Abstract
Marine protected areas (MPA) are area-based management tools that serve as the cornerstone for marine conservation and sustainable use. There has been a recent shift from establishing MPAs on an individual basis to establishing networks of connected MPAs to better reflect the transient dynamics of marine species and to ensure they are acting synergistically to deliver their intended outcomes in a coherent manner. This study employs innovative geospatial analysis to assess the ecological coherence of the MPA network comprising 846 sites within the Wider Caribbean Region, a global hotspot of marine biodiversity. Evaluating four main criteria widely used in policy—representativity, replicability, connectivity, and adequacy—through 14 tests, our findings indicate that the current MPA network is unlikely to have achieved ecological coherence across all criteria. To improve ecological coherence, regional management could focus on expanding coverage of ecologically important areas, encompassing a broader range of biogeographic zones, and protecting the full spectrum of marine habitats in the region. Efforts should also be directed towards establishing larger MPAs and increasing the number of MPAs with no-take zones, while ensuring the protection of indigenous and local communities' rights to sustainable marine resource use.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.