TRANSBORDER MARINE PROTECTED AREA INITIATIVE

The Transborder MPA Initiative is a joint undertaking by the Islands Trust, San Juan County, and the Sound & Straits Coalition of nongovernmental organizations. The purpose is to spark local, citizen-led efforts to increase public awareness of the state of the marine resources and to take action to protect and sustain them by designating a network of marine protected areas in the Orca Pass International Stewardship Area.

The Orca Pass International Stewardship area is the entire boundary area between San Juan County and the Canadian Gulf Islands. The area is rich in natural beauty, marine biodiversity, environmentally sensitive habitats, and places of cultural and spiritual importance to Coast Salish tribes and First Nations on both sides of the border.

The San Juan and Gulf Islands share this rich marine environment, diverse island communities, and growing concerns for the long term health and well-being of our environmental, economic, social and cultural resources. All of these depend on maintaining a diverse and productive marine ecosystem.

These waters are a single ecosystem affected by sources of habitat disruption and pollution, whether they originate north or south of the border. The effects are increasingly significant. The Orca whale population and fishery stocks for many species are declining sharply. Shipping activity in Haro Strait, Boundary Pass and Rosario Strait is increasing and with it the risk of fuel and chemical spill and the introduction of invasive non-native species. Industrial pollutants from mainland sources enter these waters and the food chain of fish, marine mammals and sea birds.

Fishery stocks for many species are declining sharply, as are marine bird and mammal populations. The reasons for decline in some cases may be over-harvest, habitat loss from various causes, or a combination of factors.

The Islands Trust and San Juan County have little or no authority to influence fishery harvests, control international shipping, affect recreational boating activities, or control industrial pollution. What we do have, however, are communities of people on our islands that live closely with the marine environment around us and care deeply about the long-term effects of human activities on these critically important resources.

The Vision

To establish an integrated network of marine protected areas within the combined waters of the Georgia Basin and Puget Sound, known as the Salish Sea.

The Goals

Protect the marine biological diversity, representative ecosystems and special natural features;

Conserve fish and their habitats;
Protect cultural heritage resources and encourage understanding and appreciation of them;
Recognize the need for scientific research opportunities; and
Promote increased education and awareness of the marine environment.

Principles for Action

Take the initiative and act now.
Base decisions on available science.
In the face of uncertain science, take the precautionary approach to use of resources.
Provide a model for other MPA initiatives.
Involve the public with meaningful engagement and stewardship.
Reflect the values and interests of indigenous peoples and island communities.
Nurture a spirit of cooperation and shared decision-making.
Employ seventh-generation thinking.

Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are places in the marine and shoreline environments that have long-term protection from human activities. There are many possible forms of MPAs. They can range in size and provide different levels of protection based on the resources present and the stewardship capacity to protect them.

What uses or activities may be allowed in an MPA will depend on its purpose and may vary from site to site. Some MPAs are marine reserves, in which all biological resources are protected from all human activities. Other MPAs allow for some human uses compatible with the protection of particular species or habitats. Nonregulatory MPAs are often referred to as marine management areas. These can be very effective to focus the attention of other levels of government, encouraging them to help protect MPAs and not to impede local protection efforts.

This initiative must recognize and respect the role of treaty tribes as co-managers of marine organisms and habitats, and recognize the limited authority of local governments in the marine environment. For these reasons, designation of MPAs by the Islands Trust and San Juan County requires voluntary restrictions and emphasizes public education and awareness about marine resources and their need for protection.

Marine Stewardship in the Islands

The Islands Trust and San Juan County have developed a Marine Management Area Workbook. This Workbook is designed to help local island communities and others to identify sites for marine stewardship and establish Marine Management Areas in effective collaboration with other jurisdictions, citizen groups, and island communities. The workbook is available from the Islands Trust, the San Juan County Planning Department, and on our linked websites.

A Transborder Marine Protected Area Network

The Orca Pass Marine Protected Area Initiative is to promote the creation of an integrated network of MPAs, with multiple areas designated on both sides of the border. These MPAs can protect and help to restore a range of habitat types. A network of MPAs can accomplish much more than one or two small, isolated MPAs. This is increasingly important in the transboundary waters, where international vessel traffic of all kinds is among many competing human uses. A network of MPAs can:

Conserve productive ecosystems and biological diversity

Habitat destruction, overfishing, and the introduction of invasive, non-native species reduce the diversity and integrity of marine ecosystems. Kelp and eelgrass beds, spawning beaches, enclosed bays and rocky reefs are habitat for different life stages of many species of marine life.

Conserve fisheries resources

Despite harvest controls employed in the past, many historically important fisheries are no longer sustainable and an ecosystem perspective is needed, rather than a species-by-species approach.

Promote scientific research

Research in MPAs can improve our stewardship capability by increasing our knowledge of how ecosystems function.. Research can also measure what is and isn't accomplished and help test and refine how we design and manage MPAs over time.