First 'rules of thumb' for conserving an ocean in motion
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As ocean habitats around the world face climate change, overfishing, pollution, and other challenges, marine protected areas (MPAs) can provide sanctuary to threatened populations and vital ecosystem services. However, MPAs have given too little consideration to the fact that marine wildlife and resources move around, creating “ecological connectivity” among different populations, communities and ecosystems—and often crossing MPA boundaries.
This year, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium worked to translate and transfer the best available science to help societal leaders conserve ocean connectivity, which is vital for many species’ survival. Mote and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN’s) World Commission on Protected Areas, Marine Connectivity Working Group (MCWG)* published the new Marine Connectivity Conservation ‘Rules of Thumb’ for MPA and MPA Network Design—the first guidance from the MCWG for advancing connectivity conservation practices in marine environments.
“This publication is the result of collaboration among experts around the world and provides guidance for integrating connectivity into the planning and management of MPAs,” said Barbara Lausche, Director of Mote’s Marine Policy Institute and one of the authors on the publication. “These 13 ‘Rules of Thumb’ are intended to support more consistent efforts by MPA managers and marine conservation professionals to implement connectivity conservation and measure progress towards global conservation targets.”
Ecological connectivity is defined as the movement of populations, individuals, genes, gametes (eggs and sperm) and propagules between populations,
communities and ecosystems, as well as the structural connection of non-living material from one location to another. “In the ocean, species frequently cross national and international borders and the boundaries of MPAs as they travel for food, access to mates, refugia and more,” said Aaron Laur, publication author and Center for Large Landscape Conservation International Connectivity Program Manager. “These ‘Rules of Thumb’ advance marine connectivity as an essential component of national, transboundary, and global marine policies and complementary management approaches across marine jurisdictions, in order to ensure greater success in marine conservation efforts.”
Preserving connectivity can also reinforce natural resilience to climate change and sustain marine-dependent livelihoods.
“This publication may be one of the most concisely impactful that I have reviewed in my over 30 years of working with Marine and Coastal Protected Areas, in terms of furthering strategic national and international connectivity efforts for the long-term conservation and sustainable use of our ocean biome,” said Mote’s President & CEO, Dr. Michael P. Crosby. “In a broader sense, this also underscores that rather than being barriers that separate us, oceans are bridges that can bring us together.”
Some of the ‘Rules of Thumb’ in the publication include:
- Identifying the role of marine connectivity in the face of climate change, and identifying climate change resilience as an objective in the management of MPAs.
- Including multiple types of ecosystems and habitats in MPAs to account for various levels of ecological connectivity. For example, an MPA could include coastal nurseries and offshore adult habitats for species such as sharks.
- Recognizing the relationship between MPAs and areas that may be used for commercial fishing, offshore mining/drilling, or other activities as species move between these areas.
Top photo by: AED72 / Adobe Stock