National Marine Protected Areas Center: SPAW Protocol and the National System of MPAs

SPAW Protocol and the U.S. National System of MPAs

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Overview

The Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW Protocol, in-force 2000) is part of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention, in-force 1986). The U.S. ratified the SPAW Protocol in 2003, and in doing so committed to take the necessary measures to protect, preserve and sustainably manage areas that require conservation to safeguard their special value, and threatened or endangered species of flora and fauna. Examples of these areas include: representative habitats; critical habitats; economically and/or socially valuable areas; and other areas of special significance within the Wider Caribbean region.

Where does the Protocol Apply?

U.S. territory covered by the SPAW Protocol includes the marine environment of the Gulf of Mexico (waters off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida), areas of the Atlantic Ocean south of 30^oN latitude and within 200 nautical miles of the U.S. Atlantic coast, and the marine environments of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Navassa Island.

Why is the MPA Center Involved?

The U.S. shares common resources with both neighboring and distant countries, requiring collaboration for effective management. Thus, a major emphasis of the national system of MPAs is enhancing regional and international collaboration among MPAs, especially in monitoring and evaluating management effectiveness. For example, migratory species (e.g., whales, sea turtles, pelagic fishes and birds) rely on the marine and coastal waters of multiple countries during various stages of their lives (e.g., spawning, feeding and breeding). Sharing science and management assessments and linking regional and international MPA initiatives will improve the protection of these species, benefiting all those concerned and enhancing conservation of vital marine resources on which we depend.

Listing U.S. MPAs Under the SPAW Protocol

In 2010, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) was one of nine protected areas across the region that participated in a pilot project to test the listing guidelines. As a result of the pilot, the FKNMS was formerly listed under SPAW, after being vetted through a federal interagency review process and consultation with the State of Florida.

The National Marine Protected Areas Center (MPA Center) and IPO, in consultation with the Federal Interagency MPA Working Group, is now leading an effort to prepare the US submission for listing under the Protocol in 2012.

Benefits of Participation in the SPAW Listing

Some of the anticipated contributions and benefits of listing U.S. MPAs under the SPAW Protocol include:

Providing additional avenues for dialogue and information sharing
Strengthening the U.S. leadership role in marine conservation in the wider Caribbean
Providing opportunities to enhance management of shared resources, particularly migratory species.
Fulfilling of the U.S. commitment to list specially protected areas as a signatory to the Cartegena Convention.

For more information, download the SPAW: Listing U.S. MPAs in the Wider Caribbean Fact Sheet

For more information
mpainfo@noaa.gov

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Error processing SSI file	SPAW Protocol and the U.S. National System of MPAs > National System > International MPAs and the National System > SPAW Overview The Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW Protocol, in-force 2000) is part of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention, in-force 1986). The U.S. ratified the SPAW Protocol in 2003, and in doing so committed to take the necessary measures to protect, preserve and sustainably manage areas that require conservation to safeguard their special value, and threatened or endangered species of flora and fauna. Examples of these areas include: representative habitats; critical habitats; economically and/or socially valuable areas; and other areas of special significance within the Wider Caribbean region. Where does the Protocol Apply? U.S. territory covered by the SPAW Protocol includes the marine environment of the Gulf of Mexico (waters off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida), areas of the Atlantic Ocean south of 30^oN latitude and within 200 nautical miles of the U.S. Atlantic coast, and the marine environments of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Navassa Island. Why is the MPA Center Involved? The U.S. shares common resources with both neighboring and distant countries, requiring collaboration for effective management. Thus, a major emphasis of the national system of MPAs is enhancing regional and international collaboration among MPAs, especially in monitoring and evaluating management effectiveness. For example, migratory species (e.g., whales, sea turtles, pelagic fishes and birds) rely on the marine and coastal waters of multiple countries during various stages of their lives (e.g., spawning, feeding and breeding). Sharing science and management assessments and linking regional and international MPA initiatives will improve the protection of these species, benefiting all those concerned and enhancing conservation of vital marine resources on which we depend. Listing U.S. MPAs Under the SPAW Protocol In 2010, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) was one of nine protected areas across the region that participated in a pilot project to test the listing guidelines. As a result of the pilot, the FKNMS was formerly listed under SPAW, after being vetted through a federal interagency review process and consultation with the State of Florida. The National Marine Protected Areas Center (MPA Center) and IPO, in consultation with the Federal Interagency MPA Working Group, is now leading an effort to prepare the US submission for listing under the Protocol in 2012. Benefits of Participation in the SPAW Listing Some of the anticipated contributions and benefits of listing U.S. MPAs under the SPAW Protocol include: Providing additional avenues for dialogue and information sharing Strengthening the U.S. leadership role in marine conservation in the wider Caribbean Providing opportunities to enhance management of shared resources, particularly migratory species. Fulfilling of the U.S. commitment to list specially protected areas as a signatory to the Cartegena Convention. For more information, download the SPAW: Listing U.S. MPAs in the Wider Caribbean Fact Sheet For more information mpainfo@noaa.gov