Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Marine
Protected Areas (MPAs) are defined areas in the ocean that are designated for
conservation as part of an ecosystem-based management (EBM) approach to
protecting marine resources.
MPAs are demarcated by law, and can include intertidal, sub-tidal, and pelagic environments. Within these environments, governance systems are implemented to protect the relevant body of water, bottom, marine/terrestrial flora and fauna and notable historical and cultural features.
There are many different types of MPAs, with protection measures that range from multiple-use (i.e. allowing some types of fishing, or certain recreational activities) to ‘no-take zones’ (i.e. no extractive activities such as fishing, mining, drilling are allowed). Some MPAs restrict certain areas to one specific use (e.g. local fishing), according to the overall needs of a particular area.
As of 2010, there were approximately 6,800 MPAs around the globe (Toropova et al. 2010).
MPAs are demarcated by law, and can include intertidal, sub-tidal, and pelagic environments. Within these environments, governance systems are implemented to protect the relevant body of water, bottom, marine/terrestrial flora and fauna and notable historical and cultural features.
There are many different types of MPAs, with protection measures that range from multiple-use (i.e. allowing some types of fishing, or certain recreational activities) to ‘no-take zones’ (i.e. no extractive activities such as fishing, mining, drilling are allowed). Some MPAs restrict certain areas to one specific use (e.g. local fishing), according to the overall needs of a particular area.
As of 2010, there were approximately 6,800 MPAs around the globe (Toropova et al. 2010).
Global Extent of Marine Protected Areas
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Which Goals Does This Affect?
Features of Marine Protected Areas Worldwide
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Great Barrier Reef Marine Protected Area Zoning
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How Was It Measured?
The Ocean Health Index measures MPAs in two ways. The
percent of the total EEZ area of each country that is designated for MPAs was
measured for the Wild-Caught Fisheries sub-goal of Food Provision, Iconic
Species sub-goal of Sense of Place, and both sub-goals of Biodiversity. For
Artisanal Fishing Opportunities, Natural Products and Carbon Storage, the Index
measured the percentage of area within 3 nautical miles (nmi) offshore that is
designated as an MPA. The rationale for using a narrower area is that nearshore
habitats and species are the most important ecosystems to protect in order to
achieve these goals, while open ocean protected areas would do little to
sustain them.
For the Lasting Special Places sub-goal of Sense of Place, the Index measured the percentage of area within 3 nmi offshore that is designated as an MPA, plus the percentage of coastal area within a 1 km-wide strip parallel to the shore that has protected status. In each instance, the Index utilized data from the United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Center (UNEP-WCMC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and the Sea Around Us project.
For the Lasting Special Places sub-goal of Sense of Place, the Index measured the percentage of area within 3 nmi offshore that is designated as an MPA, plus the percentage of coastal area within a 1 km-wide strip parallel to the shore that has protected status. In each instance, the Index utilized data from the United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Center (UNEP-WCMC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and the Sea Around Us project.
What Are The Impacts?
ECOLOGICAL IMPACT
MPAs are increasingly recognized as an effective
measure for protecting endangered species and ensuring marine biodiversity.
By offering protection from certain pressures, such as fishing, MPAs may allow species to better withstand pressures such as sea surface temperature (SST) rise and ocean acidification, resulting in greater overall marine health within designated areas.
By offering protection from certain pressures, such as fishing, MPAs may allow species to better withstand pressures such as sea surface temperature (SST) rise and ocean acidification, resulting in greater overall marine health within designated areas.
HUMAN HEALTH IMPACT
Many MPAs
encompass critical breeding grounds and nurseries for fish. Spillover from
these growing populations can enhance fisheries surrounding MPA borders. The increased
abundance and size of commercially important species provide a vital source of
food (fish and shellfish) for human consumption.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
MPAs provide and
support a broad range of sustainable coastal livelihoods.
People whose livelihoods are directly tied to MPAs have a higher average income than people whose livelihoods are marine-based but not tied to the Marine Management Area (MMA) (Samonte-tan et al. 2010).
Protected breeding and nursery grounds within MPAs may increase populations of some commercially viable species (e.g. finfish and shellfish).
