State of Protection for Migratory Marine Connectivity

Migratory species connect our world both biologically and politically. This spatial and temporal linkage between breeding and non-breeding areas is known as migratory connectivity, which underpins the population persistence of some of the most charismatic species in our oceans. International conventions play a crucial role for migratory species conservation by bringing together nations to respond to transboundary environmental challenges. In recent years, area-based conservation has become a notable focus in several of these multilateral agreements. Targets for protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030 (“30 by 30”) from the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the push for new area-based management tools from the recently ratified High Seas Treaty have resulted in significant international momentum to establish marine protected areas (MPAs). It is therefore particularly timely to identify the best ways to effectively leverage this momentum for ensuring marine migratory species and connectivity are incorporated into future protected area design. For migratory species whose population persistence depends on connectivity between key spatially explicit life stages, disconnected protection can mean ineffective protection. We propose a new framework for evaluating protected area coverage of important migratory life history sites at the network level. Our framework defines three classifications - 1) symmetrically protected - where all connected migratory sites are adequately covered by marine protected areas; 2) asymmetrically protected - where only some sites are met with adequate protection; and 3) none - where no migratory sites are protected. We apply this framework to assess protection coverage of important areas delineated by species specialists and marine managers such as Important Marine Mammal Areas and Key Biodiversity Areas. These datasets are publicly accessible and policy-oriented, and provide a global-level overview to help target research and conservation efforts. This analysis will unveil where migratory marine megafauna are being insufficiently protected, critical knowledge gaps on currently available information on marine connectivity, and opportunities for high-impact transboundary collaboration. This framework will provide governments, corporations, and other stakeholders an early assessment of responsibility for migratory marine species conservation - providing a much-needed tool to better understand how we can better protect our vulnerable ocean wanderers.