Practitioner’s Field Guide for Marine Conservation Agreements

Resilient MPA Design

Marine Conservation Agreements

Conservation, management, and restoration of coral reefs

Primer: Understand Available Measures

For more detailed explanation on the nature-based solutions mentioned in the table above, please go to these pages:<ul><li><a href="https://natureprotects.org/posts/reefs" target="_blank">Reefs</a></li><li><a href="https://natureprotects.org/posts/mangroves" target="_blank">Mangroves</a></li><li><a href="https://natureprotects.org/posts/seagrass" target="_blank">Seagrass</a></li><li><a href="https://natureprotects.org/posts/marshlands-and-swamps" target="_blank">Marshlands and swamps</a></li><li><a href="https://natureprotects.org/posts/dunes" target="_blank">Dunes</a></li><li><a href="https://natureprotects.org/posts/shelterbelts" target="_blank">Shelter belts</a></li></ul>As outlined earlier, ecosystems have numerous benefits for coastal populations. Where they remain intact, the most cost-effective measure is to ensure that they can prosper into the future, fulfilling their multiple roles for communities.Where ecosystems are degraded in some way, it is imperative to first try to address the causes before venturing out to rehabilitate or restore ecosystems. To illustrate this point, it would make little sense to spend energy and resources on reef restoration if the cause for degradation continues to exist (e.g. coral mining, overfishing, boats anchoring on reefs). Such efforts would likely lead to failures or short-lived successes. It should be noted that it will not always be possible to fully address all factors behind ecosystem degradation through local/regional action, as climate change and other non-local factors put many ecosystems under severe stress.&nbsp;

Ecosystem Preservation

Conservation arrangements are by far the cheapest measure to help protect intact ecosystems, and should be considered a precursor or complementary measure for any green structural measure. Three main types of arrangements exist:<ul><li>Marine protected areas (MPA) are clearly defined geographical areas that are designated by governments. Activities in these areas are restricted to achieve long-term conservation of ecosystems, and mostly enforced by governments. Adequately enforced MPAs are seen as the most effective means of marine conservation (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25747282/" target="_blank">Chavanich 2015:132</a>). They are even more effective if integrated into broader frameworks such as coastal zone management, which also address threats originating outside the MPA boundary (such as land-based pollution). See <a href="https://reefresilience.org/resilient-mpa-design/" target="_blank">MPA design principles</a>.</li><li>Marine conservation agreements (MCA) are voluntary agreements between local parties and right-holders, who commit to taking or refraining from certain actions to achieve conservation goals. They can be formal or informal and often include economic incentives. For more information, see the Reef Resilience Network’s <a href="https://reefresilience.org/management-strategies/marine-conservation-agreements/practitioners-field-guide-for-marine-conservation-agreements/" target="_blank">Field Guide for Marine Conservation Agreements</a>.</li><li>Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMA) are based on another co-management approach to conservation. They are coastal areas managed by local communities, groups, partners and/or governments and can be considered the bottom-up pendant to the rather top-down and government-led model of MPAs. They are characterized by local use, control and, in some parts of the world, local ownership and can help perpetuate traditional conservation management knowledge and practices.</li></ul>Explore more information on LMMAs via these links:<ul><li class="ql-indent-1"><a href="https://lmmanetwork.org" target="_blank">https://lmmanetwork.org</a></li><li class="ql-indent-1"><a href="http://www.pimpac.org" target="_blank">http://www.pimpac.org</a></li></ul>The MPA, MCA and LMMA models are not mutually exclusive, but can be combined in mutually reinforcing arrangements. The most suitable initial approach will depend on your context, for instance, the willingness of communities, land owners/rights holders, local governments and the ability to integrate potential spoilers to conservation efforts.&nbsp;Read more about conservation arrangements in step-by-step guide on Conservation Arrangements.&nbsp;

