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Rapid Response MPAs
 Conservation Science Institute (CSI) Rapid Response Marine Protected Area (MPA) Assessment Program
The goal of the CSI Rapid Response MPA Assessment Program is to help countries establish MPAs quickly in cases of potentially rapid degradation of ecosystems. Normally, MPAs should be planned in light of rigorous analyses of social, economic, and ecological considerations. CSI's emergency assessment program would produce reports for the purpose of developing a national or regional plan for conservation and sustainable use of resources. The use of the rapid response program should be utilized ONLY in emergency cases.
MPAs conserve biodiversity and help rebuild ocean productivity. They aim to achieve the three main objectives of the World Conservation Strategy;
_ to maintain essential ecological processes ;
_ to preserve biological diversity (Both species and genetic diversity); and
_ to ensure the sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems.
In some cases, normal regular MPA planning processes may be too slow to provide timely protection resulting in a permanent loss of species and habitat. Our goal is to jump-start the process with a credible ecologically-based assessment of the situation in cases of particularly threatened regions or marine habitats.
CSI will make rapid recommendations for MPA network designs in these cases. Our audience will include teams of experts (A broad international collaboration of conservation organizations, educational and research organizations, the local and global communities, trade partners of the countries concerned, and the United Nations). We will provide the concerned government(s) with the documentation and study results needed for quick action towards beginning the process of MPA establishment. The criteria to be considered for the identification and selection of marine reserve networks for the CSI Rapid Response MPA Assessment Program are:
conservation values,
ecological importance,
uniqueness,
biogeographical importance,
international or national importance,
vulnerability and threats,
productivity,
naturalness,
representativeness,
comprehensiveness,
economic interests, and
social interests.
Contact the Conservation Science Institute executive director for additional information.
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