Low-quality management of Marine Protected Areas in the North-East Atlantic

Abstract

The effectiveness of a marine protected area (MPA) requires adequate management plans (MgPs), good management performance and effective governance. This study diagnosed management quality on 126 MPAs and 57 MgPs in four countries in the NE Atlantic Ocean (France, England, Spain and Portugal) by adapting the MPA Management Effectiveness Assessment Tool to assess management quality, and management effort, strengths and weaknesses. Despite the fact that these MPAs were, in 2013, on average 14-year old, fewer than 30% showed sufficient management capacity, 18% showed operational management, and only 3% showed effective management. Therefore, 70% could be considered unmanaged or “paper” reserves. Among their strengths, MPAs were in general well legislated in the four countries and had operational management bodies in France and England. However three key factors need to be improved in all countries: (i) periodic MgP updated; (ii) periodic MPA monitoring and assessment; and (iii) education and communication activities. Enforcement should be improved in England, France and Portugal; Portugal and Spain also need to improve the management body and England and Portugal the community participation.