Considerations for Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning In ...€¦ · Considerations for Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning In Newfoundland and Labrador Presented by: Geoff Coughlan

Considerations for Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning In Newfoundland and Labrador

Presented by: Geoff Coughlan – Instructor, School of Fisheries

Marine Institute School of Fisheries

Information Session and Panel Discussion

Tuesday February 4th, 2014 Student Lounge, Marine Institute

Is there as basis and need for Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning in Newfoundland and Labrador?

NL Coastal and Ocean Management Strategy and Policy Framework “…represents the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s commitment to integrated coastal and ocean management in the province. It provides a long-term vision for planning and management, and conservation and sustainable use of the province’s coastal and ocean areas and resources…” “…Ocean technology tools such as mapping, geographical information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and resource inventories, play a vital role in integrated coastal and ocean management…”

STRATEGIC DIRECTION Overarching Goals

Coordinated Approach

Coordinate policies and programs across government.

Information and Research Advance research and information sharing through collaboration.

Education and Awareness Promote awareness and understanding of the coastal and ocean environment/resources and the issues impacting them.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION Overarching Goals

Information and Research

Objective : Develop partnerships with academia, industry, communities and other organizations to increase coastal and ocean information and research capacity. Actions: Support collaborative initiatives to promote coastal and ocean data and information gathering to help ensure informed decision-making regarding management of the coastal and ocean environment.

POLICY DIRECTION

Healthy Marine Environment Protect coastal/ocean ecosystems Ensure sustainable coastal development Maintain coastal water quality

Social, Cultural and Economic Sustainability Maintain social and cultural values Support economic opportunities

Coastal Land Use Link land activities and impacts

Competing Needs and Interests Mitigate

Coastal and Marine Infrastructure Identify and address issues

Climate Change Enhance research and awareness Strengthen adaptability

Industry: Assoc. of Seafood Producers, Canadian Assoc. of Petroleum Producers, Canadian Assoc. of Prawn Producers, Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union, Groundfish Enterprise Allocation Council, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Assoc., Seafood Producers Assoc. of Newfoundland, Shipping Federation of Canada

Provincial Government: Environment and Conservation, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Industry, Trade and Rural Development, Intergovernmental Affairs, Rural Secretariat

Federal Government: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada, Transport Canada

ENGO’s: Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund

Academic: Marine Institute/Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador

Other Regulators: Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board

NGO’s: Coast of Bays Coastal Planning Committee, Eastport Marine Protected Areas Steering Committee, One Ocean, Placentia Bay Integrated Management Planning Committee

Aboriginal: Miawpukek First Nation

“…The Placentia Bay/Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area IM Plan is presented as a multi-year, strategic level plan for the IM of policies, programs, plans, measures and activities in or affecting the PB/GB LOMA. The Plan is intended to provide long-term direction and a common basis for the development and implementation of action plans for environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability…”

PRIORITIES FOR ACTION Healthy Ecosystems

1. Conserve Coldwater Coral and Sponge Reefs 2. Prevent Introduction/Distribution of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) 3. Rebuild Atlantic Cod 4. Manage Habitat for Marine Species 5. Protect at Risk Species and Vulnerable Marine Habitats

Collaborative and Effective Governance

1. Conduct a Legislative and Regulatory Gap Analysis 2. Enhance Communication and Awareness 3. Identify and Address Information and Data Needs/Gaps 4. Mitigate and/or Prevent Conflict

Sustainable Use 1. Improve Coastal and Marine Infrastructure 2. Prevent Pollution 3. Assess Linkages, Opportunities and Values to Guide Economic Development 4. Foster Community Engagement 5. Promote Education and Stewardship

EXAMPLE - GROWTH AND EXPANSION OF THE AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY “In 2012, salmonid production reached a record 16,831 tonnes, valued at $99 million…By 2018, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture expects further expansion east into Placentia Bay and west into waters between Bay D’Espoir and Burgeo, with the goal of reaching an annual production level of 50,000 tonnes.

Vision 2018 Sustainable Aquaculture Development Discussion Paper

NL STRATEGIC AQUACULTURE PLAN RENEWAL “…Such growth has prompted the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA) to pursue a renewed strategy for the sustainable development of the NL aquaculture industry over the next five years…”

Vision 2018 Sustainable Aquaculture Development Discussion Paper

COMPETING NEEDS AND INTERESTS/MITIGATE AND PREVENT CONFLICT

COMPETING NEEDS AND INTERESTS/MITIGATE AND PREVENT CONFLICT “…We support the aquaculture industry, but we also want to make sure that the industry doesn't adversely affect the commercial fishery." Mr. Reid said that harvesters want to have a say in whether or not they want aquaculture sites in particular areas or not. He noted that there already has been cooperation between fish harvesters and company officials in the area…”

FFAW Staff Representative Will Reid in The Telegram January 5, 2010

SPATIAL PLANNING FOR AQUACULTURE “…For the promotion of sustainable aquaculture in the coming decades, it is imperative that integrated spatial planning is effectively applied at both the national and regional levels. Such planning enables the identification and management of areas for the sustainable growth of aquaculture…”

UN Food and Agriculture Organization - Committee on Fisheries – Subcommittee on Aquaculture

KEY AREA FOR ACTION “…Social License–2. Research and prepare regional aquatic resource maps to optimize aquaculture development in public waters in a manner that is respectful of the interests of other resource user groups • Develop a resource-use geographical information system (mapping) tool to facilitate the identification of suitable areas for aquaculture development in public waters (Year 3 – Ongoing in some areas) – incorporate traditional ecological knowledge amongst the parameters used to evaluate areas for aquaculture development – establish objectives for sector development on a regional (watershed) basis – utilize existing databases and knowledge repositories, where they exist…”

BENEFITS Potential benefits to: – regulators (streamlined approval process), – industry proponents (access to data and reduced costs, streamlined application process, positive marketing potential regarding environmental responsibility) and – other coastal users (reduced conflicts)

QUESTION Based on: • Planned expansion of the industry, • International direction from the FAO • Experience in other jurisdictions • Potential conflicts with other user groups/interests • Provincial coastal and ocean policy • The National Aquaculture Strategic Action Plan Initiative • Potential benefits to regulators, industry and other coastal user groups

…is there a case to incorporate comprehensive approaches to CMSP for sustainable aquaculture growth?

MI EFFORTS TO INCREASE CMSP CAPACITY Development of an Applied Masters in Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management/Marine Spatial Planning

This program will focus on the bio-ecological, socio-economic, cultural and technological elements of ocean and coastal zone development, planning and management. Course Structure

Multi–school/departmental broad based offerings to develop an understanding of aspects of integrated coastal and ocean management (SOF, GEOG, Env Sci. etc)…

…Complemented by the more technology-based requirements for effective spatial planning and analysis (ex. GIS, seabed mapping, computer modeling and decision support systems) (SOT and GEOG)

MI EFFORTS TO INCREASE CMSP CAPACITY Major Areas of Study Introduction to ICOM/CMSP Coastal & Ocean Governance, Policy and Law Ecosystems & Conservation Socio-economics / Human Dimensions Spatial Planning Two year course-based program with project and work term

MI EFFORTS TO INCREASE CMSP CAPACITY NL/Ireland Coastal and Ocean Management Linkage Project

How the Irish do it! Using coastal and ocean data and management systems to support the growth of

ocean enterprises and enhance regional economic development This project will achieve desirable skills transfer of Irish capabilities to Canada

THANK YOU