Arctic Marine Protected Area Network Toolbox Project (2017-2019)

PAMEs Framework for a Pan-Arctic Network of MPAs sets out the vision for an ecologically connected, representative and effectively-managed network of protected and specially managed areas. Further technical work and coordination at the pan-Arctic level is needed to advance this vision.
As a step torwards contributing to the Aichi target of 10% marine protected areas, a series of MPA science workshops are being organized by the project co-leads, during 2017-2018. These workshops will build on the findings from previous work undertaken by the Arctic Council. Key aspects of this collective work within the Arctic Council include ways to build and strengthen networks of MPAs in the context of climate change and ocean acidification, as well as incorporating traditional and local knowledge (TLK). Scientific, TLK and technical experts as well as management and policy makers will take stock of the current scientific understanding and identify new research questions on MPA networks and how these networks, and other area-based measures, may be used to decrease the negative effects of climate change and acidification, and their interaction with other human induced stressors in the Arctic.
The aim of the MPA networks commitment is to take stock of the current scientific and other knowledge, and identify important new research questions on MPA networks and how such networks, and other area-based measures, may be used to decrease the negative effects of climate change and ocean acidification and their interactions with other human induced stressors in the Arctic.
PAME has held two previous workshops on Marine Protected Area networks during 2016. The third MPA workshop will be held in September 2017 in Helsinki, focusing on MPA networks in the context of climate change and ocean acidification. A fourth MPA workshop will be hosted by Canada 2018, which is intended to convene MPA managers, Indigenous peoples, community representatives, and other MPA partners to share experiences in planning and developing Arctic MPA networks, including the role that Indigenous people may play in developing and managing protected areas and other measures. The series of workshops are arranged as part of the Arctic Councils overall aim to strengthen the cooperation among the Arctic Council countries on implementing MPA networks that are representative and ecologically connected.
The workshop in september will build on output from the two previous workshops, also organised within PAME, on area based management tools including:
1. Strengthen ecological resilience to direct human pressures and to climate change impacts,
2. Support integrated stewardship, conservation and management of living Arctic marine resources and species and their habitats, and the cultural and socioeconomic values and ecosystem services they provide.
3. Enhance public awareness and appreciation of the Arctic marine environment and rich maritime history and culture.
4. Foster coordination and collaboration among Arctic states Indigenous peoples, and other Arctic community representatives, to achieve more effective MPA planning and management in the Arctic.
The outcome of the commitment will be included in the future work within the Arctic Council on the implementation of Area Based Management Tools , climate change and ocean acidification.