3.1 Conservation Commitments

1. MCA Field Guide
2. MCA Field Guide Checklist
3. Phase 3: Agreement Design Checklist
4. 3.1 Conservation commitments are established
5. 3.2 Recipient benefits are determined
6. 3.3 Compliance mechanisms are developed
7. 3.4 Sanctions are agreed upon
8. 3.5 Regulatory permits issued or applied for
9. 3.6 Final actions are completed

Commitments within Marine Conservation Agreements (MCAs) explicitly describe the conservation outcomes of the project and the actions that the parties to the MCA commit to in order to achieve those outcomes. Biological and other evaluations may be needed to help define the specific conservation targets, threats and strategies, as well as the baselines necessary for the monitoring framework.

The components of the conservation commitment section in an MCA include, at a minimum:

• Conservation outcomes (e.g., species to be protected; if the outcome is a protected area, the size, location, legal status of the MPA)
• Actions by the right-holders and other direct stakeholders (e.g., create a community protected area, stop fishing a particular species, stop a destructive practice, don’t grant fishing rights, transfer rights or ownership to the conservation organization)
• Actions by the lead conservation organization (e.g., capacity building, help in securing land rights, support in enforcement, implementation activities, acceptance of rights from right-holders)

Next Sub-step

After establishing the conservation commitments, recipient benefits must be determined.

Proceed to 3.2 Recipient Benefits

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