People whose livelihoods are directly tied to MPAs have a higher average income than people whose livelihoods are marine-based but not tied to the Marine Management Area (MMA) (Samonte-tan et al. 2010).
Protected breeding and nursery grounds within MPAs may increase populations of some commercially viable species (e.g. finfish and shellfish).
What Has Been Done?
Multiple-Use Reserve Brings Regional Support for Marine Management Areas (MMAs) in Brazil
The
Marine Extractive Reserve of Corumbau (MERC) was created along the coast of
Southern Bahia in Brazil in order to maintain commercially important fish
populations that had diminished due to heavy fishing pressure. By establishing fishing regulations and
no-take zones within the multiple-use reserve, the size and abundance of
targeted fish stocks within the MERC and surrounding areas were significantly
increased within a period of five years.
Supporting Biodiversity in the Gulf of California
Established
in 1995, the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park in Baja, CA has seen a dramatic
increase in biodiversity in the past fifteen years. By treating the entire park as a no-fishing
zone, the size and diversity of important predatory fish have risen
significantly, allowing for beneficial ecotourism in the area.
Get More Information
World Database on Marine Protected Areas (WDPA)
The
WDPA provides a comprehensive data set of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
worldwide.
Protect Planet Ocean (PPO)
PPO
is an initiative by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme- World
Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP- WCMC), providing definitions,
information, and resources regarding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), marine
reserves, and Marine World Heritage Sites.
Marine Protected Areas Research Group (MPARG)
The
MPARG undertakes research programs that focus on the establishment and
management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the importance of advancing
knowledge in this field.
National Geographic Mission Blue: Sylvia Earle Alliance (SEA)
This
is a global partnership initiative aimed at restoring health and productivity
to the ocean by inspiring public awareness and support of Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs).
United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP – WCMC)
The
global network of designated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is on the rise as
indicated by these A-Z Areas of Biodiversity Importance.
Science-to-Action Partnership
This
partnership was established to determine the progress of Marine Management Areas
(MMAs) in regard to management goals when assessing successful MMAs.
References
Alvarez-Filip, L., Reyes-Bonilla, H. & Calderon-Aguilera, L. E. Community structure of fishes in Cabo Pulmo Reef, Gulf of California. Marine Ecology 27, 253–262 (2006).
Campson, T., Pomeroy, R., Dahlgren, C., Gopal, S., Kaufman, L., Patel, H., Shank, B., and Bertrand, J.F. Integrated Social and Ecological Report for Non-Node and Node Sites. Marine Managed Area Science Technical Report. (Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia, USA, 2008).
Edgar, G. J. et al. El Niño, grazers and fisheries interact to greatly elevate extinction risk for Galapagos marine species. Global Change Biology 16, 2876–2890 (2010).
Phillips, Adrian & Kelleher, G. Guidelines for Marine Protected Areas. 127 (World Commission on Protected Areas: 1999).
Leão
de Moura, R. & Dutra, G. F. Core Ecological Monitoring. 12 (Conservation International: Washington D.C., United States, 2010).
Merino, G., Maynou, F. & Boncoeur, J. Bioeconomic model for a three-zone Marine Protected Area: a case study of Medes Islands (northwest Mediterranean). ICES J. Mar. Sci. 66, 147–154 (2009).
Roberts, C. M., Bohnsack, J. A., Gell, F., Hawkins, J. P. & Goodridge, R. Effects of Marine Reserves on Adjacent Fisheries. Science 294, 1920–1923 (2001).
Samonte-Tan, G., Maté, J., Suman, D., Catzim-Sanchez, A., Haylock, D., Baleeiro Curado, I., Fong, P., Quiroga, D., Mena ,C., and Wang, X. Cross-node socioeconomic and governance assessments of MMAs. Marine Managed Area Science Technical Report. (Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia, USA. 2010).
Toropova, C., Meliane, I., Laffoley, D., Matthews, E. and Spalding, M. (eds.) Global ocean protection: Present status and future possibilities. Brest, France: Agence des aires marines protégées. (IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. 2010).
World Conservation
Congress. (2008). Marine protected areas: Good for fish! Good for people?
Summary. Proceedings from Alliance Workshop, October 2008.
PHOTO(S): © Keith A. Ellenbogen