Marine Protected Areas in Washington Recommendations of the Marine Protected Areas Work Group to the Washington State Legislature December 2009 Marine Protected Areas in Washington: Recommendations of the Marine Protected Areas Work Group to the Washington State Legislature December 2009 F. Brie Van Cleve Greg Bargmann Michele Culver The MPA Work Group Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 600 Capitol Way North Olympia, Washington 98501 Cover photo: Smith and Minor Islands. Photo courtesy of Kurt Beardslee, Wild Fish Conservancy. Back cover photo: Capt Disappointment State Park. Photo by Brie Van Cleve. Suggested citation: Van Cleve, FB, G Bargmann, M Culver, and the MPA Work Group. Marine Protected Areas in Washington: Recommendations of the Marine Protected Areas Work Group to the Washington State Legislature. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA. This document does not declare, expand or diminish any rights, authorities, or legal obligations of the state and tribes. Nothing in this document shall be construed as a concession or waiver by any entity as to the claims, rights, or legal positions of others. Table of Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 5 MPA Work Group Creation, Purpose, and Membership .......................................................................... 6 Report Purpose and Audience .................................................................................................................. 7 Conservation Mandates and MPA Authorities in Washington State ........................................................ 8 History of MPAs in Washington ................................................................................................................ 8 MPA Work Group Methods .......................................................................................................................... 9 Summary of Inventory Results .................................................................................................................... 11 Assessment of Findings ............................................................................................................................... 15 I. Coordination and Consistency ....................................................................................................... 16 A. Goals ............................................................................................................................................... 17 B. Establishment Criteria ..................................................................................................................... 18 C. Management Practices ................................................................................................................... 18 D. Terminology .................................................................................................................................... 19 E. Monitoring Practices ....................................................................................................................... 19 II. Improved Integration ..................................................................................................................... 20 A. Science ............................................................................................................................................ 20 B. Local Governments and Nongovernmental Organizations ............................................................. 20 III. Improving Effectiveness ................................................................................................................ 21 A. MPA Networks ............................................................................................................................... 21 B. Performance Evaluation ................................................................................................................. 21 Recommendations ...................................................................................................................................... 22 I. Coordination and Consistency ....................................................................................................... 22 A. Goals ............................................................................................................................................... 23 B. Establishment Criteria ..................................................................................................................... 23 C. Management Practices ................................................................................................................... 24 D. Terminology .................................................................................................................................... 24 E. Monitoring Practices ....................................................................................................................... 24 II. Improved Integration ..................................................................................................................... 25 A. Science ............................................................................................................................................ 25 B. Local Governments and Nongovernmental Organizations ............................................................. 26 III. Improving Effectiveness ................................................................................................................ 26 A. MPA Networks in Puget Sound ...................................................................................................... 26 B. Performance Evaluation ................................................................................................................. 27 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................. 27 Literature Cited ........................................................................................................................................... 32 Appendix 1: Inventory of Washington MPAs .............................................................................................. 35 Structure of the Inventory ...................................................................................................................... 35 Methods and Data Sources ..................................................................................................................... 35 Managing Agencies ................................................................................................................................. 36 Geographical Distribution of MPAs in Washington Waters .................................................................... 36 Protection Level ...................................................................................................................................... 37 Washington State Marine Protected Area Inventory ............................................................................. 38 Inventory Key .......................................................................................................................................... 41 Abbreviations used to Identify Organizations ........................................................................................ 43 Inventory Results .................................................................................................................................... 44 Agencies Involved with Creation and Management of MPAs ................................................................ 67 Literature Utilized ................................................................................................................................... 69 Appendix 2: Tribal Policy Statement ........................................................................................................... 70 Appendix 3: Summary of Management Practices....................................................................................... 73 National Park Service, Olympic National Park ........................................................................................ 73 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary .......... 74 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex ..................... 77 University of Washington, Friday Harbor Labs, San Juan County/Cypress Island Marine Biological Preserve .................................................................................................................................................. 80 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife ........................................................................................ 82 Washington Department of Natural Resources ...................................................................................... 83 Washington Parks and Recreation Commission ..................................................................................... 85 Washington Department of