MARINE STEWARDSHIP AREA

Conservation Planning

The San Juan County Commissioners have asked the Marine Resources Committee (MRC) to develop management measures that will promote the goals of the county-wide Marine Stewardship Area (MSA). The MRC recognizes that progress towards the goals of the MSA is dependent upon the cooperation of government agencies, non-governmental landowners, local residents, seasonal visitors and all who share the responsibility for stewarding San Juan County’s marine resources. To facilitate this cooperation, the MRC is partnering with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Northwest Straits Initiative (NWSC) to implement a structured approach to marine conservation planning, identifying resource targets and priorities that will lead to sound management measures. Our planning methods are based on the Nature Conservancy’s 5-S Framework.

5-S Framework Description
The MRC is using a planning methodology developed by The Nature Conservancy called the “5-S Framework” to develop a science-based, strategic stewardship plan of action for the Marine Stewardship Area. The first “S”of five steps is to identify a set of stewardship “targets”: species, major groupings of species, ecological communities and/or ecological systems that, taken together collectively represent the range of marine biodiversity of the San Juans across multiple scales and then to assess their general health. In following "S" steps, the stresses affecting those targets and the upstream sources of those stresses will be identified, ranked and combined to yield a threat assessment. Once this foundation is set, we will develop strategies, broad action paths necessary to abate critical threats and enhance the viability of stewardship targets, and evaluate their social, political and practical feasibility. In the last “S”, we will develop performance measures to track the success of the final strategies selected. The 5-S Framework is highly adaptable for a variety of planning purposes and the MRC is experimenting with ways to incorporate social and cultural aspects of the Marine Stewardship Area into the planning process.

During the summer or 2005, the MRC is focused on the first "S" to develop stewardship targets. To do this, the MRC first convened a group of marine scientists from across Puget Sound to draft a list of targets and assess their viability. Now, the Committee is reviewing and refining these targets. This fall, the Committee will host a workshop to discuss the human use elements of the Marine Stewardship Area, inviting marine users from the region to participate.

Important Links
Final San Juan Marine Stewardship Area Plan
Notes on targets and viability from the science workshop
5-S Planning Framework Manual
5-S Example for Atlantic Ocean Beaches and Bays, NY

Marine Stewardship Area Goals
Ecological/biological
A. To protect and restore the marine biological diversity, ecosystem processes, representative ecosystems and special natural features.

B. To conserve fish populations and the upland, nearshore, and deepwater habitats that support them. The initial goal will be to increase the abundance and productivity of selected populations.

C. Prevent further reductions in marine populations including marine birds and habitats within the San Juans and increase populations of marine species to levels exceeding present levels, within the range of natural variability.

Human Use/Cultural Resources
D. To recognize and appreciate the existence values, especially cultural and spiritual values, provided by a fully functioning marine ecosystem. To protect and restore the marine ecosystem so that these benefits will be available for future generations.

E. To recognize and protect direct use benefits for marine resources, including ceremonial, subsistence, recreational and commercial fishing. To protect and restore the marine ecosystem so that these benefits will be available for future generations.

F. To acknowledge cultural heritage resources and encourage understanding and appreciation of them.

G. To recognize the need for scientific research opportunities and the benefits that accrue from this research.

H. To promote increased education and awareness of the marine environment.

I. Protect marine-based recreational resources, including fishing, recognizing that on (and in) the water recreation and enjoyment is an important part of not only our local economy but also our community, culture and the coastal legacy we leave for our children.

Approach/Guiding Principles
J. To use both indigenous knowledge and the results of scientific research to inform adaptive management.

K. To better protect beaches, coasts and the marine environment from pollution, relying upon existing Clean Water Act, Hydraulic Code and Shoreline Management Act Authorities, water quality overlay areas shall be designated to ensure appropriate levels of protection for the marine environment. Such regulations may include the identification of areas that warrant additional pollution protections and the enhancement of marine water quality standards.

L. To encourage all participants to be open to others’ perspectives concerning the marine environment so that all relevant players will be encouraged to participate in developing protection/recovery plans.