Abstract
Designated large-scale marine protected areas (LSMPAs, 100,000 or more square kilometers) constitute over two-thirds of the approximately 6.6% of the ocean and approximately 14.5% of the exclusive economic zones within marine protected areas. Although LSMPAs have received support among scientists and conservation bodies for wilderness protection, regional ecological connectivity, and improving resilience to climate change, there are also concerns. We identified 10 common criticisms of LSMPAs along three themes: (1) placement, governance, and management; (2) political expediency; and (3) social–ecological value and cost. Through critical evaluation of scientific evidence, we discuss the value, achievements, challenges, and potential of LSMPAs in these arenas. We conclude that although some criticisms are valid and need addressing, none pertain exclusively to LSMPAs, and many involve challenges ubiquitous in management. We argue that LSMPAs are an important component of a diversified management portfolio that tempers potential losses, hedges against uncertainty, and enhances the probability of achieving sustainably managed oceans.
Highlights
Marine protected areas (MPAs), places in the ocean where human activities are restricted to varying degrees, are often established with multiple objectives in mind
We identified 10 criticisms of large-scale MPAs (LSMPAs) commonly aired in the scientific and popular literature along three themes: (1) placement, governance, and management; (2) political expediency; and (3) social–ecological value and cost
17 of the 35 LSMPAs we identified are in the remote waters of seven countries, marine conservation efforts began in their local domestic waters and are ongoing there
Summary
They encourage “joined-up thinking” in management of large marine areas, and they offer rapid progress toward global MPA coverage targets (figure 1b, 1d), greater efforts and resources to improve the effectiveness of MPAs around the world are still required (Gill et al 2017). We identified 10 criticisms of LSMPAs commonly aired in the scientific and popular literature along three themes: (1) placement, governance, and management; (2) political expediency; and (3) social–ecological value and cost (figure 3). We evaluate these criticisms (grouped by theme) to constructively contribute to ongoing discussions on strategies for effective global marine management. Theme 1: Placement, governance, and management Three commonly aired criticisms relating to this theme were identified (figure 3).
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