Connecting Our Blue Planet: Building Ecologically Connected Marine Protected Area Networks
Channel: OCTO (Open Communications for the Ocean)
Date: 2020-10-14

This webinar originally aired on 14 October 2020.

The interconnectedness of the ocean is one of its defining characteristics. This ability of species and processes to move and flow from place-to-place, called ecological connectivity, is increasingly recognized as a key aspect of successful marine conservation. Two recent reports highlight the importance of both protecting and leveraging connectivity conservation for successful MPA management. Both the IUCN “Guidelines for conserving connectivity through ecological networks and corridors” and the National MPA Center brief “Ecological Connectivity for Marine Protected Areas” make the case for ecological connectivity and provide practical recommendations for moving marine conservation forward by increasing consideration and application of fundamental ecological connectivity processes. This webinar will provide an overview of these reports and serve to stimulate discussions and actions that lead to greater protection of ecological connectivity as part of marine conservation.

Presented by: Gary Tabor of the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, Barbara Lausche of Mote Marine Laboratory, Zachary Cannizzo of NOAA, and J. Wilson White of Oregon State University

Co-sponsors: NOAA National MPA Center, Center for Large Landscape Conservation, IUCN Connectivity WCPA Conservation Specialist Group, and OCTO (MPA News, OpenChannels, EBM Tools Network)