Call for Joint Action by networks of MPA managers
MPA networks call for a global MPA manager network. The undersigned are committed to working together towards the common goal of building a global Network of Marine Protected Areas Managers.
The fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC 5), in 2023, is the opportunity for the following regional networks of MPA managers and other related regional networks and institutions that promote the creation, effective management and connectivity of MPAs, and foster capacity building among MPA managers – SPAW/RAC in the Wider Caribbean, MedPAN in the Mediterranean, NAMPAN in North America, Red Golfo in the Gulf of Mexico, the Forum for the Conservation of the Patagonian Sea and Areas of Influence in Latin America, WIOMPAN in the Indian Ocean and RAMPAO in West Africa – to exchange experiences, strengthen cooperation and maximise resources between networks of marine protected areas managers (MPA managers Networks) across regions of the world. This collaboration, built upon existing and ongoing efforts and initiatives, was more recently financially supported by the European Union Ocean Governance project, and previously by the project called, Cooperation with Northern and Southern Transatlantic Dimension through MPAs. Both of these projects stimulate exchanges between MPA manager building networks among them and the sharing of good practice to improve MPA management effectiveness across regions.
As highlighted by MedPAN statement at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2022, all together, MPA manager networks “represent a critical Blue Belt that gathers an active community of practice and connects ground conservation action with global policies”.
Through sharing experiences, best practices, knowledge and technical and scientific information, MPA manager networks build capacity and improve the effectiveness and sustainability of MPAs and thus support the successful implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target 3 and Sustainable Development Goal 14. Networks of MPA managers, at national, sub-regional, regional or supra-regional levels are cost-efficient catalysers. They allow for exchanges between managers and stakeholders with common issues in different local contexts, and generate creativity, problem solving and resource sharing.
In this context, the above regional networks of MPA managers and other related regional networks, with the following national bodies responsible for managing MPAs – the French Biodiversity Agency and the French MPA network, the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition through the Biodiversity Foundation and the National Park of Cabrera in the Balearic Islands; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States, the Community MPAs of Senegal and the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Directorate of Ministry of Environment of Uruguay – have been developing a joint strategy to share experiences and tools to improve their capacities, as well as to explore options for long-term financing to ensure network sustainability at regional and national levels.
We believe that ecological connectivity will be enhanced by strong human connectivity across regions of the world. MPA managers’ networks are recognised as a cornerstone of MPA performance. They build “MPA communities” at all levels, by connecting marine planners and managers, decision-makers, scientists, rightsholders and stakeholders, working towards the same overall goal of healthy, sustainable ocean and coasts. They provide a mechanism to connect the local to the global levels. Through a bottom-up approach, those networks are teaming up to keep the global, regional and national marine conservation and resilience moving forward.
We believe that MPA manager networks’ call for a global MPA network will champion the current marine conservation challenges, especially the GBF Target 3, the SDG14, and the Paris Climate Agreement.
We believe that a global MPA network of managers should be actively promoted and financed to allow MPA managers to most effectively collaborate on actions to address the UN goals and targets for sustainable development, biodiversity, and climate. Such a global MPA manager network should be built on existing MPA manager networks and amplify their on-going efforts.
IMPAC 5 is a great opportunity to strengthen efforts and to make happen a global community. We invite all of you – countries, managers, donors, scientists, communities and others – to join this call and commit to support this worldwide networking approach and to spread it within and beyond our regions and our global ocean.
7 February 2023
Signatories:
Regional or international institutions
Forum for the Conservation of the Patagonian Sea and Areas of Influence in Latin America
Mediterranean Protected Areas Network
Réseau Régional d’Aires marines Protégées en Afrique de l’Ouest
Red Golfo
Center for Specially Protected Areas and Species of the Caribbean
Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Management Network
National institutions
A Rocha Kenya
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Directorate of Ministry of Environment of Uruguay
Community MPAs of Senegal
French Biodiversity Agency and the French MPA network
North American Marine Protected Areas Network
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USA)
Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition through the Biodiversity Foundation
MPAs
National Park of Cabrera in the Balearic Islands
The Call for Joint Action by networks of MPA managers is also available in French and Spanish:
The Ocean Governance project is implemented by:
