Question: What research has been done on MCAs?
Answer: Extensive policy and economic research relating to Marine Conservation Agreements has been undertaken by The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International and others, within and outside of the United States.
The content of the Marine Conservation Agreement (MCA) Toolkit is based on the findings of multiple research projects, field projects and workshops. Research findings and reports for specific geographies can be found in the Country Analyses. Research related to specific MCA field projects can be found in Field Projects. Finally, an extensive bibliography of research publications can be found in Publications and Presentations. While the research findings collected for this toolkit are substantial, they are not exhaustive. As such, if practitioners are aware MCA-related research that should be evaluated for posting on this site, they may Contact Us. Brief summaries from three foundational research projects related to MCAs are given below.
International Research
- Analysis of the Role and Feasibility in the Coral Triangle, Gulf of California, Gulf of Mexico, and Eastern Tropical Pacific
- In 2009 and 2010, The Nature Conservancy assessed the role and feasibility of MCAs in three geographies, identifying priority field projects, local implementers, determining indicators of success, and developing action plans.
| The findings for the Coral Triangle/Indonesia analysis are available in Bahasa Indonesia and English (pdf, 2.5M and 3.5M). |    |
| The findings for the Eastern Tropical Pacific analysis are available in Spanish and English (pdf, 5.6M and 5.8M). | |
| The findings for the Gulf of California and Mexico’s Northern Pacific are available in Spanish and English (pdf, 5.0M and 5.6M) |
- Western Indian Ocean MCA Analysis
- In 2010, the University of York and The Nature Conservancy partnered to undertake an MCA feasibility analysis in the Western Indian Ocean, including Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Seychelles and South Africa. The resultant report, Protecting East Africa’s marine and coastal biodiversity – Marine Conservation Agreements in the Western Indian Ocean (pdf, 721k), is available for download.
United States Research
- Leasing and Restoration of Submerged Lands - Strategies for Community-Based, Watershed-Scale Conservation (pdf, 1,346k)
- The Nature Conservancy explored the leasing of submerged lands as a potential conservation strategy and examined some of the benefits, considerations and methods of involvement for leasing, preservation and restoration of shellfish on these lands. Submerged lands leasing legislation for all ocean coast states' was analyzed to acquire information regarding submerged land availability, procedures and costs for acquiring leases, and criteria for maintaining leases in each state. A variety of leasing options were uncovered, but the focus was principally on the leasing of shellfish grounds because: 1) most state leasing programs have specific provisions for shellfish development and harvest; 2) shellfish habitats are among the few types of submerged lands readily available for lease that are amenable to restoration, conservation and management of native species in natural environments; and 3) the restoration and conservation of shellfish encourages stakeholders and local communities to take a strong interest in water quality and the link between estuaries and their watersheds. The research concluded that strategies which combine submerged lands leasing with shellfish restoration provide powerful new tools for coastal and marine conservation. These strategies help local stakeholders secure long-term protection for important habitats, restore ecological processes in coastal watersheds, improve fisheries resources and enhance the quality of life and economic benefits for local communities. This approach may be expanded to enhance coastal marine conservation throughout the United States and internationally.
- Towards Conservation of Submerged Lands: The Law and Policy of Conservation Leasing and Ownership (pdf, 4,332k)
- The Nature Conservancy also convened a workshop of key leaders from academia, non-governmental organizations, and state and federal management agencies to discuss the laws and policies associated with private conservation leasing and ownership of submerged lands. Several findings were made as a result of the workshop:
- Leasing and ownership of submerged lands can be significant tools for marine and coastal conservation.
- Conservation leasing and ownership are supported by the public trust doctrine.
- Coastal landowners often have clearly established rights of access to and use of submerged lands and public trust waters.
- Some state policies often require that leaseholders make productive use of submerged lands.
- Before acquiring a lease or ownership rights to submerged lands, the purpose of acquiring the rights should be part of a clear conservation and restoration plan.
- Inventories of privately leased and owned submerged lands are needed.
- The increasing use of submerged lands and the need for marine ecosystem management calls for the greater incorporation of public trust doctrine responsibilities and local efforts into state agency programs.
- The best way to test whether state or federal policies allow for conservation leasing of submerged lands is for groups to apply for leases; these actions will help identify programs where conservation leasing is compatible with existing policy or help spur agency introspection and opportunity for policy change.
- Conservation leasing and ownership tools are distinct from MPAs or related marine reserve tools.
- Leasing and ownership projects often have different key attributes as tools for conservation and their utility will vary.