Penguins and MPAs in Argentina, what?s next?

GARCIA BORBOROGLU, P.; FILIPPO, PABLO; REYES, LAURA MARINA; GIACCARDI, MARICEL; BOERSMA, DEE

Dunedin

Congreso; International Penguin Congress; 2019

University of Otago

The Argentine Sea has 1,500,000 km2 and 5,800 km of coastline. Three decades ago, the marine area protected was lower than 0.3%, restricted to small coastal sites. The protected area (PA) is now 8%, mainly due to the recent creation of 3 large Marine National Parks(MNP). The UN?s Conventions on Biological Diversity goal is to protect 10% of the marine surface by 2020. Argentina now has 63 coastal-marine PAs, of which only 25 include some small marine component and 3 are exclusively oceanic. Ten PAs benefit penguin breeding or foraging areas. GPS worked with government to designate a Biosphere Reserve of 8 million acres including 25 colonies and the MPA at Punta Tombo. GPS has also designed management plans for 18 penguin colonies and assisted decision makers in their implementation. GPS?s joint efforts with other NGOs and the government catalysed the creation of the first three large MNP, promoted legislation that created an MPA system, helped identify key areas, and continued working until their designation. GPS is working with other NGO?s on proposals for new MNPs that extend protection in national waters during penguin foraging and migration trips. We discuss the political, social and economic challenges in this developing country and discuss if current protection fits conservation needs. Penguins are iconic animals in public perception. GPS contributed to showcase how penguins benefit from MPAs in the argentine policy making process. We helped galvanizing policy makers positive perception on this conservation tool, an experience that could be explored in other countries.