Why Do We Need MPAs?
Are MPAs Effective?
What Can I Do?
Presidential Executive Order
References |
There is no universal definition for an MPA, for there are different
roles that MPAs play. Depending on the purpose of the MPA, the
definition designated may vary. Here are just a few variations.
 The
basic concept of an MPA is "an area of the sea, sometimes with
its associated coastal area, which is protected from damaging
human activities either by law or by other effective means,
such as traditional customs or voluntary agreements" (WWF Press
Release, 2002)
Executive Order 13158 defines marine protected areas (MPAs)
as "any area of the marine environment that has been reserved
by Federal, State, territorial, tribal, or local laws or regulations
to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural
and cultural resources therein." (Marine Protected Areas of
the United States, 2002)
Does an MPA need to be a certain size?
In general, the larger the MPA, the larger the conservation
benefits. However, when small reserves are strategically placed,
they can work as important components of a larger network. For
example, Point Lobos Ecological Reserve in Monterey County is
only 0.83 nautical miles, but contains a rich diversity of productive
habitat and high diversity of species (California Department
of fish and Game (a), 2002).
Scientific study reveals that in order for the species to be
protected, MPAs must be much larger than terrestrial parks and
reserves.
What is the MLPA?
The Marine Life Protection Act was introduced in February of
1999, and chaptered in October of 1999. The purpose is "to improve
the array of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) existing in California
waters through the adoption of a Marine Life Protection Program
and a Comprehensive master plan" (CA Department of Fish and
Game (b), 2002).
"The ultimate goal of the MLPA process is to produce a plan
that will increase the coherence of California's system of MPAs
and its effectiveness at protecting the State's marine life,
habitat, and ecosystems . . . To facilitate obtaining much needed
public input, the MLPA Planning Team has chosen to publicly
present draft concept maps that outline a working set of MPAs
for each marine region. These concepts are preliminary and have
been established to provide a starting point for discussion.
The MLPA Planning Team is seeking advice from interested parties
on the size and location of individual MPAs and MPA networks.
The initial draft concepts will be discussed at public workshops
planned for July" (CA Department of Fish and Game ( c ), 2002).
What is Executive Order 13158 regarding MPAs about?
"On May 26, 2000, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13158
on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to strengthen the protection
of U.S. ocean and coastal resources. On June 4, 2001, U.S. Secretary
of Commerce Donald Evans announced that President Bush's Administration
intended to retain and proceed with the Executive Order (EO).
The EO is a significant milestone that directs the Departments
of Commerce and the Interior, and other federal agencies, to
strengthen and expand a national system of MPAs by working closely
with state, territorial, local, tribal, and other stakeholders."
(Marine Protected Areas of the United States ( c ), 2002)
As explained in the Executive Order above, many separate jurisdictions may create varying definitions and processes for establishing Special Places for heightened protection. California legislation offers one methodology for classifying a range of definitions that cover multiple concerns about protecting and managing ocean resources.
The Marine Managed Areas Improvement Act creates a new Marine Managed Areas (MMA) classification system. The new system mandates that all MMAs fall within one of the following six classifications: (1) State Marine Reserves, (2) State Marine Parks, (3) State Marine Conservation Areas, (4) Cultural Preservation Areas, (5) Recreational Management Areas, and (6) Water Quality Control Areas. Each classification is characterized by the purpose for which an area is to be managed, and the scope of protection that may/must be afforded to areas within each classification.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) constitute a subset of MMAs. MPAs are distinguishable from other classes of MMAs because they are designated primarily to protect or conserve marine life or habitat. State Marine Reserves, State Marine Parks, and State Marine Conservation Areas are considered Marine Protected Areas. While Water Quality Protection Areas can also be used to protect marine life and habitat, these areas are not considered MPAs under the MMAIA. Therefore, just the three specific MPA designations will be considered under the MLPA process to create a statewide network. The following list defines the characteristics of each MMA classification, including the MPAs. Each classification may include areas that are either estuarine and/or marine depending on the geographic location.
- State Marine Reserves (Reserves)- An MMA is a Reserve if it is managed solely to protect or conserve marine life or habitat and to maintain the area, to the extent practicable, in an undisturbed and unpolluted state. A reserve provides the most extensive protection of resources. It is unlawful to take, harm, or possess any resource in a reserve unless (1) you are permitted to do so, and (2) you do so for research, monitoring, or restoration purposes. To the extent feasible, the area shall be open to the public for managed enjoyment and study, but some activities may be restricted to protect marine resources.
