COASTAL PARTICIPATION PROCESS
The review process of coastal marine protected areas differs in that it covers a greater diversity and intensity of uses and activities for which the implementation of MPAs may have impacts. These uses and activities are of a different nature from those that occur in ocean areas, as well as to a distinct group of stakeholders, so for practical reasons, two participatory processes were carried out:
1
OCEANIC PARTICIPATORY PROCESS
Focused on areas between 6 and 200 nautical miles of the coast.
2
COASTAL PARTICIPATORY PROCESS
Focused on the areas between the coastline and the 6 nautical miles.
The "6 nautical miles" limit was based on existing legislation - which divides the type of human activities that take place inside and outside the 6 nautical miles since the users of these two areas are different. Thus, the 6 miles were accepted as a limit to differentiate the coastal process from the oceanic process.
SYSTEMATIC CONSERVATION PLANNING (SCP) AND THE
MAPPING OF COASTAL USES OF THE OCEAN
Similar to the oceanic participatory process, the review of coastal MPAs is based on a sound scientific process for identifying priority areas for conservation. This process aims to provide guidance on objectives, targets and criteria to be adopted, to produce a portfolio of natural values for each Island, and to develop conservation scenarios, following the Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) approach, and thus base the participatory process on the best available scientific knowledge.
To date have been mapped about:
1.3 milion
records
1600 marine species
in the Azores
This scientific support will support the participatory process by informing interested parties of scientific information available, the incorporating their contributions and producing conservation scenarios to be discussed with them and evaluated by the Regional Government of the Azores.
The "Mapping of Coastal Ocean Uses" project, promoted by the Regional Government of the Azores and carried out by the Blue Azores program, was the first scientific support initiative for the review of coastal MPAs. This project was conducted by regional, national and international experts, with the aim of, together with the Azorean community, identifying coastal marine áreas and environments that are of value or use through a participatory mapping. The results of this survey allowed the production of use intensity maps that reflect the individual responses from all sectors, and the evaluation of use patterns of the coastal areas of the Azores Sea.
Participatory mapping is a fundamental tool for promoting greater collaboration, inclusion and effectiveness in the development of projects and policies that directly affect the lives of communities. By valuing local knowledge and including the voice of residents in the process, outcomes can be more equitable and sustainable.
2,483 responses were collected, representing the ocean use patterns of 5,050 sea users from all sectors.
In parallel with the participatory mapping, scientific work is being carried out to identify priority areas for conservation, which will serve as a basis for the planning of coastal MPAs.
SESSIONS
The coastal participatory process began in January 2023, with the first three public sessions being held on the islands of Santa Maria, Graciosa and São Jorge. These sessions aimed to:
1
Inform the population about the program and the coastal participatory process.
3
Clarify the function of the participatory process.
2
Create an opportunity for local people to have their say in the future of conserving their sea.
4
Encourage participants who may not feel represented by any entity or association to join the working session themselves.
After mapping the uses and activities of the adjacent coastal areas of each island, a participatory model was chosen that would promote knowledge sharing and consensus in the process of co-creation of the new coastal marine protected areas – the Communities of Practice (CoP).
These communities are characterized by an informal interaction, based on relationships of trust, where participation occurs in a collaborative and dynamic way.
What are Communities of Practice?
Based on the learning theory of Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger, Communities of Practice (CoP) encourage collective knowledge building and problem-solving through interaction among members.
By integrating these communities in participatory processes, collective knowledge is utilized, inclusion is promoted and more robust and consensual decisions are made, aiming to make the participatory process more meaningful and fair.
During Coastal Participatory Process, the CoP have the participation of members of institutions and associations committed to representing, in the best possible way, the users of the coastal sea of the islands.
The selection of the entities present in this second session is carried out by the municipalities and members of the working group of the coastal participatory process, as well as by participants identified during the public clarification session, in order to include representatives of user groups and/or activities not previously covered.
In the Community of Practice, two exercises are carried out:
EXERCISE 1
Introduce
participants.
Familiarize participants with the existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the different protection statuses.
Identify gaps in the management and implementation of MPAs, and problems at the boundaries of these areas.
EXERCIZE 2
Introduce work session
participants.
Familiarize participants with the results of the "Mapping Ocean Coastal Uses" survey.
Identify information gaps and validate the areas represented.
Identify information gaps and validate the areas represented.
THE SESSIONS IN NUMBERS
186
Participants in
3 Public Sessions
75
Participants in 3 meetings with
Fishermen's Associations
66
Participants in 3 local meetings with Fishermen's Associations
12
Preparatory meetings with municipalities
The diploma for the second amendment to the Azores Marine Park has been approved, and the participatory process for revising the Coastal Marine Protected Areas will be resumed shortly. It is crucial to ensure the active participation of stakeholders from all islands for the success of RAMPA. The sharing of island-specific scientific knowledge is essential to create an effective MPA network that protects and recovers the biodiversity of the Azores Sea.
GALLERY
Santa Maria | 30-31 Jan 2023
Graciosa | Mar 6-7 2023
São Jorge | Mar 16-17 2023
