Q 26 - How to take OECM into consideration in MSP where no legal instruments are in place?

Broader “Question”

• Q 25 - How to integrate the process of MPA designation or extension in MSP?

Related sites

• Azores Archipelago

General answer

While protected areas must have a primary conservation objective, this is not necessary for OECMs. OECMs may be managed for many different objectives but they must deliver effective conservation. They may be managed with conservation as a primary or secondary objective or long-term conservation may be the ancillary result of management activities. Recognition of OECMs offers a significant opportunity to recognise de facto effective long-term conservation that is taking place outside currently designated protected areas under a range of governance and management regimes, implemented by a diverse set of actors, including by indigenous peoples and local communities, the private sector and government agencies. Identifying, reporting, monitoring and strengthening OECMs offers a significant opportunity to promote and support de facto effective long-term conservation that is in addition to that provided by designated protected areas. Like protected areas, OECMs can occur under a range of governance regimes, including those of Indigenous peoples and local communities, the private sector and government agencies. IUCN has published a Good Practice Guidance on other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/51773 These guidelines are designed to promote good practices relating to identifying, reporting, monitoring and strengthening OECMs. They are intended for use by a wide range of rightsholders and stakeholders to promote understanding of whether a site meets the CBD criteria for identifying an OECM, how to report OECM data at the national and global levels, and how to monitor and strengthen OECMs. Recognition as an OECM may also provide additional incentives for conservation and sustainable management of areas of biodiversity significance outside protected areas, such as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), Important Plant Areas (IPAs), Important Bird Areas (IBAs), Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs), and Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), noting that such areas must meet the definition of an OECM to be included.

Answers

Operational approaches

• Participatory mapping (Trade-off for MPA Design)

ESE3 - Trade-offs method for protections and restoration in MSP

Practices: Scoping Data collection and presentation Analysis and diagnosis Prioritisation and designation Implementation and management Monitoring and evaluation

Spatial scales: Transboundary / sea basin National Regional / local

Protection regimes: Strict protection Non-strict protection

Marine zones: Coastal zone Deep sea Offshore zone

Operational approaches: (Method) Participatory mapping

Implementation details

The following approaches can be beneficial: 1. Stakeholder Engagement: Actively involve local communities and stakeholders in planning to gather insights on existing conservation practices that may already be functioning informally. Participatory mapping techniques can enhance engagement and ensure that local knowledge is integrated into the planning framework (pages 20, 21) 2. Flexible Frameworks: Develop flexible governance structures that allow for adaptive management of marine areas based on emerging conservation needs and stakeholder perspectives. This can facilitate the recognition of OECMs in regions that may not currently have formal protections (page 36). 3. Valuation of Ecosystem Services: Assess and value ecosystem services provided by marine environments to illustrate their importance for conservation and local livelihoods. This understanding can help build a case for implementing OECMs to balance ecological sustainability with economic activities (pages 22, 24). 4. Identification and Mapping of Potential OECMs: Utilize technology and participatory mapping to identify areas that may serve as OECMs. By involving stakeholders in the mapping process, you can capture areas of ecological or cultural significance that warrant consideration for conservation outside formal legal frameworks (page 21). 5. Adopting Integrated Management Approaches: Incorporate adaptive and integrated management strategies within MSP, considering the interconnections between conservation, economic development, and social structures. This holistic approach can facilitate the inclusion of OECMs within broader spatial planning efforts ((page 36).

Notes

Gutierrez D., Calado H., De Bruyn A., et al., (2024). Trade-offs method for protection and restoration in MSP – ESE3 (Deliverable – D4.3., under the WP4 of MSP4BIO project (GA n° 101060707)).

Policy solutions