Communicating for Conservation: Potential Ocean Indicators and Information Products for Evaluating MPA Success

Marine protected area (MPA) managers are currently charged with the task of monitoring MPA sites to determine if those sites are meeting their designation goals. Despite current efforts to develop formalized monitoring plans for each of the 5 regions identified under the 1999 Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA), and to identify biological and physical monitoring indicators, the exact role of ocean observing in determining MPA effectiveness is still unclear. In light of new regional MPA networks forming off California’s coast through the MLPA and the creation of a federally designated national MPA system, in accordance with Executive Order 1358, it is pertinent that the ambiguity of determining variables for measuring MPA success be resolved in a timely manner. In response to this need, this project seeks to improve integration of ocean observing into MPA management and create a better line of communication between ocean observing agencies and MPA managers and staff. Via a survey process environmental managers and science practitioners were asked to identify ocean observing variables that will help measure MPA effectiveness. A list of top 15 ocean observing variables was identified from survey responses. Due to climate change effects on the marine environment and the complex challenge