Terms of Reference

Science Guidance on Design Strategies for a Network of Marine Protected Areas in the Newfoundland and Labrador Shelves Bioregion

Regional Peer Review – Newfoundland and Labrador Region

May 16-18, 2017
St. John’s, NL

Chairpersons: Keith Clarke and Robyn Jamieson

Context

Canada has agreed to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Aichi Target 11 which includes the conservation of 10% of coastal and marine areas by 2020. Areas of high biodiversity and those that provide ecosystem services are of particular importance. The Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Shelves has been identified as one of the five priority biogeographic units for Marine Protected Area (MPA) network development. The primary goal of Canada’s MPA network is to provide long-term protection of marine biodiversity, ecosystem function, and special natural features.

Oceans Program, NL Region, has identified Strategic Objectives, Conservation Priorities (CPs) and Operational Objectives (OOs) for the NL Shelves Bioregion. For each of the OOs, information on design strategies or targets is required to determine how much/many of each ecological component to aim to protect.

A Steering Committee has used the best available scientific advice regarding the design strategies for a MPA network in the NL Shelves Bioregion. A framework for setting design targets was developed and used to provide a range of targets which can be used as inputs into Marxan (software selected by the Oceans Program that delivers decision support for reserve system design).

Objectives

The objectives of the Regional Peer Review Process are to review design strategies and associated targets for developing a network of MPAs in the NL Shelves Bioregion. Specifically:

1. Review the proposed framework for setting targets for OOs identified for the NL Shelves Bioregion.
2. Review proposed design strategies and associated targets for each OO identified for the NL Shelves Bioregion.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science, Ecosystem Management, and Fisheries Management Branches)
• Industry
• Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods
• Academia
• Aboriginal communities/organizations
• Environmental non-governmental organizations