Terms of Reference

Eastport Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA) Monitoring Indicators, Protocols and Strategies

Regional Advisory Process, Newfoundland and Labrador

St. John’s, NL
January 27, 2011

Chairperson: Nadine Templeman

Context

Under the Health of the Oceans (HOTO) initiative, DFO Science is required to provide support and advice on Marine Protected Areas to DFO Oceans Management. Currently, this includes the identification of indicators, protocols and strategies that are to be incorporated into MPA monitoring plans to be carried out by Oceans. The identification of indicators, protocols and strategies are to be based upon the regulatory conservation objectives (COs) set out for each particular MPA. For the Eastpot MPA, one of the primary conservation objectives is to maintain a viable population of lobster through the conservation, protection, and sustainable use of resources and habitats. This MPA is largely a community derived initiative, and as such, the monitoring strategy should encourage inclusiveness and particiption.

The monitoring of biological and ecological indicators (and their respective threats) is essential to: a) the development of a broader MPA monitoring “plan” or “program” (which would include socio-economics); b) tracking status, condition and trends to determine if MPAs are effective in achieving their COs; c) aiding mangers in the adjustment of MPA management plans to achieve their conservation objectives; and d) reporting to Parliament and Canadians.

Science monitoring products are not intended to address non-biological/ecological aspects of monitoring (with the exception of threats as presented by human activities). Selection of indicators and protocols for collection and analysis of data must be scientifically defensible.  Science will not be examining social, economic, or cultural indicators.

Given that science in support of the Eastport MPA initiative has been ongoing (both pre- and post-MPA designation) for several years, this process will require taking into consideration the indicators that have been used to date, advising on their suitability for measuring against the existing conservation objectives for the Eastport MPA, identifying other potentially important indicators where required, and if appropriate, assessing trends in the available indicator data to assess the status of the Eastport lobster population.

Objectives

Overall objectives of the meeting are to:

• Determine if the indicators, protocols and or strategies identified by science are appropriate to monitor the Eastport lobster population against the conservation objectives for the Eastport MPA.
• If the current indicators are deemed appropriate, assess the resulting data to characterize the status and trends for the local lobster population as it relates to the conservation objectives for the Eastport MPA.

Specifically, four proposed indicators related to the Eastport lobster population will be assessed, and advice to accept and/or improve the various indicators will be developed. The four indicators proposed for use in monitoring the Eastport lobster population are:

1. Commercial Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE)
2. Population and size distribution (commercial)
3. Population structure and size inside and adjacent to the MPAs
4. Fecundity

Advice to improve the above indicators for their relevance to the conservation objectives will consider:

• Major sources of uncertainty and potential for improvement
• New sources of information

Expected Publications

A Science Advisory Report (SAR) and associated research document(s) will be produced.  A Proceedings Report will record the meeting discussions.

Participation

• DFO Science Branch, NL Region
• DFO Oceans Branch, NL Region
• DFO Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Branch, NL Region
• Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Memorial University
• Eastport MPA Advisory Committee members and local harvesters