Resilient and productive ocean ecosystems are the goal of the Marine Conservation Initiative. We envision a working seascape, where the ocean provides food, jobs, and recreation without sacrificing the health of the ecosystem. We believe that by aligning incentives with conservation, we can achieve lasting protection for fish populations and ocean ecosystems. To achieve these goals, the Initiative funds a portfolio of tools and projects—including communications, policy reform, and scientific research—within two strategic themes: Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and Reforming Fisheries Management (RFM).

A closer look at comprehensive Marine Spatial Planning

MSP addresses environmental, economic, and social objectives, while reducing conflict between competing users and promoting conservation. MSP does this by dividing the marine environment and specifying the most appropriate uses for particular marine areas. By accounting for the myriad of stressors on the marine environment and planning for them accordingly, MSP reduces user conflict while protecting areas critical to ecosystems and species. The result of an MSP process is a science-based and stakeholder-developed management plan that implements sustainable use and alleviates pressure to produce conservation outcomes.

MSP is a relatively new, large-scale, and complex concept. Key stakeholders need to be educated on the change from the status quo. For example, the Marine Conservation Initiative works through non-traditional partnerships with the fishing and other industry communities and applies strategic communications to educate key influencers about MSP. Additionally, the Initiative supports stakeholder inclusion through MSP implementation planning and processes in each geography. The MSP framework considers all ocean user interests and ensures management objectives are not dominated by a particular sector to maintain a balance of environmental, economic, and social objectives.

A closer look at Reforming Fisheries Management

The Marine Conservation Initiative works to reform fisheries management by aligning economic incentives with resource protection. It does this in two ways. First, it promotes the establishment of scientifically sound and ecosystem-based catch limits and Dedicated Access Privileges (DAPs). Secondly, it works to develop and promote conservation-minded technological innovations, including cleaner fishing gear, spatial planning tools, and monitoring and enforcement technology.

Under DAP systems, managers allocate a share of a fishery’s total catch to individual fishermen, sectors, associations or communities. The value of these shares increases if the fishery is well-managed and the stock expands, so fishermen have a heightened incentive to ensure the long-term sustainability of the resource. When implemented appropriately, DAPs can have environmental, social, and economic benefits.