MPA Monitoring Enterprise

The MPA Monitoring Enterprise^[1] was launched in 2007 as a program of the California Ocean Science Trust, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public-benefit corporation. The Monitoring Enterprise was created as a public-private partnership working at the boundary^[2] between science and management to advance stewardship and management of oceans by working to ensure that decision-making is informed by knowledge of the state of ocean ecosystems and the performance of management actions.

Overview

The mission of the Monitoring Enterprise is to pioneer scientific and practical assessments of the changing condition of ocean ecosystems and the performance of marine protected area (MPA) networks. Drawing on a combination of science, technology and policy expertise, the Monitoring Enterprise is leading innovations in the way MPAs are evaluated and results are shared to provide decision-makers and the public with timely and credible information that is useful for making sound management decisions.

The Monitoring Enterprise is developing and implementing monitoring of MPAs for the state of California, and is applying new tools and approaches to advance monitoring in other management arenas including climate change and coral reef conservation.

Strategies

The MPA Monitoring Enterprise employs three key strategies in its work:

Science: To foster, apply, and extend the best available science to ensure that monitoring meets management needs through design and implementation of monitoring frameworks, testing and refinement of monitoring methods, and research to advance monitoring approaches.
Information Management: To steward and share monitoring information through application of web technologies and social media, advancement of data management approaches, and development of new collaboration and decision-support tools.
Communications: To strengthen understanding and use of science as the basis for sound decisions through understanding and reflecting management needs and public priorities, and employing new communications tools and approaches.

Background

Under the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA),^[3] California is establishing a network of MPAs to protect marine life, habitats and ecosystems. The MLPA requires monitoring to evaluate progress towards meeting the goals of the Act, facilitate adaptive management, and improve understanding of marine systems. The Monitoring Enterprise was established to lead development of efficient, cost-effective monitoring of MPAs to ensure that everyone with a stake in the future of ocean resources knows if the MPAs are working as intended. This monitoring fosters transparency and accountability for conservation actions and investment decisions.

References

↑ MPA Monitoring Enterprise (official website), as viewed on January 25, 2012.
↑ Science, Technology, & Human Values, Vol. 26, No. 4, Special Issue: Boundary Organizations in Environmental Policy and Science (Autumn, 2001), pp. 399-408.
↑ Marine Life Protection Act. Retrieved January 25, 2012.

External links

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