Science Advisory Report  2014/049

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

Summary

• The indicators, protocols and strategies proposed to monitor the LC MPA are consistent with the overarching goal of conserving biodiversity and the conservation objectives (CO) related to the species of interest. They are also influenced by the location and specific characteristics of the area.
• Three categories of indicators are proposed for monitoring the LC MPA:
1. Direct indicators, which provide information on the status and trends of specific species of interest related to the COs;
2. Indirect indicators, which provide information on biotic and abiotic components of the environment that can inform changes in the COs; and
3. Anthropogenic pressure indicators, which can quantify human activities inside and outside of the LC MPA that may affect the COs.
• Direct indicators of the status of sea pens in the MPA include: biomass, abundance and density, size distribution, taxonomic diversity, and various geospatial measurements. These indices are expected to increase or be maintained relative to comparable areas in the post-MPA establishment.
• Direct indicators of the status of Black Dogfish, Smooth Skate, and Northern Wolffish in the MPA include: biomass, size distribution, frequency and occurrence. Trends in the various indices are expected to increase or be maintained relative to comparable areas in the post-MPA establishment. The indirect indicator, bycatch adjacent to the MPA, can inform on status of a species that is comparable to inside the region.
• Direct indicators of Porbeagle in the MPA include frequency and occurrence. These indices are expected to increase or be maintained relative to comparable areas in the post-MPA establishment. The indirect indicator, bycatch of shark species adjacent to the MPA, can inform on status of sharks that is comparable to inside the region.
• A direct indicator of the status of Leatherback Sea Turtle in the LC MPA is frequency and occurrence. Direct indicators of the reduction of harm to Leatherback Sea Turtles include: numbers of lethal encounters and non-lethal entanglements, and are expected to decrease relative to comparable areas post-MPA establishment. The indirect indicators, of Leatherbacks include the number and density of jellyfish aggregations within and adjacent to the MPA, can inform on status of this turtle species that is comparable to inside the region.
• Indirect indicators, (often representing environmental drivers) which are relevant to understanding the status, trends and anomalies of direct indicators, include several physical, chemical, biological, geological, and ecological parameters that reflect the general behaviour of an ecosystem.
• Anthropogenic indicators, which characterize human activities within and adjacent to the MPA which may influence the status and trends of direct indicators, include fishing, oil and gas activities, marine transportation, subsea cables, and research. Marine debris, pollution and accidental discharges are also included as anthropogenic indicators.
• Data for some proposed indicators can be obtained through existing protocols and strategies in the form of surveys/activities in the area: e.g., DFO multispecies, oceanographic, and species-specific surveys; while additional surveys and/or data collection will be required for other proposed indicators.
• Potential strategies for collecting monitoring data include: incorporating/extending and/or continuing existing DFO surveys (e.g., trawl, aerial, and acoustic surveys), Atlantic Zonal Monitoring Program (AZMP), Large Pelagic Shark Commercial Longline Survey, increasing  at-sea Fishery Observer coverage, improving commercial fishers’ logbook detail and accuracy; implementing local ecological knowledge projects, and developing partnerships in DFO and with other government and non-governmental organizations, industry, and academia.
• Research is required to address data gaps prior to, and during, MPA monitoring. Data gaps exist in the understanding of life histories of all species of interest in the LC MPA. In particular, baseline distributions and detailed taxonomy for corals and sponges are especially required.
• Recommendations for ensuring the quality of MPA monitoring activities include:  developing adequate baselines, selecting suitable reference sites, long-term monitoring, understanding lag times, and designing effective protocols for data management, storage, and accessibility.
• Reference areas are required to adequately determine effectiveness of the MPA. Reference area selection should depend on similar habitat areas for species of interest outside the MPA. The power of any sampling design which detects changes between areas should also be evaluated. 
• Information requirements for addressing the Research Objectives (ROs) are, in many cases, linked to indicators selected for monitoring the LC MPA, and thus included in the proposed monitoring framework.
• A scientific advisory committee is recommended to further develop the proposed protocols and strategies to inform the indicators as part of the overall monitoring program for the LC MPA. This committee would also be responsible for interpreting scientific results of the monitoring program, and providing oversight on advancing the ROs.

This Science Advisory Report is from the June 24-26, 2014 meeting on Monitoring Indicators, Protocols and Strategies for the Proposed Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area (MPA). Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

Complete document (PDF, 255 KB)

Accessibility Notice

This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.