Over the past several years, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have realised that the creation of formal protected areas may not be sufficient to protect ocean and coastal biodiversity, particularly in areas where rights have already been granted to specific owners and users. To address this, NGOs are increasingly using Marine Conservation Agreements (MCAs) to complement other marine and coastal protection efforts. Marine Conservation Agreements include any formal or informal understanding between two or more parties in which the parties obligate themselves, for an exchange of benefits, to take certain actions, refrain from certain actions, or transfer certain rights and responsibilities to achieve agreed upon ocean or coastal conservation goals.
The Nature Conservancy's approach to marine conservation is built on sound science and focused on Places, Partners, and Tools to facilitate better conservation and management on land and in the water. Toolkits make it easier to access the latest science, information and resources so that our partners such as local managers and stakeholders can make informed decisions about conservation and resource use in their places, the lands and waters we call home. One of those toolkits developed in partnership with the Nature Conservancy is the Practitioner’s Toolkit for Marine Conservation Agreements.
This Practitioner's Toolkit for Marine Conservation Agreements (MCAs) was developed to help conservation organisations determine:
- What MCAs are
- When MCAs can help abate threats to ocean and coastal species, habitats, and ecosystems
- How to plan and proceed with MCA projects
The Marine Conservation Agreements toolkit identifies the necessary steps and resources to acquire proprietary rights to lands and resources lying within ocean and coastal waters for conservation purposes. Marine conservation agreements, such as proprietary rights strategies, enable organisations to protect important places and biodiversity while positioning them to address comprehensive marine conservation approaches such as zoning, resiliency planning, and ecosystem-based management.
Effective conservation and management of coasts and oceans takes many approaches; no single approach alone will be sufficient. These linked toolkits help bridge gaps and understanding in some of the most important areas in marine management.
For more about Marine Conservation Agreements and to download the toolkit click here
