Marine Protected Areas

Lab 11

WWF Definition:A marine protected area is an area designated to protect marine ecosystems, processes, habitats and species which can contribute to the restoration and replenishment of resources for social, economic and cultural enrichment.

What is a MPA?

Just think of MPAs as the underwater equivalent of National Parks!

What is a MPA?

http://www.mpa.gov/nationalsystem/Video http://www.mpa.gov/resources/multimedia/

• Conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems

• Protection of rare or threatened species

• Potential contribution to ecosystem-based management of fisheries

• Contribute to sustainable ecotourism

Benefits of MPAs

United Nations• Article 192 of the LOSC provides that

‘States have the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment’

• Article 61:conservation of the living marine resources

• Resources Article 303: Protection of archeological and historic objects

Global Support for MPAs

Ecotourism and MPAs

Pros• Coupling ecotourism with MPAs helps

generate necessary funds for maintaining the MPA

• cultural awareness• protect biodiversity• sustainable source of income• minimize impact• provide alternative to extraction practices

Ecotourism and MPAs

Cons

• noise – may disrupt an otherwise quiet community

• pollution – locomotion, garbage• disruption – human infringement• damage – may encourage coral mining• development- tourists may like an area so

well, they decide to live there

MPAs in the US

Alaska

1. Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve2. Hanauma Bay Marine Life Conservation District3. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine

Sanctuary4. Kahoolawe Island Reserve5. Kalaupapa National Historical Park6. Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park7. Kealakekua Bay Marine Life Conservation District8. Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge9. Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District10.Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument11.Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District12.West Hawaii Regional Fishery Management Area

Hawaii Number of Sites: 12

http://www.coralreefnetwork.com/mpa/default.htm

Exercise 1

ncep.amnh.org/marine_simulation/

Fisheries Simulation

1. What effects do you think the harvesting for curios, live fish trade, and the aquarium trade might be having on coral reefs?

2. How do you think the shells and skeletons used as curios are obtained?

Questions from MPA handout Exercise 2

Stakeholders:• fishermen (recreational, commercial, and aquarium

collectors)• subsistence fishermen (use the ocean for food,

include seaweed - limu)• local recreational users (snorkelers, divers)• tourist industry (tour boat operators and dive shops),

Hawaiian cultural groups, and developers (golf-courses, resorts, hotels, homes).

Exercise 3 Stakeholder Discussion

1. Separate into groups2. Be assigned to a stakeholder group3. Answer questions4. Regroup for discussion

1. Chose a MPA in Hawaii.2. Which one did you chose and where is it located?3. What kinds of habitats are found there?4. What are the key species found there?5. How do these species interact with one another?6. Evaluate your MPA. What would you improve on or

change? What worked? 7. How would you describe the overall mission of the

Marine Sanctuaries Program?8. What do you think might happen to some of these

marine environments if they are not protected? 9. How does open ocean aquaculture affect a MPA?10.What is your relationship to the marine environment?11.Why should you care?

Exercise 4 Homework Assignment

Report back at the end of class and turn in typed and well-thought out responses by next week.

This exercise is meant to stimulate your interest in Marine Biology by visiting a marine habitat on O’ahu.

• Visit a beach, tide-pools, or other marine habitat. Describe the habitat.

• What plants, fish, and animals do you observe? Note any interesting observations.

• Answer one of the corresponding questions (1 paragraph) and how it relates to your beach visit.

• Type in a Word document (at least one page) and hand in next lab.

• Have fun!

Exercise 5 Homework Assignment