What MSP Implementation could change in the Maritimes Region Tim Hall, Regional Manager Oceans and Coastal Management Division Ecosystem Management Branch Fisheries and Oceans Canada Maritimes Region BIO Dartmouth, NS 1
Outline National legislative & policy context Regional history with ESSIM ESSIM Evaluation Phase Government Integration via RCCOM Regional ICOM Framework Bioregional MPA Planning Gulf of Maine Council and MSP Future Directions on MSP in ICOM 2
Canada s Ocean Policy & Legislation Canada s Oceans Act S. 31 - authority to lead and facilitate the development and implementation of integrated management (IM) plans S. 35 - authority to regulate zoning restricted to MPAs, not in IM planning areas S. 52.1 - authority to set regulations for marine environmental quality (MEQ) and agreements made pursuant to the Act Oceans Act mandates DFO Minister to: "gather, compile, analyse, coordinate and disseminate information" "collect data for the purpose of understanding oceans and their living resources and ecosystems," and "encourage activities necessary to foster understanding, management and sustainable development of oceans and marine resources. Supporting policy and programs under the Oceans Act point to the use of MSP, but have not enabled or defined it (e.g., Canada s Oceans Strategy and IM Framework, Federal MPA Strategy etc.) 3
Canada s Ocean Policy & Legislation No federal oceans-related acts explicitly recommend or exclude the use of MSP DFO Minister has authority to plan for MSP IM plans are not specifically defined and open to interpretation (i.e., could it be an agreement as per S. 52.1?) DFO Minister has authority to implement MSP relative to MPAs, fisheries, aquaculture, habitat protection, and pollution prevention Other oceans-mandated Ministers have authority to implement MSP for maritime transport, cables, oil and gas exploration and development, ocean dumping, marine conservation areas, and marine wildlife areas etc. Collaborative approach is required due to multiple jurisdictional context (i.e., federal, provincial & municipal) 4
Integrated Management Integrated management (IM) the coordinated planning and management of all human activities in a management area to anticipate, prevent and mitigate human-ecosystem and human-human conflicts Successful IM requires: 1) shared vision of ocean space; 2) governance structure that supports communication between ocean regulators, sectors and stakeholders; and 3) information, assessment, monitoring and reporting that supports informed decisions and actions to be made by individual sectors in support of shared vision IM (in Canada) respects the existing divisions of constitutional and sector-based authority 5
Marine Spatial Planning A public process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives that usually have been specified through a political process (IOC/UNESCO) Successful MSP requires: 1. shared vision of the ocean space; 2. information, assessment, monitoring and reporting that supports informed decisions and actions; and 3. a central plan that sets specific direction for decision making (e.g., zones, timing, activity restrictions akin to a municipal planning strategy) MSP potentially over-rides rides existing divisions of constitutional and sector-based authority 6
DFO Maritimes Region View of MSP MSP is viewed internationally as the final product of a central zoning plan akin to a municipal planning strategy for the ocean DFO Maritimes views MSP as a tool in a much broader process for developing a shared vision and for collating information, assessment, monitoring, and reporting that supports informed decisions and actions, which does not have to result in a centralized zoning plan Centralized plans can range from a regulatory-based zoning plan to a human use characterization plan Conclusion we can incorporate the appropriate MSP steps into IM without compromising our IM program, changing the existing IM decision point, or resulting in a centralized zoning plan. The plan could incorporate siting guidelines, codes of conduct/best practice, information products, mitigation measures. 7
MSP Drivers on Scotian Shelf Perceived need among stakeholders for an operational tool to implement regional IM Program/ ESSIM plan Recognition exists that multiple ESSIM plan strategic objectives can be achieved via spatial and temporal measures Strong linkage exists between MSP and federal requirement to develop bioregional MPA network plans by 2012 All agree on need to match human use values with ecological values Province of Nova Scotia s commitment by 2015 of 25% renewable energy, and by 2020 of 40% renewable energy Marine Renewable Energy Task Force established to develop strategies for commercializing marine renewable energy (tidal, offshore wind, and wave resources) marine renewable energy legislation being developed focus on tidal 8
ESSIM Strategic Objectives & MSP Aim is sustainable development based on a healthy ecosystem Many objectives can be advanced via marine spatial planning, e.g., Reducing and avoiding multi-sectoral use conflict Sustainable wealth generation Conserving community diversity; protecting at-risk species; reducing incidental mortality; conserving habitat integrity 9
4 th ESSIM Forum Workshop, Nov 2008 Examined MSP themes emerged as a practical way to address many objectives in the ESSIM Plan. Recommended: Explore MSP tools and options for plan implementation. Work on developing tools in support of MSP and review international guidelines that are being developed and determine applicability to the Scotian Shelf. A workshop focused on MSP guidelines and best practices would be an appropriate mechanism to gain a better understanding of the principles and practices of MSP so here we are today! 10
ESSIM Evaluation & Reporting Requirements Main reporting requirements: Performance review reporting on SAC member activities State of the Ocean periodic baseline assessment, monitoring and reporting that are essential elements to MSP 11
DFO Roles and Responsibilities DFO is responsible for State of the ocean reporting - act in a coordinating role in collaboration with other government departments Delivery of theme papers As a member of SAC, participate in the performance review 12
