Webinar on Marine Protected Area Design

Research taking place at Oregons Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve.\Photo courtesy of ODFW.

Those interested in how we design marine protected areas, including marine reserves, may be interested in a webinar on “Marine Connectivity Conservation ‘Rules of Thumb’ for MPA and MPA Network Design,” offered by the NOAA National MPA Center and OCTO, a consulting group that works with federal agencies on using emergent technologies.  The webinar, which takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 10 a.m., is presented by Barbara Lausche of Mote Marine Laboratory, chair of the IUCN-WCPA Marine Connectivity Working Group.  It is free, and open to the public.

A description of the webinar:

Ecological connectivity of marine and coastal ecosystems is essential to linking our oceans’ critical habitats, species, and natural processes. Beyond the movement of species, these connections sustain important ecosystem functions such as larval dispersal, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. To help guide, enhance, and restore ecological connectivity of the ocean, the IUCN WCPA has released a new publication entitled “Marine Connectivity Conservation ‘Rules of Thumb’ for MPA and MPA Network Design.” This publication provides the first-ever guidance on connectivity for MPA managers. This webinar will highlight several of the 13 ‘Rules of Thumb’ and how they can help guide integration of connectivity into conservation activities – ranging from interactions across the land-sea interface to the movement of currents and migratory species around the world and across political boundaries. 

To register for this event, go here.