The introduction of the new 30% conservation target under the Convention on Biological Diversity, along with emerging governance mechanisms for biodiversity protection in areas beyond national jurisdiction, has intensified the need to evaluate how marine protected areas (MPAs) are governed. While many assessment frameworks exist, each emphasizes different aspects of governance. This diversity underscores the importance of harmonizing these frameworks to ensure consistent and comparable evaluations. Using a systematic literature review combined with structural topic modeling, our study aims to identify common criterion topics shared across existing assessment frameworks for MPA governance. We uncovered 15 recurring topics, with “stakeholder participation” being the most prevalent, highlighting an equity dimension of governance. Based on the correlations among the 15 topics, we organized them into five overarching categories: (1) management resources; (2) management measures or day-to-day management activities; (3) social-ecological system (SES) approaches; (4) equity practices; and (5) cross-cutting measures such as cooperation and coordination. Management resources form the foundation that enables effective management activities. Through these routine activities, SES approaches are integrated and equity practices are strengthened, ultimately contributing to social, ecological, and equity-oriented conservation outcomes. Cross-cutting measures, relevant across all categories, further reinforce the quality and coherence of governance. Together, these five categories capture the core elements of effective MPA governance. The 15 topics provide a set of standardized criteria that can be used to assess and compare MPAs under different governance structures and social-ecological conditions. Establishing such standardized criteria is essential for providing coherent evaluation schemes for MPA governance. • Adequate human and financial resources are fundamental to MPA management. • Solid MPA management upholds effective MPA governance. • Integrating social-ecological system approaches into MPA governance is essential. • Equity is a core component of the social-ecological system. • Standardized criteria for assessing MPA governance help advance conservation efforts.

Artificial intelligence and automated monitoring for Marine Protected Area Management: A case of Chaojing marine protected area in Taiwan

Abstract Characterizing tidal circulation at a high spatiotemporal resolution is essential for understanding submesoscale transport and mixing in marine protected areas (MPAs). This study presents the first application of high‐frequency Coastal Acoustic Tomography (CAT) to synoptically resolve transient eddy‐like structures at 2–3 km scales in an open‐island coastal environment. A six‐station CAT array deployed off Nanji Island, China, reconstructed depth‐averaged currents every 3 min at ∼1.5 km resolution over a ∼26‐hr observation period. CAT velocities closely matched independent Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) measurements ( R > 0.95; RMSE < 0.09 m s −1 ), confirming the accuracy of the tomographic inversion. The flow was dominated by the M2 constituent, with northwestward flood and southeastward ebb currents superimposed on a persistent northeastward residual flow. During flood–ebb transitions, short‐lived eddies formed and persisted for ∼40 min. Deformation and kinetic energy flux convergence diagnostics suggest that tidal phase‐dependent strain intensification favored eddy formation, producing localized retention zones that favor particle retention and reduce lateral dispersion. Horizontal eddy diffusivities estimated from strain‐based and Lagrangian methods range from 2.56 to 10.54 m 2 s −1 and peak during flood tides. Using an assumed representative horizontal nitrate gradient (∂ C /∂ x = 1.0 × 10 −6 mmol m −4 ), these estimates imply lateral nutrient flux magnitudes of 0.24–0.92 mmol m −2 d −1 , suggesting strong tidal phase modulation of biogeochemical exchange. These findings highlight the roles of tidal phase‐dependent flow variability and transient eddy activity in regulating transport and mixing in island‐shelf systems and show that high‐frequency CAT can resolve physical processes relevant to adaptive MPA management.

