Sharing victories: Characteristics of collaborative relationships within the marine conservation sector

At the 10th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 2010, Canada committed to protecting 10% of Canada’s territorial ocean by the year 2020. Shortly after the election in 2015, the government... [ view full abstract ]

At the 10th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 2010, Canada committed to protecting 10% of Canada’s territorial ocean by the year 2020. Shortly after the election in 2015, the government convened a meeting for Environmental Non-Government Organizations (eNGOs) to enlist their help in achieving these targets. By engaging with eNGOs to solicit their assistance with the 2020 targets, the federal government encouraged their active participation in the decision-making process. In this more inclusive environment, many Canadian eNGOs have chosen to work collaboratively to align their messaging and advance a conservation agenda.

A case study of two eNGOs: World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF), and the Ecology Action Centre (EAC), examined the nature of those formal and informal collaborative relationships. The study focused on the efforts of WWF and EAC on the design and implementation of three MPAs: the Laurentian Channel and Western/Emerald Banks Conservation Area in the Atlantic and the Scott Islands in the Pacific. The study shows that collaboration between eNGOs is essential for their work because it allows them to share information, best practices, and to demonstrate a united front on certain issues. The study further uncovered some of the enablers and barriers to successful partnerships between conservation organizations. This research presents key findings focused on the efforts of WWF and EAC on the design and implementation of MPAs, and makes recommendations for effective collaborative work within the Atlantic eNGO community.