10 th edition 24 25 MARCH 2019 MONACO monacoblueinitiative.org SPECIAL ISSUE ON MARINE PROTECTED AREAS Summaries & Recommendations Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Launched in 2010 upon the initiative of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Monaco Blue Initiative is a platform for discussion co-organized by the Participants of the Monaco Blue Initiative 2019 - Monaco Participants of the Monaco Blue Initiative 2019 - Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Its members meet annually to discuss the current and anticipate the future global challenges of ocean management and conservation. This event provides a valuable framework for fostering discussions between business, scientific representatives and policy makers, and for analysing and highlighting the possible synergies between the protection of the marine environment and socio-economic development. MBI2019 - © Michel Dagnino, Oceanographic Institute on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services FOREWORD (IPBES) gathering in May 2019 in Paris. 140 participants from 25 countries and various backgrounds (governmental, conservation, H.E. Mr Bernard Fautrier, science, philanthropy, private sector) attended the 10th Monaco Blue Initiative and addressed Vice President and Chief Executive the future of MPAs, the importance of their Officer, Prince Albert II of Monaco networks to protect migratory species and the integration of ecosystem services and natural Foundation capital into blue economic development. Participants reviewed the progress made on these issues, focusing on dynamics, effects, Mr Robert Calcagno, failures and successes, but most importantly on the ambitions and solutions which need to Chief Executive Officer, be adopted in upcoming international events where leaders will decide on the future of the Oceanographic Institute, Ocean such specially at the World Nature Prince Albert I of Monaco Congress of IUCN and the Convention on Biological Diversity in China in 2020. Foundation One of the main conclusions from the experts is that 30% of our ocean as highly or fully protected areas is a minimum and that there is a need for sustainable Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been management of the entire ocean. central to the discussions of the Monaco Blue Initiative since the first edition in 2009, We trust that the executive summary at a time when they were only rarely seen of this booklet, followed by specific on the international agenda. Since then and recommendations which were raised from thanks to the mobilization of stakeholders the discussions, will contribute to reassessing - governments, scientists, economic actors, what will be needed in the post 2020 period, civil society - Marine Protected Areas have shaping the solutions to the challenges of become what we would call “common protecting the ocean and developing a truly language” for the conservation and sustainable blue economy. management of the ocean. Our thanks go out to all the participants of Though MPAs have proven to be excellent this 10th edition of the MBI for their strong tools to respond to the Sustainable commitment and contribution to the event. Development Goals and to face the global We hope they will spread the key conclusions marine biome crisis, especially by mitigating of the discussions widely. the effects of climate change, protecting biodiversity and creating economic value, they are neither in adequate numbers nor sufficiently effective and we are still far from achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Target of 10% of coastal and marine areas conserved by 2020. Developing MPAs both in size and efficiency are priority solutions highlighted again recently by the experts of The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform © Michel Dagnino, , Oceanographic Institute 2 3 Executive Summary 6 Recommendations 10 Welcome Address by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco 12 SESSION 1 14 How can we collectively continue developing MPAs whilst ensuring their efficiency? SESSION 2 22 How do coherent MPA networks contribute to protecting species? SESSION 3 32 How can the evaluation of ecosystem services be integrated into blue economic development? Ocean Updates 42 Keynote Speeches 48 Closing Address 54 List of Participants 56 TABLE OF TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments 58 Co-organizers 60 The 10th edition of the Monaco Blue help to address an issue several panellists Networks of MPAs built local capacity while Initiative was held at the Oceanographic raised, that of the detrimental effect of providing a weightier platform from which Museum of Monaco from March 24th to “paper parks” – MPAs that are not effectively to influence national and international 25th, 2019 under the patronage of HSH managed and enforced. policy. The panel agreed MPA networks Prince Albert II of Monaco. The Sovereign were primarily about networking people Prince created MBI in 2009 out of a The panel stressed the importance of to exchange practical knowledge and skills sense of urgency with regard to ocean sustainable funding without which MPAs from the field. The case of humpback whales protection following the Copenhagen fail in their conservation objectives and lose demonstrated how knowledge transfer COP 15 Climate Summit, which produced public and political support. The MedFund, among managers with specific experience no binding commitments. an environmental trust fund launched by could improve the situation of a species over France, Tunisia and Monaco and since joined a much larger area. Within months of that failed 2009 summit, by others, was one response to this need. the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation MPA networks can also help realise MPAs’ and the Oceanographic Institute, , Prince Speakers stressed the need for more and potential in mitigating impacts of climate Albert I of Monaco Foundation, convened better data to guide the design and defence change, which play out across the entire the first edition of MBI, a unique think tank of MPAs and coherent networks. They called seascape. Finally, UN negotiations on a bringing together diverse ocean actors to for a more holistic, interdisciplinary approach BBNJ treaty were seen as an opportunity to reflect concretely on ocean protection and including the social sciences; a review of achieve greater coherence among existing blue economy issues. fishing subsidies; and for more equitable international, regional and sectoral policy governance to ensure MPAs would bring instruments while giving the new treaty This year’s MBI gathered 140 participants social, economic and environmental benefits ultimate authority over the global commons around a single, essential theme: Marine to local communities. of the High Seas. Protected Areas, the most effective tool for conserving and restoring marine The ensuing discussion included a bold Session 3 addressed integrating the species and ecosystems, and increasingly, proposal to declare all of the High Seas valuation of ecosystem services into blue for climate change mitigation. High-level and the seas surrounding Antarctica no- economic development. figures from government and policy take marine protected areas under the circles, international organisations, NGOs, precautionary principle, in the context of The panel agreed that without broad science and the private sector shared current negotiations at the UN on protecting support, Marine Protected Areas could not views, experiences and recommendations Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National fulfil their conservation role. Valuation of their to guide future management of the Jurisdiction (BBNJ). ecosystem services, from climate change oceans. resilience to tourism and fishing, could Session 2 explored the elements boost acceptance and assist marine spatial HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco gave the of successful MPA networks while planning generally. opening address and the day’s topical recommending pathways to scaling up their sessions were interspersed with keynote development. MPA networks facilitate the Several panellists deplored the lack of quality speeches by government representatives natural connectivity of species and habitats data that made valuation difficult, although of France, the European Union, China and across the sea and foster the spread of some evidence showed benefits to tourism, Portugal. effective management tools and skills. The recreation and fisheries. The distribution of panel provided examples and analysis of such benefits and their scale compared to Session 1 on developing effective Marine functioning MPA networks from seas around costs was also poorly understood. Protected Areas assessed the past decade of the world, and put forth recommendations ocean conservation and identified priorities for their development. The panel highlighted new tools to allow for ensuring MPAs fulfilled their role into the incorporation of these values into the MPA future. Panellists also addressed risks and Panellists had a great deal of personal process. Healthy ecosystems such as reefs opportunities with regard to the High Seas experience working in MPAs and networks. and mangroves reduced the impact from (beyond national jurisdiction) and climate They underscored the value of traditional extreme weather and climate change; change. local ecological knowledge, which not only insurance and hotel groups in coastal areas provided solid scientific underpinnings to were beginning to finance their restoration as One highlight was the presentation of an MPAs but fostered pride and engagement. a risk-reduction strategy. upcoming guide to