Selection of Marine Protected Areas has been done both through both science-based and community-based techniques. Science-based methods often are prohibitively slow and fail to incorporate the needs of local communities. Community-based methods may result in protection of areas that are not the biological priorities. 

This article examines a case in British Columbia where both strategies were utilized. With the assistance of the program Marxan, both sets of information were combined to form a new map. The case study outlines the methodology used in an example of local and scientific knowledge coming together effectively. The authors are hopeful that approaching Marine Protected Area selection by integrating community and science-based data will offer a more productive and expedient means to conservation of marine resources. Any success, however, is highly dependent on having good data from both sides.

This article is availble for members of ConserveOnline at the URL above.