**The title, authors, and abstract for this completion
report are provided below. For a copy of
the completion report, please contact the GLFC via e-mail or via telephone at 734-662-3209**
Great
Lakes Aquatic Protected Areas
2 Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 501
University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N6
3 Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6
March 2010
ABSTRACT:
Fishes and their habitats receive various
levels of protection at sites throughout the Laurentian Great Lakes.
Ecosystem-level management strategies can use Aquatic Protected Areas (APAs) to buffer against over-exploitation and uncertainty
in population assessments and ecological understanding, and to protect aquatic
habitats. Given current levels of decline in freshwater fish biodiversity and
the relative importance of habitat loss in the imperilment of many fish species
in and around the Great Lakes, the appeal of precautionary ecosystem-level
management is increasing. To determine the types and amounts of protection
afforded to fishes and their habitats, we created an inventory of APAs in the Great Lakes and connected waters used by Great
Lakes fishes, including sites in both Canada and the United States. Latitudinal
trends in the size and number of APAs were apparent,
with fewer, larger sites being established at higher latitudes in the basin.
The relative effectiveness of different types of APAs
for fish management and conservation was examined using time series data, and
by comparing temporally coincident communities within and outside APAs. Fish biodiversity was typically higher within areas
that permanently protect fish habitats, although a latitudinal trend in species
richness was also apparent. Finally, a Gap Analysis was conducted to identify
species and habitats that are currently under-represented within the current APA network. A draft theme paper was submitted to the Great
Lakes Fishery Commission detailing the project results above and indicating
research gaps and opportunities. Key research opportunities included developing
new APAs and conducting Before-After Control-Impact
analyses to identify factors that affect APA success.
Additionally, the existing diversity of APAs in the
Great Lakes provides an excellent opportunity to combine assessments of various
individual APAs within a meta-analysis to similarly
identify critical factors. A manuscript accepted by Aquatic Ecosystem Health
and Management examined the use of APAs in large
lakes throughout the world. APAs are used globally
but the permanent protection of freshwater habitats is usually unintentional,
occurring because of the protection of nearby cultural or recreational areas.
The current use of APAs in the Laurentian Great Lakes
is consistent with the global trend. However, the existing research
opportunities and infrastructure provide timely opportunities for Laurentian
Great Lakes research to reach a global audience and impact management
strategies in diverse ecosystems.