Insights into marine conservation efforts in temperate regions: Marine protected areas on Canada's West Coast

In order to ensure effectiveness of marine protected area (MPA) management, the development of relevant indicators and evaluation of marine protected areas' performance is increasingly advocated. While most studies so far have focused on MPAs in tropical areas, this study investigates performance of temperate MPAs in British Columbia on the West coast of Canada. Contextual factors including management goals, conservation values and impacts on provincially managed MPAs are assessed. In addition, management issues and necessary improvements for increasing current management effectiveness are analysed for multiple MPAs and potential performance indicators identified. Results indicate that MPA management in British Columbia needs to be improved in all stages of the management cycle including the design of MPAs. Further obvious is a great need for intergovernmental collaboration and inclusion of aboriginal groups, besides the integration of marine user groups. By comparing available information on a range of MPAs, the study also finds that most identified performance indicators appear to be site-specific. Only a few indicators, mainly governance ones, were identified for multiple MPAs and thus seem to be indicative for the performance of MPA management on a wider scale.

► MPA management in British Columbia needs to be improved in all management stages. ► High intergovernmental coordination is critical for multiple MPA management aspects in BC. ► Available information on expected MPA outcomes is very limited. ► Some identified threats and performance indicators different to tropical MPAs.