Scorecard available for management effectiveness
Measuring the success of an MPA in meeting its goals can involve a significant amount of fieldwork and data collection – a challenge for resource-strapped MPAs. A new scorecard, produced by the World Bank, provides a simple, site-level tool to help managers and stakeholders assess their MPAs without additional field level research. It is available online in PDF format at http://www.mpascorecard.net.
Called the “Score Card to Assess Progress in Achieving Management Effectiveness Goals”, it is not intended to replace more thorough methods of assessment. Rather, it provides managers with an overview of the progress of their management efforts and illustrates gaps in management that should be addressed. It is designed to be filled in by managers or other site staff, and is adaptable to site and regional needs.
The scorecard was adapted from a similar tool created for terrestrial protected areas by the World Bank and WWF. An early version of the MPA scorecard was tested at various sites in 2003. The new scorecard is available in English, French, and Spanish versions.
For more information: Francis Staub (scorecard co-author), AJH Environmental Services, 4900 Auburn Avenue – Suite 201, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. Tel: +1 240 395 0251; Email: fstaub@environmentservices.com
Program raises money for coral reef MPAs
The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), a US-based NGO, is enlisting the help of individuals and organizations to raise funds for small-scale conservation projects at coral reef MPAs worldwide. Through its Park Buddies program, CORAL engages divers and community groups to host their own fundraising events: raffles, concerts, dinners, and so forth. CORAL then funnels the raised funds to MPAs that have specific projects in need of financing, like mooring-buoy installation, purchases of patrol equipment, or ranger training. In 2004, the program’s first year, CORAL has raised nearly US$19,000, which has fully paid for projects at five MPAs in Belize, Bonaire, Mexico, Palau, and the Philippines. Fourteen separate fundraising events across the US contributed to the total.
The participating MPAs will change from year to year, according to CORAL. Each participating site must be an established coral reef park that allows tourism and is in need of small-scale funding for a conservation project. CORAL will announce the MPAs for 2005 this November. The website for the program is at http://www.coralreefalliance.org/divein/parkbuddy.
For more information: Sherry Flumerfelt, CORAL, 417 Montgomery Street, Suite 205, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA. Tel: +1 415 834 0900 x306; E-mail: sflumerfelt@coral.org
Review paper available on coral reef MPAs
The science and use of MPAs in managing coral reefs are examined in a new briefing paper produced by the International Society for Reef Studies, a scientific organization. Released in June at the 10th International Coral Reef Symposium in Okinawa, Japan, the paper assesses the potential uses of MPAs and factors that affect MPA success, based on findings from dozens of research studies worldwide. It also describes conditions under which MPAs are most likely to be effective. The 13-page paper primarily addresses no-take marine reserves rather than multiple-use MPAs. “Marine Protected Areas in Management of Coral Reefs” is available online at http://www.fit.edu/isrs.