IMPAC

The IMPAC series are a high-quality and professionally coordinated international congress which:

• Allows managers and practitioners of marine protected areas to exchange ideas and learn for each other;
• Defines recommendations to orient relevant global, regional and national policy processes;
• Assist in the establishment and ongoing implementation of global, lasting, ecologically representative and effectively managed network of MPAs, in coherence with the sustainable development of coastal and marine activities;
• Strives to inform, involve and influence stakeholders at different stages.

Since 2005, the MPA global community has convened every four years at IMPAC, a congress designed for managers and practitioners of marine conservation through MPAs. IMPAC aims at sharing knowledge and experiences, and joining efforts to strengthen best practices on MPA appliance and management, for the effective conservation of marine biodiversity, and natural and cultural heritage of the oceans.

The three first versions of IMPAC were held with big affluence and success in Geelong, Australia (2005), Washington, D.C., United States of America (2009), and Marseille, France (2013). IMPAC has not only grown in participants and representation of different countries and organizations committed with MPAs but also gathered momentum as a highly relevant platform both technically and politically to promote MPAs as a key instrument for ocean sustainability.

During the last couple of years, our country –Chile- has created several large and coastal MPAs, highlighting its engagement to advance in the protection of marine habitats and dedicating efforts toward management effectiveness of MPAs. We are moved by our strong commitment to conservation and sustainable use of marine ecosystems as the only means for development of vibrant coastal communities and all beneficiaries of marine biodiversity.

A vision and core principles for the IMPAC series of congresses:

“A high quality and professionally coordinated international congress with the primary aim to assist MPA managers and practitioners to exchange ideas and learn from others, in order to assist in the establishment and ongoing implementation of a global, ecologically representative system of effectively managed and lasting network of MPAs”

The above vision for IMPAC congresses recognises there are very few opportunities for on-ground MPA staff/practitioners (such as planners, managers and field staff) to exchange ideas and learn from others, whereas there many other fora for the scientific aspects/research relating to MPAs (eg. ICRS, IMCC, SCB mtgs) or for the more political or policy-related MPA events (like CBD, COPs, WCC, WPC, Ocean Forum, WON, etc).

Core principles to be applied to all IMPAC events:

1. All successive IMPAC congresses and IMPAC events must ensure the above IMPAC Vision is upheld.

2. As far as is possible, all IMPAC congresses will:

• 2.1 Be held once every four years;
• 2.2 Provide an international forum for MPA managers and practitioners to exchange ideas and learn from others; and
• 2.3 Build upon the reputation and success developed by the first IMPAC congress (IMPAC1) held in Geelong, Australia in 2005.[1]

3. Ensure a reasonable level of continuity between IMPAC congresses and maintain the IMPAC vision, while recognising that a process of continuous improvement is important at each successive congress and that many valuable lessons will be learnt from preceding IMPAC events.

4. Ensure that each IMPAC congress focuses on a select number of key themes and/or activities (rather than aiming to address too broad a number of issues relating to MPAs); these themes should foster innovation and best practice at the level of the on-ground MPA practitioner in areas such as park-level policy and management, planning, operational management, partnerships, education, training, enforcement, research and performance measurement.

5. Ensure the continuity of the IMPAC ‘brand’; this includes retaining the IMPAC logo comprising the three stylized ‘fish/wave’ symbols on top of the words ‘IMPACx’.

6. Any decision on hosts for the IMPAC series and therefore location of future IMPAC events will be taken by the IMPAC family of hosts in association with the Marine Vice Chair of IUCN’s WCPA who will make the final decision should any differences of view arise.