Establishing resilient marine protected area networks - making it happen

Abstract

This guide pools global experience on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and is intended to be useful to countries and their various organisations in building effective networks of MPAs. It also highlights global commitments for marine conservation and shows how to move from individual MPA sites to an effective system of national and regional MPA networks. Coastal and marine ecosystems are in decline worldwide. Over-fishing, runoff of nutrients and other land-based pollutants, habitat degradation and the increasing impacts of climate change are leading to ecosystem collapses in all the major coastal and ocean regions of the world. In response to a growing recognition of the need for conservation efforts, as seen through the degradation of ocean systems, MPAs are being established worldwide. If designed correctly and managed well, MPAs have an important role to play in protection of ecosystems and, in some cases, enhancing or restoring the productive potential of coastal and marine fisheries. The publication notes that several cross-cutting themes identified in this guide should ideally be incorporated into the planning and implementation of MPA networks to increase their likelihood of success. These broad themes are extremely useful to keep in the forefront of thinking, planning and application in the various contexts of work. These themes include: know what problems MPAs can address - it is important to understand how MPAs and MPA networks can address the problems of habitat degradation, over-fishing and impacts of climate change try to scale up to MPA networks - the benefits of individual well-managed MPAs are significant while networks of MPAs, when well-planned, can add up to more than the sum of their individual MPA parts adapt to the context in which an MPA network is being developed - the context of planning and managing MPAs and MPA networks will greatly influence the outcome adopt implementation strategies that build sustainability - ensuring long-term success in our dynamic world requires that implementation of MPA networks is supported by political will and leadership and has a foundation of an educated and supportive public and stakeholders. The guide concludes that the next step is to continue to educate and to raise awareness among key stakeholders about the value of MPAs and networks based on positive results. Thus, our challenge is to put our ideals, words and lessons into action. This will only lead to more and better MPAs.