Conservation Arrangements

Where ecosystems remain intact, the most cost-effective measure is to ensure they can prosper into the future, fulfilling their multiple roles for communities.&nbsp;Where ecosystems are degraded in some way, it is imperative to first try to address the causes before venturing out to rehabilitate or restore ecosystems. To illustrate this point, it would make little sense to spend energy and resources on reef restoration if the cause for degradation continues to exist (e.g. the coral mining, overfishing, boats anchoring at reefs). Such efforts would likely lead to failures or short-lived successes.&nbsp;It should be noted that it will not always be possible to fully address all factors behind ecosystem degradation through local/regional action, since climate change and other non-local factors put many ecosystems under added stress. In settings of severe degradation, additional remedial actions (as those outlined in appendices A.2-7) may need to be pursued. But even then, some form of conservation arrangement should accompany the actions.&nbsp;&nbsp;The success of ecosystem preservation is inevitably bound in the level of commitment by government, communities, and key stakeholders, as well as by the availability of staffing, resources, enforcement and resource monitoring.&nbsp;While <a href="https://reefresilience.org/management-strategies/marine-protected-areas/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(13, 102, 132);">marine protected areas (MPA)</a> are usually designated through a top-down government approach and legislated, l<a href="https://reefresilience.org/management-strategies/marine-protected-areas/lmmas/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(13, 102, 132);">ocally managed marine areas (LMMA</a>) may be designated and managed at the local level by communities, land owning groups, partnerships, and/or collaborative governments based in the same area. LMMA will usually include some or most of the key recommendations outlined below but may also include revival or continuity of traditional practices that have sustained the area over generations. While the participatory nature of LMMA may require more investment at a local level, the ownership and commitment can be a major strength.&nbsp;<a href="https://reefresilience.org/management-strategies/marine-conservation-agreements/practitioners-field-guide-for-marine-conservation-agreements/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(13, 102, 132);">Marine Conservation Agreements (MCA)</a> have been increasingly used by NGOs when working with coastal communities and are defined as “any formal or informal contractual arrangement that aims to achieve ocean or coastal conservation goals in which one or more parties (usually rights-holders) voluntarily commit to taking certain actions, refraining from certain actions, or transferring certain rights and responsibilities in exchange for one or more other parties (usually conservation-oriented entities) voluntarily committing to deliver explicit (direct or indirect) economic incentives”.&nbsp;&nbsp;Supporting and promoting ecosystem preservation areas plays an important role in DRR and coastal resilience. Not only can they provide a protective effect from storm surges, waves, and reduction of erosion, coastal ecosystems also provide opportunities for community and stakeholder engagement and learning about coastal resilience practices. Regardless as to whether MPA, LMMA, or MCA approaches are selected, basic principles should be applied across all areas and adapted to fit the local conditions.&nbsp;Step 1: Manage MPA effectivelyNo-take areas (no fishing, collecting, harvesting) need to be in place for the long term (20-40 years) or permanently. Action must be taken to minimize and reduce stressors to the environment. Aim to embed MPAs in a broader management framework, for example through integration with coastal management regimes, to effectively control threats coming from outside the MPA and in network of multiple MPAs that are ecologically connected.&nbsp;Step 2: Represent and replicateRepresent the full suite of marine habitat types to help preserve all key elements of biodiversity (species, communities, and physical/oceanographic factors). Designate multiple representative habitats to reduce risk in the event of an adverse event in one location. This method spreads the risk and increases the likelihood that surviving habitats will help seed affected habitats and encourage natural recovery. It also increases the diversity of habitats.&nbsp;Step 3: Critical areasEnsure that ‘no take’ areas include critical habitats, including spawning, feeding, breeding grounds, juvenile fish habitats, and larval sources. Include special or unique sites (e.g. turtle nesting sites, rare or threatened habitats) and resilient sites in the MPA network.Step 4: Connect protected areasApply minimal sizing to protected areas in the network with a variety of spacing distances between protected areas them. For instance, space marine reserves 1 - 15 kilometers apart and smaller reserves closer to each other. With LMMAs and MCAs, this may not be possible or feasible. Locate MPAs in habitats that are important to focal species. Use square or circular shapes for MPAs subject to considerations of compliance (e.g. including using landmarks).&nbsp;Step 5: Consider social, cultural, economic, and governance aspects of coastal communities&nbsp;in design and management.Community acceptance and involvement is critical for the preservation of sites. Thus, it is important to address current patterns of use by coastal communities (recreation, education, cultural practices, and economic benefits). Explore whether conflicts of interest are present, how resources can be managed, and what cost-sharing arrangements are feasible. Community groups and stakeholders must be involved in decision-making, management, and monitoring of all conservation arrangements.&nbsp;Step 6: Adaptive managementMake well-informed decisions about what actions are the best for a conservation project. Measure and test the effectiveness of strategies used and learn and adapt in order to improve strategies. Use <a href="https://coastalresilience.org/approach/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(13, 102, 132);">adaptive management cycles</a> to continually improve.&nbsp;Step 7: Measure effectivenessIdentify effective practices. This helps determine which activities a manager should continue and build upon. Some practices might be modified and replicated for other programs or initiatives based on the results. Explore whether local regulations allow for options of expansion.&nbsp;Identify practices that need to be improved. Some activities may need to be changed in order to improve the effectiveness of a management program. Provide value to existing and potential funders: funders are acutely aware of the need to document the success of programs. Future funding opportunities will often depend on the managers’ ability to demonstrate that the program and activity is effective.&nbsp;FURTHER RESOURCES<ul><li><a href="https://reefresilience.org/management-strategies/marine-conservation-agreements/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(13, 102, 132);">Introduction to Marine Conservation Agreements</a></li><li><a href="https://reefresilience.org/wp-content/uploads/Practitioners_Field_Guide_for_Marine_Conservation_Agreements_2012.pdf" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(13, 102, 132);">Practitioner’s Field Guide for Marine Conservation Agreements</a></li><li><a href="https://reefresilience.org/wp-content/uploads/Field_Guide_Checklist.pdf" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(13, 102, 132);">MCA Field Guide Checklist</a>&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.conservationtraining.org/course/view.php?id=104" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(13, 102, 132);">Advanced Studies in Coral Reef Resilience</a>: Module 5</li></ul> Are you finished with the Primer? Move on to Stage 4: Identify solutions.

Step-by-step guide on conservation agreements

There is an abundance of measures to enhance the resilience of coastal communities, and it is beyond the scope of the Blue Guide to provide a full catalog. Figure 4 below offers a typology, distinguishing primarily between non-structural and structural measures.<img src="https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/static.natureprotects.org/Figure%204.1%20Measures%20to%20enhance%20coastal%20resilience.png"><img src="https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/static.natureprotects.org/Figure%204.2%20Measures%20to%20enhance%20coastal%20resilience.png">As a DRR practitioner, you may be familiar with many of the non-structural measures listed as examples. This overview focuses on the measures that may be less familiar, the ones related to ecosystems. These include certain governance-oriented measures, as well as all green structural measures. For the latter, have a look at the overview table in the following section, as well as the various specific step-by-step-guides in other contents of the Ecosystem folder.Following this overview, this content will guide you through the process of identifying and combining the most effective measures for sustainable nature-based solutions.