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SGaan Kinghlas–Bowie Seamount Gin siigee tl’a damaan kinggangs gin k’aalaagangs Marine Protected Area Management Plan 2019

SGaan Kinghlas–Bowie Seamount Gin siigee tl’a damaan kinggangs gin k’aalaagangs Marine Protected Area Management Plan 2019

SGaan Kinghlas–Bowie Seamount Gin siigee tl’a damaan kinggangs gin k’aalaagangs Marine Protected Area Management Plan 2019 (PDF, 7.40 MB)

Table of Contents

List of Boxes

List of Figures

List of Tables

5 Management Framework

Figure 3. SK-B MPA Management Framework

Figure 3. SK-B MPA Management Framework

The SK-B MPA management framework includes five components: conservation and management goals, strategic objectives, operational objectives, indicators, and reference points or thresholds (illustrated in Figure 3).

There are five goals for the SK-B MPA. Goal 1 is a conservation goal and generally describes the desired state of ecosystem components. Goals 2 through 5 are management goals and generally describe the desired management approach. Conservation and management goals are linked and not mutually exclusive.

All goals are supported by strategic objectives, which break the goals down into specific components. Strategic objectives are supported by operational objectives that are more detailed and measurable. Operational objectives guide the selection of indicators and associated reference points or thresholds that will be identified in a monitoring plan for the MPA. The monitoring plan will enable the SK-B Management Board to evaluate the effectiveness of management efforts and to make adjustments as necessary.

The process to identify goals and objectives for the SK-B MPA is described in Box 5.

Box 5. Developing Goals and Objectives

The SK-B MPA goals and objectives were informed by ecological, cultural, social and economic values and priorities identified by the Management Board, including the overarching purpose of the MPA. The ecological goals and associated objectives were informed by EBM indicator work for other cooperative marine planning processes (e.g. Gwaii Haanas, Marine Plan Partnership), the application of DFO’s ecological risk assessment framework (O et al. 2015; DFO 2015), and an ecosystem management framework developed by Jennings (2005). The cultural, social and economic objectives were informed through the identification of additional cooperative management priorities in workshops and Management Board discussions. The goals and objectives were also reviewed by the SK-B Advisory Committee. Input received during this engagement process was considered by the Management Board and incorporated into the final goals and objectives listed in Section 5.1.

5.1 Goals and Objectives

Strategic Obj 1.1

Populations of rare, localized, endemic and vulnerable species are protected and conserved.

Operational Objectives:

  1. The condition and abundance of cold-water coral and sponges are within a range of the natural state.
  2. The condition and abundance of other invertebrates are within a range of the natural state.
  3. The condition and abundance of fishes (e.g. Blackspotted/Rougheye rockfish, Bocaccio, Yelloweye rockfish, Sablefish, Prowfish) are within a range of the natural state.

Strategic Obj 1.2

Habitats that are essential for life history phases of species within the MPA are protected and conserved.

Operational Objectives:

  1. Sensitive benthic habitats are within a range of the natural state.
  2. Pelagic and sea surface conditions are within a range of the natural state.

Strategic Obj 1.3

Ecosystem food webs are protected and conserved.

Operational Objective:

  1. Ecosystem function and trophic structure are within a range of the natural state.

Strategic Obj 2.1

Fishing is managed to not compromise the protection and conservation of the SK-B MPA.

Operational Objectives:

  1. Direct and non-direct removal of species is managed to maintain the condition and abundance of target and non-target species, and adheres to approved levels of bycatch.
  2. Direct and non-direct removal of species is managed to fully protect sensitive benthic habitats from direct and non-direct impacts, including, but not limited to crushing, sedimentation, breakage, entanglement and removal.
  3. Direct and non-direct removal of species is consistent with marine mammal and marine bird conservation plans, recovery strategies, and related policies.
  4. Direct and non-direct removal of species is managed to prevent and report on gear loss and retrieval of lost gear (intentional or not).
  5. Fishing gear is managed according to best practices to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.

Strategic Obj 2.2

Vessel traffic is managed to not compromise the protection and conservation of the SK-B MPA, by working with other federal agencies.

Operational Objectives:

  1. Large vessels are encouraged to transit a minimum of 50 nm from the SK B pinnacle.
  2. Underwater noise from vessel traffic is monitored to establish a baseline.
  3. Ballast water is exchanged at least 50 nm from the SK-B pinnacle to avoid the introduction of invasive species from vessels.

Strategic Obj 2.3

Scientific research and monitoring activities are managed to not compromise the protection and conservation of the SK-B MPA.

Operational Objectives:

  1. Non-destructive sampling strategies are applied where possible.
  2. Impacts of destructive (i.e. damaging, extractive) sampling techniques are minimized and rationalized.
  3. Loss of research equipment is avoided and reported.
  4. Research and monitoring equipment is managed according to best practices to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.

Strategic Obj 2.4

Marine tourism activities are managed to not compromise the protection and conservation of the SK-B MPA.

Operational Objective:

  1. Marine tourism activities are monitored as appropriate, and impacts are minimized as necessary.

Strategic Obj 2.5

Non-renewable resource activities outside the SK-B MPA are considered in the management of the MPA.

Operational Objective:

  1. Readily available information regarding non-renewable resource activities that may compromise the conservation and protection of the SK-B MPA is shared with the SK-B Management Board.

Strategic Obj 3.1

Best science, including Haida traditional knowledge and local knowledge, is used to support decision-making.

Operational Objectives:

  1. Support decision-making by incorporating scientific research on seamounts, as appropriate.
  2. Support decision-making by incorporating Haida traditional knowledge that is shared, as appropriate.
  3. Support decision-making by incorporating local knowledge, as appropriate.

Strategic Obj 3.2

A comprehensive monitoring plan is developed and implemented.

Operational Objectives:

  1. Research is conducted to establish baseline information.
  2. Trends in fishing and science/research activities are monitored.
  3. Trends in vessel traffic activity in and around the SK-B MPA are monitored by working with relevant agencies.
  4. Transient populations (e.g. marine mammals and marine birds) are monitored to establish a baseline and detect significant changes by working with relevant agencies.
  5. New and existing partnerships support monitoring activities where possible.

Strategic Obj 4.1

Collaborative relationships and open sharing of information and knowledge contribute to the protection and conservation of the SK B MPA.

Operational Objectives:

  1. SK-B data is shared openly and transparently between DFO and the CHN, subject to privacy, confidentiality and other considerations.
  2. Collaborate with other researchers and stakeholders working on broader relevant initiatives (e.g. seamount monitoring, State of the Pacific Ocean reporting, climate change research, geology), as appropriate.

Strategic Obj 4.2

Cooperative management of the MPA achieves coordinated, integrated, and effective management decision-making.

Operational Objectives:

  1. A cooperative process for SK-B Management Board involvement in fisheries management decision-making is implemented.
  2. An Advisory Committee is engaged and provides advice in the implementation of the Management Plan, as necessary.
  3. Opportunities to coordinate and maximize capacity and resources to manage the SK-B MPA are identified and utilized wherever possible.
  4. Decisions related to the management of the SK-B MPA are documented and, as appropriate, reported.

Strategic Obj 5.1

An outreach strategy is created and implemented to increase awareness of the SK-B MPA among responsible agencies, stakeholders and other interested groups.

Operational Objectives:

  1. Awareness of the SK-B MPA is increased locally, nationally and, where appropriate, internationally, via implementation of the outreach strategy.
  2. The virtual reach of the SK-B MPA is increased (e.g. websites, social media).
  3. Haida language and oral traditions are used in SK-B communications materials.
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