Capacity shortfalls hinder the performance of marine protected areas globally

Gill, David A., Mascia, Michael B., Ahmadia, Gabby N., Glew, Louise, Lester, Sarah E., Barnes, Megan, Craigie, Ian, Darling, Emily S., Free, Christopher M., Geldmann, Jonas, Holst, Susie, Jensen, Olaf P., White, Alan T., Basurto, Xavier, Coad, Lauren, Gates, Ruth D., Guannel, Greg, Mumby, Peter J., Thomas, Hannah, Whitmee, Sarah, Woodley, Stephen, and Fox, Helen E. (2017) Capacity shortfalls hinder the performance of marine protected areas globally. Nature, 543 (7647). pp. 665-669.

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Abstract

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly being used globally to conserve marine resources. However, whether many MPAs are being effectively and equitably managed, and how MPA management influences substantive outcomes remain unknown. We developed a global database of management and fish population data (433 and 218 MPAs, respectively) to assess: MPA management processes; the effects of MPAs on fish populations; and relationships between management processes and ecological effects. Here we report that many MPAs failed to meet thresholds for effective and equitable management processes, with widespread shortfalls in staff and financial resources. Although 71% of MPAs positively influenced fish populations, these conservation impacts were highly variable. Staff and budget capacity were the strongest predictors of conservation impact: MPAs with adequate staff capacity had ecological effects 2.9 times greater than MPAs with inadequate capacity. Thus, continued global expansion of MPAs without adequate investment in human and financial capacity is likely to lead to sub-optimal conservation outcomes.

Item ID: 50487
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1476-4687
Funders: National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center, National Science Foundation (NSF), Luc Hoffmann Institute
Projects and Grants: NSF DBI-1052875
Date Deposited: 20 Sep 2017 09:33
FoR Codes: 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410401 Conservation and biodiversity @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9607 Environmental Policy, Legislation and Standards > 960701 Coastal and Marine Management Policy @ 100%
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