Overview of Canada s Marine Conservation Targets Initiative. November First Nations Fisheries Council General Assembly

Transcription

1 Overview of Canada s Marine Conservation Targets Initiative November First Nations Fisheries Council General Assembly

2 Presentation Outline Context International and National Commitments to Marine Conservation Targets Minister s Mandate Implementation Strategies Questions 2

3 Context - International Commitments International targets to conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas by 2020: 2010: Convention on Biological Diversity Aichi Target 11 to protect at least 10% by * 2015: United Nations General Assembly s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development under Goal 14. *Target 11: By 2020, at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and wellconnected systems of protected areas and other effective areabased conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscape and seascape. 3

4 Context - National Commitments National targets set by Canada to protect 5% of Canada s marine and coastal areas by 2017, 10% by : Biodiversity Goals & Targets for Canada Targets apply to Canada not to a specific ocean or on a bioregional basis. Canada & U.S. announced in a Joint Statement on Climate, Energy, and Arctic Leadership (2016) The Prime Minister and President Obama reaffirmed meeting the Aichi Target 11-10% marine conservation target. 4

5 Context - Minister s Mandate Work with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to increase the proportion of Canada s marine and coastal areas that are protected to 5% percent by 2017 and to 10% by Work with the provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders to better co-manage our three oceans. Use scientific evidence and the precautionary principle, and take into account climate change, when making decisions affecting fish stocks and ecosystem management. 5

6 Principles 1. Science-based decision making Bringing together diverse and complex sources of information based on peer reviewed science, tradition 2. Transparency Foundation of approach: Engagement, Consultation, and Collaboration 3. Advancing reconciliation with Indigenous groups Renewed relationship between Crown and Indigenous Peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership 6

7 Implementation Strategies Nationally, conservation targets will be reached using the following five strategies: 1. Advance work already underway in areas progressing towards establishment. 2. Establish new, large Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in offshore areas. 3. Establish additional Oceans Act MPAs in areas under pressure from human activities. 4. Advance Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures. 5. Examine how Oceans Act changes could accelerate the designation process for MPAs, without sacrificing science, or the public s opportunity to provide input. 7

8 1. Advancing Work Already Underway Pacific focus: Advancing the Hecate and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs MPA. Proposed Oceans Act regulations prepublished in Canada Gazette Part 1 on June 27, 2015 for a 30 day public comment period. Consideration now being given to the input received during the formal public consultation process. Publication of final regulations in Canada Gazette Part 2 is currently being planned for late 2016/early

9 2. Establish new, large Marine Protected Areas in offshore areas Exploring possibilities for establishing a new, large Oceans Act MPA in pristine offshore areas of the Pacific Region. Science is showing there are benefits to protecting large pristine areas in a proactive manner. Understanding and protecting marine ecosystems depends on bringing together complex sources of information based on science and peer review. Identification of ecologically and biologically significant areas (EBSA) in the offshore bioregion is the first step in scoping an area that is potentially in need of protection. 9

10 2. Establish new, large Marine Protected Areas in offshore areas 5 Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) have been identified in the Offshore Pacific bioregion including Seamounts and Hydrothermal Vents ( Identification of an area or feature as an EBSA is a means of drawing attention to an area where threats and risks should be carefully scrutinized. As this process moves forward we will determine the exact location and size of an offshore MPA in consultation with our partners and stakeholders. 10

11 3. Establish additional Oceans Act MPAs in areas under pressure from human activities MPA Network Planning in the Northern Shelf Bioregion: The Province of BC, Canada, and 17 First Nations working together 5 major steps underpinned by: Governance; Multi-stage engagement; Best available science and traditional, local knowledge. More information: 11

12 3. Establish additional Oceans Act MPAs in areas under pressure from human activities MPA Network Engagement Timeline: 12

13 4. Advancing Other Effective Area- Based Conservation Measures International and domestic marine conservation commitments refer to MPAs and other effective area-based conservation measures as tools in support conservation objectives The term MPA is well defined internationally by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and discussions to define other measures are ongoing. Guidance currently under development for both marine and terrestrial areas: Canadian Council on Ecological Areas (CCEA) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Formal guidance through the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) - anticipated in will consider these sources and others. DFO participating in these discussions 13

14 4. Advancing Other Effective Area- Based Conservation Measures Since international timelines will not be available for use in support of Canada s 2017 MCT timelines, DFO has developed the Operational Guidance for Identifying Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures. The guidance is supported by: CSAS advice Emerging international and domestic guidance, including that from CCEA and IUCN Marine management realities (e.g., regulatory tools available, data limitations, differing approach to management of seafloor vs. water column) Input from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Parks Canada Agency (PCA) 14

15 4. Advancing Other Effective Area- Based Conservation Measures Peer reviewed Science Advice was commissioned from the Canadian Advisory Secretariat. SAR mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/publications/sar- AS/2016/2016_002-eng.html Research Report DocRech/2016/2016_020-eng.html 15

16 4. Advancing Other Effective Area- Based Conservation Measures Five criteria for marine other measures : 1. Clearly Defined Geographic Location 2. Presence of Important Ecological Components of Interest 3. Conservation or Stock Management Objectives 4. Long-Term Duration of Implementation 5. The Important Ecological Components of interest (the important habitat and species identified earlier) are Conserved 16

17 4. Advancing Other Effective Area- Based Conservation Measures 1. Clearly Defined Geographic Location The measure must be in a spatially-defined area. This criterion reflects IUCN definitions related to a clearly defined geographic location. 2. Presence of Ecological Components of Interest The management measure includes a habitat that is important to biodiversity conservation and a species of regional importance that uses that habitat. 3. Conservation or Stock Management Objectives The management measure must have a conservation or stock management objective and directly reference at least one of the ecological components of interest (i.e., habitat and/or species) in its conservation or stock management objective. 17

18 4. Advancing Other Effective Area- Based Conservation Measures 4. Long Term Duration of Implementation The management measure must either: be entrenched via legislation or regulation; or not entrenched via legislation or regulation but there must be clear evidence that the management measure is intended for the long-term (minimum 25 years). 5. The Important Ecological Components (the important habitat and species) are Conserved No human activities that are incompatible with conservation of the important ecological components (the important habitat and species identified earlier) may occur or be foreseeable within the defined geographical location. 18

19 5. Establish Oceans Act MPAs Faster Takes approximately seven years to establish an Oceans Act MPA. Need for more timely process without sacrificing science and consultation. DFO developing options for potential amendments. DFO in National Headquarters leading this strategy and planning engagement in Regions. 19

20 Questions 20