Knowing what you need beforehand will allow you to save time and complete the form more easily. Please write in your own words and make sure you save regularly using the ‘save’ button to avoid losing your work. This will also allow you to revisit the nomination if you don’t complete it in one go.
You will need to prepare the following information to fill out the nomination form (Remember, bold is for basic information; otherwise please answer all the questions in the nomination form):
1.1 Hold significant/representative populations of rare or endemic species yes no unsure | 1.1 Comments: e.g. We have a breeding population of grey reef sharks found now where else in the region… |
1.2 Contain umbrella species yes no unsure | 1.2 Comments: |
1.3 Hold a wide diversity of species yes no unsure | 1.3 Comments: |
1.4 Hold a significant process or ecosystem here (e.g. phytoplankton bloom, reefs, kelp forests) yes no unsure | 1.4 Comments: |
1.5 Contain the site of significant event (breeding/spawning) yes no unsure | 1.5 Comments: |
1.6 Cover the location of species assemblages (e.g. breeding and aggregation of mammals-corals-fish) yes no unsure | 1.6 Comments: |
1.7 Hold importance for the dispersal of adults and/or juveniles yes no unsure | 1.7 Comments: |
1.8 Potentially have a spill-over effect if under legal protection yes no unsure | 1.8 Comments: |
2.1 Placed on or is a migration route yes no unsure | 2.1 Comments: |
2.2 A site that enhances connectivity between other marine protected areas or specific populations yes no unsure | 2.2 Comments: |
2.3 An area of cultural significance to a local or regional population (historical, cultural or spiritual value) yes no unsure | 2.3 Comments: |
2.4 A nomination that has community based support yes no unsure | 2.4 Comments: |
2.5 A site that contains economic/touristic appeal (natural spectacle) yes no unsure | 2.5 Comments: |
2.6 Made up of significant aesthetic qualities that it can attract attention to threatened or weakened ecological qualities yes no unsure | 2.6 Comments: |
3.1 Potentially encouraging of scientific research projects yes no unsure | 3.1 Comments: |
3.2 Accessible for educational projects, directly or indirectly (through digital means) yes no unsure | 3.2 Comments: |
3.3 Made up of a ‘Star’ quality not already mentioned, with potential to make a difference in the final decision. (Be creative here) yes no unsure | 3.3 Comments: |
7. What organizations are currently involved in supporting this Hope Spot proposal and who is their primary contact(s)? This can include governmental or non-governmental organizations, if any. Contact details will be kept in confidence unless otherwise authorized and used only for validating information.
8. How is the Hope Spot threatened and what is its current level of protection?
9. Your concrete goals for the proposed Hope Spot if Mission Blue officially accepts it
10. Any governmental interest in this proposed Hope Spot and how it might “fit in” with existing marine protected areas of the country of jurisdiction (if any)
11. Any other sources of information on the proposed Hope Spot, e.g. articles, stories, scientific papers, reports & photos you might have available
12. Additional comments.
13. How your proposed Hope Spot will provide HOPE for the future. You can be as creative as you wish here.
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* Example to the question “Why is the proposed site special?”:
All {number} species of salmon {species names} exist in the watershed, which is incredibly unique. The estuary itself currently has native eelgrass {name}, located in over half of the estuary. This species provides habitat for many others making it essential habitat for Pacific marine ecosystems, specifically salmon juveniles too small to go to sea. Eelgrass in the {location} inlet has been decimated over last 100 years and this is one of the only locations within the inlet that has a healthy eelgrass population. Habitat-wise this site is known for its special off shore {name} Sponge reefs, found only here. The Reefs also provide homes for endangered fish like {examples} are a significant spawning and nursery area for the Pacific {fish names}. More than 50 seabird colonies are found here where over 240,000 pairs of {bird names} are found supported by the straits. There are also numbers of {names} which appear on the IUCN redlist of threatened species under Concern category. Orcas, {name} porpoises and {name} dolphins are regularly spotted throughout the year, while {name} whales are frequent summer visitors. {name} sea lions and {name} seals live here as permanent residents. The shallow banks and upwelling areas are very important to summering and migrating birds which can be found feeding on a variety of 21 invertebrates for example {name}. On a cultural level the area is significant as well. The reef is also of great importance to the local {name} community and is considered to have historical sites under water yet to be discovered. Because of all these attractions, this site is highly attractive to tourists (a market study showed the tourism value here to be worth over $2 million/year) who have only recently started arriving. With some help we can increase efforts already started to encourage responsible use of this area and set up an NGO to create a management plan of the site.
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