An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

Regional and Local StakeholdersPart of the controversy surrounding marine protected areas stems from the impacts theirrestrictions can have on stakeholders. While some stakeholders recognize the benefits ofcreating such areas, others vigorously oppose the limitations on otherwise legal ocean uses.When designing and implementing a marine protected area, it is important to engage allregional and local stakeholders to build support for the proposed protected area and toensure compliance with any restrictions it may impose.Because marine protected areas are used to accomplish a broad range of objectives andhave different meanings for different people, it is imperative that each proposed area hasclearly defined goals and objectives that meet the needs of that particular area, but are alsoconsistent with national goals and guidelines. Regional ocean councils, or other appropriateregional, state, and local entities, can provide a forum for applying the uniform processdeveloped by the National Ocean Council to design marine protected areas. They can alsofacilitate stakeholder input and public discussion of the trade-offs inherent in implementingmarine protected areas. Well-designed scientific studies at the design and reviewstages can assist in the evaluation of the potential impacts of marine protected areas oncommunities.Recommendation 6–4To create effective and enforceable marine protected areas, regional ocean councils andappropriate federal, regional, state, and local entities should work together on marine protectedarea design, implementation, and evaluation. Planners should follow the process developedby the National Ocean Council, actively soliciting stakeholder input and participation.References1 National Research Council. Marine Protected Areas: Tools for Sustaining Ocean Ecosystems. Washington, DC: NationalAcademy Press, 2001106 A N O CEAN B LUEPRINT FOR THE 21ST C ENTURY