A new study reviews 81 publications about Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in 37 countries. It shows how their establishment has benefited commercial fisheries in 25 countries and tourism in 24 countries. These benefits cover a diversity of ecosystems, including coral reefs, kelp forests, and mangroves.
MPAs have been used as a conservation measure for decades, but critics continue to argue that evidence of their economic benefits is weak, particularly with regard to fisheries. Furthermore, despite claims in the research literature of fishery displacement due to the establishment of an MPA, it seems the benefits outweigh any temporary disruption of fishing activities. Also, most economic models estimating the costs marine protected areas impose on fisheries do not account for the present costs of fishery management (or absence of management).
Overall, the study demonstrates that the fishing industry and fishing communities have much to gain from MPAs. But outdated misconceptions perpetuated in the scientific literature create barriers to their implementation.
A recent global analysis has prioritised where to locate MPAs to meet the pledge to fully protect at least 30% of ocean habitats by 2030. This goal is supported by the Convention on Biological Diversity, UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
In concluding, the study highlights that fishery scientists and fishermen need to promote the placement of MPAs as a strategy to support biodiversity, including ecosystem-based management of fisheries. They should work with conservation scientists to realise the true capacity of MPAs for economic success.
The study was carried out by Mark John Costello, a Professor of Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture at Nord University and is part of the MPA Europe project funded by Horizon Europe.
Details
- Publication date
- 10 April 2024