Regional Committee on Coastal & Ocean Management (RCCOM) Senior-level representatives of ocean-related federal and provincial departments (co-chaired chaired by RDG DFO Gulf and DM NS Fisheries and Aquaculture) Provides coordinated government involvement in regional integrated ocean management Supported by program-level RCCOM Coordinating Committee Covers Maritime provinces (NS, NB, PEI) 13
Regional ICOM Framework An approach to Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management (ICOM) for DFO Maritimes Region that expands its geographic scope from area- based pilots to region-wide. ICOM Framework will enhance Region s ability to achieve DFO s strategic outcomes: economically prosperous maritime sectors and fisheries; sustainable aquatic ecosystems; and safe and secure waters. 14
Why a Regional ICOM Framework? Where we are: Pilot-based approach focused on certain parts of the Maritimes Region. Ad hoc program-level participation in ICOM across DFO Maritimes Region. Current Challenges: Difficult to achieve integrated management when focused on small areas only most management areas are larger and ICOM is seen as discretionary. Lack of capacity to engage in further site-specific specific integrated management processes. Duplicative stakeholder engagement processes across government. Siloed implementation of federal government policies. Need for information at a regional scale to assist in planning and decision making. Where we need to go: ICOM operational and meaningful across the Maritimes Region. A DFO ICOM working group to ensure consistent program-level participation in ICOM. Benefits of a Regional ICOM Framework: Meet the legislative requirement for integrated management in waters under Minister s mandate. Clarify roles and set clear, region-wide direction for ICOM. Help link various legislative, policy and management frameworks related to ICOM. Continue to develop structures for planning and collaboration within and between governments; better match mandates of other government departments. Enhance opportunities for stakeholder participation, action and focus, including opportunities for engagement with multiple government departments. Provide a mechanism for addressing interactions between existing uses and dealing with new uses proposed for the marine environment. 15
Elements of ICOM Framework Implement ICOM across DFO Maritimes: Continue to implement existing ICOM policies and plans with the goal of working towards a regional ICOM plan. Whole-of-DFO approach: Use existing mechanisms for collaboration within DFO Maritimes and develop new ones as needed with the goal of applying Oceans Act authorities and responsibilities to DFO-managed activities. Intergovernmental cooperation: Use and enhance structures for coordination and collaboration with other levels of government. 16
Elements of ICOM Framework (cont d) Stakeholder engagement: Build on existing stakeholder engagement opportunities, and collaborate with other government departments/levels of government to ensure opportunities for participation in ICOM. Ecosystem Approach to Management (EAM) Framework: Implement EAM Framework within DFO Maritimes; brief other government departments on the framework. Marine planning tools: Continue to develop/implement tools to assist regional ICOM implementation: Communications and outreach tools to reach diverse audiences Decision-support, support, including ocean use mapping, advancing surveillance and monitoring technologies, information compilation and analysis, etc. State of the ocean reporting 17
Bioregional MPA Network Planning Design an MPA network based on ecological objectives AOI process demonstrated importance of human use valuation (socio-economics) Need for broader MSP data / info to effectively consider human use and costs, and to assign best management tools for the job 18
Gulf of Maine Council and MSP Discussions Portland CMSP Forum in December 2010 demonstrated GOM Council interest in CMSP Ad-Hoc Working Group on CMSP established to investigate and recommend roles/activities for the Council, including content for the 2012-1717 Action Plan Prepared a comparative summary of CMSP in Canada and the US, including definitions, legislative basis, key elements, and current and planned implementation activities Identification of common elements and differences between the two countries to determine minimum criteria for CMSP approaches Gap analysis to determine missing elements and priority needs for CMSP in the Gulf of Maine bioregion Identification of Council roles and activities to support and advance CMSP, focusing on those things that the Council is uniquely best able to accomplish 19
Ad Hoc WG on CMSP Next Steps Complete analysis and prepare recommendations for the June 2011 GOM Council meeting Recommendations will focus on two inter-related related aspects: Roles and activities to respond to and/or support current developments in the Gulf of Maine bioregion Content for inclusion in Council s 2012-1717 Action Plan 20
Future Directions on MSP in ICOM Build MSP into region-wide ICOM framework to advance management objectives Focus on building tools and information base More geospatial assessment and mapping! Effective information and data sharing, e.g., enhanced Marine Cadastre information system Assessment of existing spatial management tools (gaps and efficiencies) Cadastral information system (responsibilities, rights) Valuation (ecological, economic, social, cultural importance) Intensity and compatibility of use metrics (characterization, pressures, effects and interactions) Methods for analyzing cumulative effects (regional assessment) Risk assessment tools, management/mitigation advice & scenario development 21
Future Directions on MSP in ICOM Undertake MSP-relevant mapping and analysis in support of Government of Canada-mandated bioregional MPA network planning Harmonize IM and MPA bioregional planning scales Work with government partners and sectors to ensure MSP products are validated, accepted and used in planning, management and decision making Implement MSP approaches in bioregional planning areas where use, conflict and sensitivity demand it Continue to advance MSP as explicit part of national ICOM policy development 22
Questions? Tim.Hall@dfo-mpo.gc.ca mpo.gc.ca 23