SG̲áan K̲ínghlas-Bowie Seamount Gin siigee tl’a damaan kinggangs gin k’aalaagangs Marine Protected Area Management Plan 2019

Table of Contents

• Complete Text
• Foreword
• Acknowledgements
• Disclaimer
• About the SK̲-B Logo
• Haida Language
• Executive Summary
• 1 Introduction
  • 1.1 Location
  • 1.2 Prohibited Activities and Exceptions
• 2 Cooperative Governance
• 3 SK̲-B Guiding Principles
• 4 Conservation Significance and Human Use
  • 4.1 Geological, Oceanographic and Ecological Characteristics
  • 4.2 Cultural Characteristics and Values
  • 4.3 Socio-Economic Use
    • 4.3.1 Fishing Activities
    • 4.3.2 Scientific Research and Monitoring
    • 4.3.3 Vessel Traffic
    • 4.3.4 Other Activities
• 5 Management Framework
  • 5.1 Goals and Objectives
    • Goal 1. Protect and Conserve SK̲-B MPA
    • Goal 2. Manage Human Activities
    • Goal 3. Best Available Information and Effective Monitoring
    • Goal 4. Cooperative Management
    • Goal 5. Public Awareness
• 6 Surveillance, Enforcement and Compliance
  • 6.1 Reporting Accidents and Violations
• 7 Education and Outreach
• 8 Implementation
  • 8.1 Management Priorities
  • 8.2 Reporting and Plan Evaluation
• Glossary
• References
• Acronyms for Frequently Used Terms
• Appendix 1: Bowie Seamount MPA Regulations
• Contact information

List of Boxes

• Box 1. SK̲-B MPA History Highlights
• Box 2. Other Cooperative Processes
• Box 3. A Recent History of Socio-Economic Activities in the SK̲-B MPA
• Box 4. Regional Vessel Traffic Context
• Box 5. Developing Goals and Objectives
• Box 6. SG̲áan K̲ínghlas aauu tl’a ‘waadluwaan hlGajagang (We all take care of SG̲áan K̲ínghlas)

List of Figures

• Figure 1. SG̲áan K̲ínghlas - Bowie Seamount Marine Protected Area Map
• Figure 2. Haida Eddies in the vicinity of the SK̲-B MPA
• Figure 3. SK̲-B MPA Management Framework

List of Tables

• Table 1. Linkages between SK̲-B MPA guiding principles, Canada’s MPA and oceans strategies and frameworks and EBM principles
• Table 2. SK̲-B MPA Management Priorities and Associated Actions

5 Management Framework

The SK̲-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 SK̲-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 SK̲-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 SK̲-B MPA is described in Box 5.

5.1 Goals and Objectives

GOAL 1. The unique biodiversity, structural habitat and ecosystem function of the SK B MPA 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.

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.

Operational Objective:

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

GOAL 2. The protection and conservation of the unique biodiversity, structural habitat and ecosystem function of the SK̲-B MPA are not compromised by human activities.

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.

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 SK̲-B pinnacle to avoid the introduction of invasive species from vessels.

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.

Operational Objective:

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

Operational Objective:

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

GOAL 3. Best available information and effective monitoring increase understanding of ecosystem variability and impacts related to human activities in the SK̲-B MPA.

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.

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 SK̲-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.

GOAL 4. Cooperative management of the SK̲-B MPA is adaptive and responsive.

Operational Objectives:

1. SK̲-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.

Operational Objectives:

1. A cooperative process for SK̲-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 SK̲-B MPA are identified and utilized wherever possible.
4. Decisions related to the management of the SK̲-B MPA are documented and, as appropriate, reported.

GOAL 5. Public awareness of the SK̲-B MPA is increased.

Operational Objectives:

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