Abstract. Warningsih T, Ramadona T, Zulkarnain, Nuraini, Khairunissa R, Deviasari, Muthmainnah A, Aswandi A. 2026. A multi-dimensional sustainability assessment of marine protected area management in Jemur Island on the Malacca Strait, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 27 (1): d270140. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d270140. Jemur Island in the Aruah Islands archipelago in the Malacca Strait, Riau Province, Indonesia, is a marine protected area (MPAs) with significant ecological value as a nesting habitat for green turtles and various economically valuable fish species. However, pressure from human activities and institutional limitations pose challenges to its sustainable management. This study aims to assess the sustainability of marine protected area management on Jemur Island using the Rapfish (Rapid Appraisal for Fisheries) method through a Multi-dimensional Scaling (MDS) approach across four dimensions: ecological, economic, social, and institutional. Data were obtained from in-depth interviews with stakeholders and field observations in mid-2024. The ecological dimension scored 61.44, indicating moderate sustainability, driven primarily by coral reef conditions and turtle nesting habitat quality, with fish abundance identified as the key leverage attribute. The economic dimension scored 64.08, also moderately sustainable, supported by fisheries-based livelihoods and emerging ecotourism, while resource dependency emerged as the critical leverage variable. In contrast, the social dimension scored 41.94, reflecting weak sustainability, with community awareness and participation identified as its main sensitivities. The institutional dimensions were categorized as less sustainable, scored 42.63, and similarly weak, largely influenced by coordination effectiveness and the adequacy of local management capacity. Pareto and leverage analysis further highlight that improvements in fish abundance, livelihood diversification, community engagement, and institutional strengthening offer the greatest potential to enhance overall sustainability. These findings emphasize the need for targeted, evidence-based management and interventions that prioritize ecological monitoring, community involvement, and institutional capacity building. The study provides a structured baseline for evaluating MPA performance in small-island settings and supports future efforts to design more adaptive and participatory conservation strategies.

The effective and inclusive management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and MPA networks requires the use of context-appropriate sociogovernance tools. These tools enhance interactions among MPA managers and stakeholders (e.g., community, industry, and non-governmental organisations) by intervening in, or giving shape to, various sociogovernance processes. However, a comprehensive characterisation of sociogovernance processes that are relevant to MPA management has not been developed to date. In this paper, we draw on literature from the fields of environmental governance, environmental psychology, and the marine social sciences to propose a goal-based typology of sociogovernance processes in MPA management, which supports the selection of appropriate tools to achieve agreed conservation goals in collaboration with stakeholders. The typology identifies three main pillars that capture key sociogovernance dimensions of MPA management: Knowledge & Understanding, Engagement & Participation, and Policies & Interventions. These pillars are linked by top-down and bottom-up-oriented processes. The typology contributes to the literature by offering an iterative understanding of the nature of stakeholder interactions in conservation management, particularly in the context of MPA governance. It can be used to interpret the processes that underpin both simple and complex tools and may help users reframe MPA management challenges by offering a new, relational perspective. The typology is suitable to use in both MPAs and MPA networks. The general principles of the typology may also be applicable in contexts beyond marine conservation with a strong emphasis on stakeholder interactions, such as landscape planning, resource extraction, and renewable energy projects. • Sociogovernance processes support effective management of Marine Protected Areas. • Enhanced understanding of these processes underpins selection of appropriate tools. • We propose a typology that links top-down and bottom-up sociogovernance processes. • The typology helps reframe management challenges through a relational perspective. • The typology can also be used in other environmental governance settings.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are essential tools for conserving marine biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. In Pakistan, however, enforcing MPA laws faces challenges deeply rooted in community dynamics and socio-economic constraints. Coastal communities, whose generational reliance on traditional fishing practices and marine resource extraction forms the backbone of their socio-economic structure, often view externally imposed conservation measures as direct threats to their livelihoods. This paper critically examines community-based challenges, including resistance to top-down enforcement, socio-economic difficulties, inadequate local participation, and conflicts that arise from the intersection of customary rights and modern regulatory frameworks. Drawing upon local research and case studies, the study proposes a community-centered framework that emphasizes participatory governance, the development of alternative livelihood programs, targeted educational initiatives, and compensation mechanisms. By integrating community rights and indigenous knowledge into MPA management, Pakistan can enhance compliance, improve conservation outcomes, and promote sustainable marine biodiversity conservation.

