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An international gathering of marine scientists, MPA managers, conservationists, fishermen and anglers begins in Devon today (Monday 26th September 2011) with the aim of improving the way we protect our seas.
The MAIA International Workshop at Dartington Hall (26th-29th September) has been set up to identify best practice when it comes to planning and managing the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) which are being created throughout Europe. MAIA is an international partnership bringing together nine separate organisations in four countries (UK, France, Spain & Portugal), all involved in the preservation of the bio-diversity of our coastal and offshore waters.
During the course of the four-day seminar, representatives from member countries will be joined by experts from the USA to discuss the varying methods being used to designate and operate the MPAs which will offer lasting protection to marine habitats and wildlife within the Atlantic Arc region of Europe.
This event represents the first time that European stakeholders (such as fishermen, conservationists, MPA managers and sea anglers) will have been able to listen to the perspectives and experiences of their counterparts. Due to the international nature of the event, all sessions will be simultaneously translated into French, Spanish and English.
The four-day seminar will particularly focus on the efforts being made to involve a wide range of interested parties in the creation of MPAs. It will feature sessions including:
* The involvement of stakeholders in previous MPA developments
* The methods used to get stakeholders involved and to map their input.
* The best ways of resolving disputes between stakeholders with conflicting interests.
The workshops will feature speakers from the UK, France, Spain, Portugal and the USA, who will talk about the creation and management of a number of MPAs including Galicia’s National Park ‘De las Islas Atlánticas’ and the Iroise Sea Marine Natur Park in Brittany. Delegates will also hear from those involved in Finding Sanctuary, the two-year project set up to recommend locations for marine conservation zones in the South West.
Amandine Eynaudi is the Project Manager for MAIA; she believes the international gathering will present a valuable opportunity to share best practice.
She says: “From the Shetland Islands to the Azores, from the UK to Portugal, the conservation of marine biodiversity has become a key national issue for European countries bordering the Atlantic, especially through the creation of Marine Protected Areas.
“Marine life doesn’t recognise national boundaries, so it’s vital that the different nations work together to ensure the health of our waters. Nations may take different approaches but by collaborating we can make sure we create a coherent and accepted network of MPAs and also that we benefit from the experiences of others working towards the same goals.”
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