Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) team managing large-scale marine protected areas

MMS is honored to have been invited to lead discussions last week on the experience and knowledge that the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) team has on managing large-scale marine protected areas. Along with facilitation partners from Conservation International/Hawaii Fish Trust and the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, several sessions were held with government and non-government representatives on a variety of topics, including enforcement and permitting, scientific research, Native Hawaiian cultural practices, policy, evaluation, and administration, finance, and operations.

The facilitation team comes away from last week both enlightened and humbled by the depth of knowledge and expertise that PMNM represents after 13 years of operation. Such expertise and knowledge will serve as an invaluable source of lessons learned and recommended practice for those who are just getting started with large-scale marine protection.