Terms of Reference

Monitoring Indicators, Protocols and Strategies for the Proposed Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area (MPA)

Regional Peer Review – Newfoundland & Labrador Region

June 24-26, 2014
St. John’s, NL

Chairperson: Dr. M. Robin Anderson

Context

Under the Health of the Oceans (HOTO) initiative, DFO Science is required to provide support and advice on Marine Protected Areas (MPA) to DFO Oceans. 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 indicators, protocols and strategies are to be based upon the regulatory conservation objectives (COs) set out for each particular MPA. For the proposed Laurentian Channel MPA, there are six (6) primary conservation objectives associated with the conservation and protection of corals (sea pens); Black Dogfish; Porbeagle shark; Smooth Skate (juvenile); Leatherback sea turtle; and Northern Wolffish. Given that this MPA is located offshore, the monitoring strategy will likely have minimal community input and will rely heavily on opportunistic resources (e.g., existing DFO monitoring/research; external collaborative monitoring/research; outsourcing of monitoring/research).

Monitoring ecological indicators in an MPA is essential to: a) develop a broader MPA monitoring “plan” or “program” (which would include socio-economics); b) track status, condition and trends to determine if the MPA is effective in achieving its COs; c) aid mangers to adjust MPA management plans to achieve conservation objectives; and d) report to Parliament and Canadians. Science advice on MPA monitoring is intended to focus on biological/ecological aspects of monitoring (including potential threats to COs). In the specific case of the proposed Laurentian Channel MPA, Research Objectives have also been identified where it is known that baseline information for ecosystem components of interest is currently lacking. Research monitoring activities to reduce information gaps related to these objectives will be useful to future considerations for MPA management.

The selection of indicators, protocols and strategies for the collection and analysis of data must be scientifically defensible. Scientific advice will include specific information regarding the best indicators for MPA conservation objectives; protocols (methodologies) for acquiring these indicators; as well as suggestions (when available) for strategies in obtaining this information (e.g., RV surveys; ships of opportunity; academic and other research, etc.). As per MPA best practice, identifying baseline information (i.e., existing status and trends of indicators and species of interest for the COs), as well as existing gaps, is invaluable to monitoring programs and reporting against conservation objectives.

The intent of this science peer review process is to recommend a suite of indicators that can be considered by DFO Oceans managers to develop a monitoring plan for the Laurentian Channel MPA. As such, the advice regarding indicators, protocols and strategies needs to be clear, concise, and easy to communicate to the main audiences which will include decision-makers; stakeholders; and potential collaborators.

Objectives

The objective of this meeting is to provide a scientific peer review of a proposed Laurentian Channel MPA monitoring framework to determine:

What are the potential direct indicators that would be required to monitor the status of the Conservation Objectives (e.g., abundance, biomass, frequency, etc.)?
What are the potential indirect indicators that should be considered to assist in understanding status and trends from the direct indicators (e.g., environmental, condition/health, etc.)?
What are the protocols for acquiring indicator data? What are the minimum requirements and the optimal requirements?
Which of the potential indicators are/are not currently available/attainable through known existing surveys/activities in 3P?
How many and what type(s) of reference areas are required to adequately determine the effectiveness of the MPA in meeting its COs? Where should the reference sites be located?
What are available or potential strategies (e.g., RV surveys; ships of opportunity; academic and other research, etc.) for carrying out the monitoring program?
What are the key data gaps in our understanding the life histories of species of interest in this area? I.e., is there an aspect of research that is required prior to/during MPA monitoring?
Where appropriate, what potential research monitoring activities can inform information gaps related to Research Objectives for the Laurentian Channel MPA?

This meeting will review one working paper, “A Framework for the Identification of Monitoring Indicators Protocols and Strategies for the Proposed Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area (MPA)”, prepared to identify indicators and associated protocols and strategies for the proposed Laurentian Channel MPA. The outputs from this process may then be used to inform the development of monitoring plans for the MPA, a component of the overarching Management Plan, required under Canada’s Oceans Act.

Expected Publications

Science Advisory Report
Proceedings
Research Document

Participation

Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Science and Ecosystems Management (NL and Maritimes)
Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Memorial University of Newfoundland/Marine Institute
Transport Canada
Other (Non-government research organizations)