in all yellow areas

as blueprints for where the fully protected zones Results do not account for

consultation process Selection of fully protected areas in an NMCA will be

20 Task 4: Identify Areas that are Important to Conserve Marine Biodiversity Step D: Interpret Marxan Results (cont d) Results should not be interpreted as blueprints for where the fully protected zones Results do not account for socio-economic or cultural information nor do they consider inputs from the consultation process Selection of fully protected areas in an NMCA will be completed through interim and full management planning based on all available information

The Road Ahead Modify biophysical component with new and up to date information Add in socio-economic component in the development of a zoning concept Begin extensive consultation with First Nations,

21 The Road Ahead Modify biophysical component with new and up to date information Add in socio-economic component in the development of a zoning concept Begin extensive consultation with First Nations, other government bodies, stakeholders, and the public Create a zoning plan Ultimately, the final zoning plan will be a negotiated solution that insures sufficient balance of ecological objectives and socio-economic and human interests Photo: Mark Hiebert Photo: Mark Hiebert

Contact Information Parks Canada Agency Western and Northern Service Center Vancouver, BC Lindsay McBlane lindsay.mcblane@pc.gc.

22 Contact Information Parks Canada Agency Western and Northern Service Center Vancouver, BC Lindsay McBlane (604) Krista Royle (604) Greg MacMillan (604) Photo: Lindsay McBlane

Designing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in DFO s Three Atlantic Bioregions

Designing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in DFO s Three Atlantic Bioregions Presentation for Indigenous Protected Areas Workshop Max Westhead, DFO and Adrian Gerhartz-Abraham, Dalhousie March 29, 2017