Marine protected area (MPA) networks are important for supporting biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and facilitating species recovery. For the effectiveness of conservation and restoration, functional connectivity plays a vital role. The dispersal, movement, and successful establishment of organisms between suitable habitats and MPAs ensure long‐term sustainability of the populations. Despite its importance, functional connectivity is rarely integrated into restoration planning, which limits the effectiveness of species reintroductions, habitat connectivity, and adaptation to environmental changes. In this study, we applied an integrative approach combining molecular detections (environmental DNA [eDNA] and meroplankton metabarcoding) with biophysical modeling to explore the functional connectivity between two Natura 2000 MPAs in the North Sea: Borkum Reef Ground (BRG) and Sylt Outer Reef (SOR). We focused on the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis), a reef‐building species that once provided vast reef habitats but is now functionally extinct in the German Bight and is therefore the subject of recent restoration measures at BRG. Our results showed partial but informative correspondence between molecular detections of oyster genetic traces and the modeled larval pathways during the June–July 2022 sampling period. We further explored larval dispersal across entire spawning seasons in 2022 and 2023. Connectivity between BRG and SOR was highly dependent on larval drift depth. Surface‐drifting larvae showed strong interannual variability, with 3% reaching SOR in 2022 when northwesterly winds dominated, increasing to 22% in 2023 under westerly and southwesterly winds. Larvae drifting at depth, however, exhibited near‐zero connectivity, leading to high self‐recruitment rates, with over 25% settling near the original restoration sites. Our results demonstrate that wind‐driven currents are a key driver of interannual variability in larval retention and dispersal. Additionally, they highlight the role of biological traits, such as vertical positioning and pelagic larval duration, in shaping connectivity between MPAs and oyster restoration sites. These findings emphasize the need to integrate connectivity assessments into MPA management and the restoration planning of reef‐building benthic species. The interdisciplinary approach presented here provides a quantitative framework for assessing connectivity under species‐ and site‐specific conditions, offering a transferable tool to evaluate the restoration potential of other species and enhance the functional network between MPAs.

Marine Protected Areas (MPA) were established in the Philippines to conserve coastal and marine ecosystems. In the Municipality of Sagñay, Philippines, the Atulayan Bay Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve (Atulayan MPA) was established three decades ago for such purpose. However, the expected socio-ecological impacts remained elusive based on biophysical and socioeconomic indicators. Community-Based Coastal Resource Management (CBCRM) was one approach used by the municipality to engage resource users and communities in MPA management. This study assessed the preferences of resource users toward the ecosystem services of the Atulayan MPA and the underlying value orientation that influenced these preferences. Specifically, it described the ecosystem services, examined the values of resource users, and analyzed the stated preferences of resource users toward the ecosystem services based on their value orientation from a gender-related perspective. Survey was conducted in the village of Atulayan with 50 respondents and in Nato with 250. Key informant interview was conducted with the fisheries technologist of the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO). Findings revealed that both resource users and residents in the two villages espoused the values of conservation and self-transcendence, while most of them preferred the ecosystem services of fisheries, habitat, coastal protection, and research and education. This study recommends that the MAO strengthen engagement with resource users and communities in MPA management by using approaches that are aligned with their value orientation and stated preferences. This would increase the likelihood that MPA-related interventions may be supported and actively engaged in by the resource users.

Marine protected area managers often have dual, and in some cases conflicting, goals of protecting resources and providing quality visitor experiences. Millions of people visit Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) annually to SCUBA dive and snorkel, but threats to coral reef health continue to affect natural resources and potentially also tourism. This study used an online survey and applied importance-performance analysis to evaluate snorkeler and diver perceptions of eight attributes related to their recreational experience in FKNMS. Three attributes had relatively high importance but low satisfaction levels, suggesting these should be prioritized for management action. Those attributes included “seeing a healthy reef,” “experiencing a clean reef,” and “diving on an area free of discarded fishing traps, line, or tackle.” The low performance of these attributes aligns with ecological trends (e.g., declines in coral cover) and natural resource management goals. These findings suggest that strategies to enhance reef health and condition, such as ecosystem restoration and marine debris removal, are also likely to enhance the quality of the recreational experience for SCUBA divers and snorkelers.

Bridging the conservation implementation gap in marine protected areas from management assessment to improvement actions

Marine protected areas (MPAs) often lack adequate data on the status of marine assemblages to support evidence‐based management. Stereo baited remote underwater video (BRUV) systems offer a powerful, low‐cost tool for collecting ecological data, yet they remain underutilized in the North East Atlantic, especially compared to more invasive methods such as fisheries surveys. Here, we demonstrate how a spatially comprehensive stereo‐BRUV survey can generate benchmark data to support MPA management at an ecosystem scale, using an ecologically distinct oceanic archipelago as a case study. The archipelago's habitats were found to support high abundances of regionally targeted commercial species, including benthic catsharks (Scyliorhinidae) and European spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas), with ~12,000 individuals recorded representing 64 species and 44 families. Deeper, topographically complex reefs were found to support higher levels of richness and biomass, with sediment‐specific increases in depth also driving demersal abundance. Stereo technology was additionally able to provide body size data for 43 species, with remoteness and shelter from exposure found to be common drivers of increased body size for indicator taxa. Survey results represent a contemporary benchmark for measuring changes in local MPA management, fisheries practices, and climate change impacts. The results also illustrate how spatially robust sampling methods and stereo‐BRUV systems can facilitate more holistic, fisheries‐independent data collection in UK and European waters.

