The First International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas

Workshop 2: Criteria for Marine Mammal Critical Habitat to make
MPA Networks more Effective
Convener and Chair: Ana Cañadas
Presenters: Ana Cañadas, Colleen Corrigan, Sascha Hooker, David Hyrenbach, Jeffrey
Polovina, Randall Reeves
Participants (in addition to the above): Brad Barr, Liz Slooten, Elaine Leung, Viviana
Jiménez, Robin Baird, Karin Forney, Cherryta Yunnia, Idelisa Bonnelly, Cara Miller,
Juney Ward, Lui Bell, Tatiana Lee, Kirstin Dobbs, Rubayat Mansur, Sue Miller Taei,
Tiare Holm, Sal Cerchio, Cheryl Cross, Johny Nilsen, Lien Chou, Shelley Rowley, Mike
Simphins, <strong>The</strong>a Johanos, Doug DeMaster, Lloyd Lowry, Thierry Houard, Donna
Petrachenko, Stephen Jameson, Paul Wong, Craig Macdonald, Erich Hoyt, Simone
Panigada, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara
Summary:
A brief introduction highlighted the point that for ocean travelers, like wide-ranging
marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds, it is important for management to be pursued
at scales consistent with the spatial and nutritional requirements of the species. More
specifically, ecologically designed MPA networks have to accommodate the life history
of the species of concern and the dynamics of their oceanic habitats if such tools are
going to contribute meaningfully to conservation.
<strong>The</strong> presentations focused on: (a) what can be considered critical habitat for marine
mammals, (b) the importance of incorporating large, dynamic features and high-seas
elements in MPA design, (c) representativeness and connectivity in networks of MPAs,
(d) data required to design science-based MPA networks, and (e) scientific tools available
for MPA design. Additionally, three case studies were presented: the NPTZCF Highway
(Turtle Watch Program), the Gully in Nova Scotia, and the Mediterranean Sea
(ACCOBAMS Ziphius initiative and Alborán Sea).
One objective of the workshop was to learn from other taxa (besides cetaceans). In this
regard, useful input was received from seabird and sea turtle experts. Much of the
discussion centered on the importance of considering corridors that connect protected
areas and on the large-scale, dynamic features that must be taken into account in the
conservation of many oceanic, wide-ranging species of marine mammals.
Summaries of Presentations:
Critical or important habitats for cetaceans: what to protect
Randall Reeves
Critical habitat, as defined in the U.S. Endangered Species Act, does not explicitly refer
to migration routes or connecting corridors. Corridors have been largely neglected in the
design of MMPAs, which instead have focused mainly on boxes drawn around
ICMMPA <strong>Conference</strong> Proceedings
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