Adaptive management in context of MPAs: Challenges and opportunities for implementation

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Worldwide, MPA practitioners are increasing adopting evidence-based management over anecdote and intuition. One of the most commonly promoted approaches is to monitor the status and trends of performance indicators and modify management when the status of an indicator is inconsistent with a target. But the challenge with indicator-based approaches is interpretation in the absence of an experimental (true or quasi) design. A more structured approach with greater inferential strength because the implicit adoption of experimental elements into the sampling design is the adaptive management approach promoted by Walters (1986). Another difference between adaptive management and indicator-based approaches is that the latter leads to reactive management interventions rather than evaluating alternative management options even in the absence of management failure. Unfortunately, adaptive management can be challenging to adopt in a scientifically rigorous way for at least two reasons. First, the cost to undertake large-scale experimental manipulations can be substantial. Second, stakeholders, such as commercial fishers or traditional villagers, may be unwilling to modify their livelihoods for experimental purposes even if learnings may result in more sustainable and cost-effective use of resources. As argued convincingly by one proponent of evidence-based management, adaptive management may still be applied efficiently to routine management activities. Routine management activities inside MPAs can include enforcement, raising environmental awareness amongst visitors, guiding visitors, installing vessel moorings and developing snorkel trails or nature trails through sensitive coastal vegetation. Applying adaptive management to these activities could lead to more scientifically sound and efficient management outcomes.