We did examine the concept of ecological integrity when we saw the original amendment, and it is a concept that's used obviously more in a terrestrial context, but our understanding in the marine context is that this would allow for the establishment, for example, of what would be considered a marine reserve in other countries. It's one where the primary reason for creating that protected area would be to preserve the ecological integrity of the whole area for particular species, etc. It's a concept that is also linked to marine protected area networks in the sense that you are trying to link ecologically different sites, but it is a policy practice in the oceans program, especially in network development, to seek ecological integrity.
On December 7th, 2017. See this statement in context.