Measuring MaPP’s Progress
Our Nations have high hopes for the Central Coast Marine Planning Partnership (MaPP) plan to create healthy coastal ecosystems and a vibrant future for our Nations. At the core of this work is a desire to maintain and enhance ecological systems and human wellbeing over the long term. Measuring our progress is critical as we begin implementing the MaPP plan.
How will we measure if MaPP is working?
As part of the MaPP plan a set of indicators are being developed to track changes in the state of environmental and human wellbeing in our territories.
Multiple indicators will be selected within seven different categories or themes. The categories include:
- Species and habitats
- Climate change and oceanography
- Clean water
- Seafood
- Sense of place and wellbeing
- Stewardship and governance
- Coastal development and livelihoods
What are some examples of indicators?
Under the Species and Habitats category, indicators may include: herring spawn distribution and biomass, salmon abundance, eel grass biomass, kelp forest canopy cover and Dungeness crab status.
Under the category of Coastal Development and Livelihoods indicators like participation in the workforce, local business ownership, regional wealth, and the number of commercial and recreational licenses and tenures held by our people, could be monitored over time.
Who will do the monitoring work?
The First Nations and Provincial MaPP partners will partner with academia, governments and other organizations to collect existing indicator data. Where data gaps exist on the central coast, our Guardian Watchmen will play a leadership role in data collection and monitoring.
What will the indicators tell us?
Keeping tabs on these indicators over time will create a comprehensive picture of where the MaPP plan is succeeding and where more work is needed to meet our objectives. This work will also provide warning signs about potential or growing threats to marine systems and inform resource management decisions.