How do local communities perceive marine protected area governance, management, surrounding development, and outcomes? A systematic review.

ABSTRACT Bivalves are a key group in benthic assemblages. Besides, little is known about this fauna, especially in marine protected areas (MPAs) from neotropical regions, for example, in Brazil. Here, we provide the results of the taxonomic composition and ecology of bivalve assemblages in Xixová‐Japuí State Park (XJSP), an MPA from the southeastern Brazilian coast, severely impacted by human activities in its surrounding areas. Sediment sampling was performed at four sites within the MPA boundaries and near two submarine outfalls close to the MPA. The samples were sieved, and the retained organisms were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Community ecology metrics were then applied at each sampling site. A total of 228 whole specimens and two empty shells were collected, representing 20 bivalve species, of which two may represent new species to science or juveniles of previously known species. The most abundant families were Tellinidae (63 specimens) and Mactridae (57 specimens). These two families, together with unidentified species (51 specimens), account for more than 78% of the individuals. No differences were found for most community descriptors; however, multivariate analysis revealed shifts in assemblage composition between the MPA and sites affected by submarine outfalls, with higher overall abundances in the latter. The results of this study are important for the MPA management plan, as they provide an accurate, taxonomically precise inventory that supports conservation efforts. Additionally, a more thorough ecological risk assessment of the contaminated sediments surrounding MPAs is anticipated once non‐targeted species are properly inventoried.

Blue whale and their subspecies is an endangered whale species that needs to be conserved by protecting their important habitat and migration corridor. Research about designing and modelling blue whale habitat for marine protected area has been done many times. However, incorporation of connectivity in marine protected areas design and management has been limited due to the complexity of methods used to model connectivity, therefore the implementation among practitioners is inconsistent. An alternative method to model connectivity of pygmy blue whale habitat is discussed through a combination of maximum entropy model and circuit theory. The habitat suitability models were made using satellite-tagged pygmy blue whale data (2012-2016) and oceanographic variables, such as sea surface temperature, chlorophyll, salinity, bathymetry, and seafloor geomorphology for four season that is March-April-May (MAM), June-July-August (JJA), September-October-November (SON), and December-January-February (DJF). The habitat suitability model shows different importance of environmental variables in their preference of habitat in each season, with distance from slope as the most influential parameter during the migration season (54.4% for MAM, 37.8% for SON), mean climatological chlorophyll during winter (31%), and mean climatological sea surface temperature during summer (54.7%). Habitat suitability result were then used to model connectivity, assuming that the whales migrate during MAM and SON. The migration model from Omniscape showed some pinch point, such as Sumba-Sape strait, Alor strait, Rote strait, Ombai strait. These pinch points can be seen as corridors with high potential of pygmy blue whale migration or high connectivity, therefore this area could become priority for conservation.

This quantitative study examined the socio-economic impact of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Cortes, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. The research aimed to assess how MPAs influence income, education, occupation, and marine resource availability. Using a descriptive-correlational design, structured surveys were conducted among 516 respondents, including fishermen, MPA managers, government officials, and community members, selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Results indicated moderate positive impacts of the MPA on income generation, educational awareness, employment diversification, and marine resource conservation. Significant relationships were found between demographic characteristics such as age, gender, educational attainment, income, occupation, and the perceived socio-economic benefits of the MPA. The study concludes that MPAs can enhance both ecological and socio-economic outcomes when supported by inclusive community programs and alternative livelihood initiatives.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been considered a tool for supporting the conservation of marine ecosystems and the sustainable management of anthropogenic activities. Mapping the interactions between wildlife and human pressure in the MPAs is strategic to manage conservation issues, particularly regarding artisanal fishery. Here, we investigate the influence of fisheries-related factors on the spatial distribution of Tursiops truncatus, in the waters of the MPA of the Asinara Island (North-Western Mediterranean Sea, Italy). To estimate the spatial overlap between bottlenose dolphins and small-scale fishery, 5 years of marine mammal survey effort and fishing monitoring activity were combined. Dolphin Encounter Rate was modeled as a function of the fishing effort (number of nets and traps) and the yield (CPUE) of five target commercial species. Results show a positive correlation between the bottlenose dolphins’ occurrence and fishing pressure (effort and catches), suggesting a spatial overlap in areas with high prey biomass, but not a strong influence of fishing activity on species distribution. However, this co-occurrence can result in possible interactions. In the specific case of the mullet nets, the CPUE value was significantly lower when dolphins occurred, reflecting the opportunistic feeding behavior of bottlenose dolphins. This multi-disciplinary approach can contribute to the implementation of the MPA management objectives for improving the sustainable coexistence of dolphins and artisanal fishery.

