From outcomes to inputs: What is required to achieve the ecological and socioeconomic potential of marine protected areas?
Date
2012
Authors
Bennett, Nathan
Dearden, Philip
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Marine Protected Areas Research Group/University of Victoria
Abstract
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are one tool that has been shown to be effective for achieving
marine conservation objectives. MPAs might also result in beneficial social and economic outcomes for
local communities through, for example, increasing fish abundance and the resultant spillover into
surrounding fisheries or the creation of alternative livelihoods. Yet the percentage of MPAs that might
be considered “successful” on ecological and/or socio-economic accounts is debatable. MPA scholars
and conservation organizations alike have suggested that much remains to be understood about what the
requirements are for successful implementation and operation of MPAs. It is on this problem that this
paper focuses through asking: “What inputs are required to achieve the potential ecological, social, and
economic outcomes of marine protected areas?” In this paper, we discuss the potential positive and
negative outcomes of MPAs and explore the inputs required to achieve balanced and beneficial
outcomes while giving consideration to the implications of local and macro contexts. Moreover, we
suggest that a tripartite approach to MPA implementation and operations that gives appropriate and
contextualized attention to governance, management, and development is more likely to lead to
successful MPA outcomes as there are inherent feedbacks between the three inputs.
Description
A working paper of Project IMPAACT and the Marine Protected Areas Research Group
Keywords
marine protected areas, development, management, governance, success
Citation
Bennett, N. & Dearden, P. (2012). From Outcomes to Inputs: What is Required to Achieve the Ecological and Socio-Economic Potential of Marine Protected Areas? (Working Paper). Victoria, Canada: Marine Protected Areas Research Group/University of Victoria. 38 p.