- State Marine Parks (Parks)- An MMA is a Park if it is managed primarily to protect or conserve marine life or habitat, but also to provide opportunities for "spiritual, scientific, educational, or recreational" uses. In a marine park, it is unlawful to take, harm, or possess resources for commercial uses. Additionally, the managing or designating agency may restrict any use that would compromise the protection of a species of interest. All other uses are allowed unless otherwise restricted, and public use of the area is encouraged.
- State Marine Conservation Areas (Conservation Areas)- Conservation areas can be designated solely to protect or conserve marine life or habitat, but can also be designated to protect unique geological features or to provide for sustainable harvests of living resources. Within a conservation area, any resource may be taken, harmed, or possessed for recreational or commercial purposes unless the managing or designating agency determines that such action would "compromise" the protection of a species, habitat, or geological feature of special interest.
These are the three classifications of MPAs that will be designated during the MLPA process, which is discussed in more detail in California section of this webpage.
The following classifications are MMAs that will not be discussed during the MLPA process, but may be implemented through separate processes.
- State Marine Cultural Preservation Area- In a Cultural Preservation Area it is unlawful to damage, take, or possess any cultural marine resource. The managing agency is authorized to preserve cultural objects, or sites of historical, archaeological, or scientific interest. Some examples might include shipwrecks or sites of special cultural significance to local tribes.
- State Marine Recreational Management Area- A Recreational Area is designated to provide, limit, or restrict recreational opportunities to meet other than local needs. This would prohibit any activities that would compromise the recreational value for which the area is designated.
- Water Quality Protection Areas- These areas will be designated to protect marine species or biological communities from undesirable alterations of natural water quality. Point source waste and thermal discharges shall be prohibited or limited by special conditions and non-point discharges shall be controlled to the extent practicable. The authority from the existing precursor to this designation, Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS), has been exercised to also prohibit unnatural and detrimental sediment deposits.
Multiple Designations of the Same Area
Any single area may be designated under more than one classification. For example, the Department of Fish and Game has stated that the designation of an area as a Marine Reserve may give some impetus to an overlaying designation as a Water Quality Protection Area. It also seems conceivable that an area designated as a Water Quality Protection Area, and/or Marine Reserve may also be designated as a Marine Recreational Management Area. For example, Malibu is already designated an ASBS and will automatically become a Water Quality Protection Area. Because the lagoon provides unique habitat for steelhead, tidewater goby, marine birds, and other threatened marine life, it might make a reasonable area for protection as a Marine Reserve. Finally, because it is one of the best-known surfing spots in the world, it could be a site for recognition and protection as a Marine Recreational Management Area.
References:
California Department of Fish and Game (a) (on-line). Accessed
May 2002.
Marine Life Protection Act
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/faqs.html
California Department of Fish and Game (b) (on-line). Accessed
May 2002.
Marine Life Protection Act — Background
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/index.html
California Department of Fish and Game ( c ) (on-line). Accessed
May 2002.
Marine Life Protection Act — Initial Draft Concepts
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/concepts.html
Committee on the Evaluation, Design, and Monitoring of Marine
Reserves and Protected Areas in the United States, et al. Marine
Protected Areas: Tools for Sustaining Ocean Ecosystems. Washington
D.C.: National Academy, 2001.
Maine Sierra Club (on-line). Accessed May 2002.
Frequently Asked Questions Abut Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
http://www.maine.sierraclub.org/FAQ%20MPA.htm
Marine Protected Areas of the United States (a) (on-line). Accessed
May 2002.
What is a Marine Protected Area
http://www.mpa.gov/mpadescriptive/whatis.html#fish
Marine Protected Areas of the United States (b) (on-line). Accessed
May 2002.
What MPAs Provide the Nation
http://www.mpa.gov/mpadescriptive/benefits.html
Marine Protected Areas of the United States ( c ) (on-line).
Accessed May 2002.
The National MPA Initiative
http://www.mpa.gov/mpadescriptive/natinitiative.html
National Marine Sanctuary Program (on-line). Accessed May 2002.
http://marine-
science.sc.edu/classes/msci505/winter/tsld003.htm
Ocean Link (on-line). Marine Protected Areas: Parks for the
Ocean!!! Accessed May 2002.
http://oceanlink.island.net/EnviroOcean/mpa.html
WWF Press Release (on-line). Fact Sheet: Accessed May 2002.
Safeguarding Critical Ocean Habitats — Facts about Marine
Protected Areas.
http://www.panda.org/news/press/archive/news_177f4.htm
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