Abstract Understanding the reproductive behavior of key marine species is essential for effective management of marine protected areas (MPAs). This study investigates the reproductive activity of the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus), a vulnerable species in the Mediterranean Sea, through passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). Over a 3-year period, we recorded and analyzed vocalizations associated with courtship and territorial behaviors in a grouper aggregation hotspot within the Tabarca Island MPA. Our results reveal distinct temporal patterns in vocalization rates, peaking during the summer reproductive season, and show that environmental factors such as turbidity, seabed temperature, photoperiod, and wind significantly influence reproductive sound emissions. This study demonstrates that PAM is a valuable tool for monitoring reproductive behavior and offers practical insights for improving MPA management, ensuring the protection of critical habitats and enhancing the reproductive success of E. marginatus.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are key ocean conservation tools that can safeguard the diversity and function of marine ecosystems in the face of an increasing footprint and intensity of human activities. To be effective, MPA design, implementation, and management must consider not only individual, but also cumulative effects of historical, current and foreseeable future activities both within and outside MPA boundaries. Cumulative effects are seldom incorporated into MPA management as it can be challenging for MPA practitioners to select appropriate methods of assessment and integration. This paper examines two aspects of cumulative effects related to MPAs: a review of how cumulative effects are currently considered in MPA management worldwide, and a review of the primary and grey literature addressing cumulative effects knowledge and application in MPA contexts. The review of 646 global MPA management plans revealed that 36% did not contain any cumulative effects-related search terms and therefore likely lacked any provisions for, or even mentions of, cumulative effects. The review of cumulative effects knowledge found that few projects included all cumulative effects steps: scope and structure, assessment, and decision-making. Although significant advances have occurred in risk-based and spatial cumulative effects assessment methods over time, decision-making is rarely included in any cumulative effects projects. To bridge the gap between theory and practice, we propose a framework that embeds cumulative effects within the MPA designation and adaptive management process which will enable comprehensive scoping, meaningful assessments, and clear and transparent decision-making with respect to cumulative effects.

Globally, coastal and marine protected areas have seen significant increases in visitation. Visitors are able to access marine protected areas from multiple ingress points, making monitoring difficult. Yet managers need to establish techniques to monitor visitor use and identify change over time to ensure sustainable management for their protected areas. Lalang-gaddam Marine Park in the Kimberley region, Western Australia, has experienced increased visitation as the Kimberley’s reputation as a premier nature-based tourism destination with vibrant Aboriginal culture grows. To better understand and manage the growth in visitors, park management identified the need for a marine Visitor Monitoring Plan. To facilitate the development of the Plan, a desktop literature review was conducted to identify the suite of methods available that might assist monitoring visitors in marine protected areas with consideration to their applicability in the Australian marine context. The methods were then workshopped to design and implement the Visitor Monitoring Plan for Lalang-gaddam Marine Park as rapid growth in tourism has resulted in concern by government managing agencies, joint management Traditional Owners, commercial tourism operators, and the community. The aim of this article is twofold: to assist marine protected area managers in identifying pertinent methods and to codesign and assess the first Visitor Monitoring Plan in a joint management context in the Kimberley.

The global increase in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is driven by international goals, like the Aichi Targets (2010) and the Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework (2023), which aim for 30% of land and sea to be protected by 2030. Despite these ambitious targets, experts agree that numerical goals alone are insufficient to address biodiversity loss and ensure ecosystem functionality. This has sparked significant research on the effective management of MPAs, highlighting the importance of biological, socio-economic, and managerial resilience. Various tools have been developed to support these aspects. However, even in areas with management plans, enforcement, and monitoring, stakeholder involvement in assessment processes is vital to equitable and sustainable management. Using Gökova MPA as a case study, this research evaluated its management over a three-year period by applying an assessment tool previously used by co-managing actors. Findings indicate that assessment results can vary depending on who conducts them, and structural challenges, such as coordination issues among governing bodies and overlapping authorities, further complicate management. These insights have been used to formulate recommendations for policymakers and conservation practitioners, emphasizing that reaching the “30 by 30” target requires not only increased area coverage but also improved management practices that incorporate stakeholder perspectives to achieve sustainable management of natural resources.