Ecological and Socio-Economic Effects of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in Temperate Waters

Abstract

This study provides a synthesis of current scientific evidence on the ecological and socioeconomic effects of highly protected marine areas (HPMAs), primarily in temperate waters. The aim was to establish if HPMAs can provide benefits beyond those afforded by other types of marine protected area (MPA). We identify critical interactions within and between ecological and socioeconomic effects to help marine planners and managers make informed decisions about the trade-offs of alternate management actions or measures for MPAs. Well-designed and enforced MPAs with high levels of protection (HPMAs) often provide conservation benefits within their boundaries beyond those afforded by other types of MPA. Much remains to be learned about the socioeconomic effects of HPMAs. Empirical evidence to date suggests that potential benefits cannot all be maximised simultaneously because potentially conflicting trade-offs exist not only between but also within ecological and socioeconomic effects. Marine planners and managers must be able to evaluate the impact and distribution of trade-offs for differing management regimes; to make informed decisions about levels of protection required in MPAs to ensure sustainable use of marine resources and meet conservation objectives. One of the main challenges remains providing evidence of the societal benefits from restricting use in these areas.

The MPA Guide: A framework to achieve global goals for the ocean

“…Common positive outcomes were community involvement, increased catch per unit of fishing effort (CPUE), and higher income, whereas negative outcomes commonly manifested through increasing costs of activities (i.e., fishing) and conflict (89). Both positive and negative impacts can occur at the same time (e.g., 90,91). Four MPAs in Indonesia had positive effects on material wealth and scientific environmental knowledge but negative effects on perceived well-being, fish catch, and marine resource control (92).…”

Reviewing the Ecosystem Services, Societal Goods, and Benefits of Marine Protected Areas

“…Ecosystem outputs from which goods and benefits are derived Mace et al, 2012;Saunders et al, 2015 Ecosystem service "Final ecosystem services": directly deliver welfare gains and/or losses to people through goods UK NEA in Mace et al (2012) Ecosystem service "Final ecosystem services": an ecosystem service that directly underpins or gives rise to a good Mace et al, 2012 Ecosystem service "Intermediate ecosystem services": regulating and supporting services that contribute to the provision of final services. Villamagna et al, 2013 Ecosystem service Goods and services that are of value to people, provided wholly or in part by ecosystems Olander et al, 2018 Ecosystem service Direct and indirect contribution of ecosystems and natural capital to human well-being Fisher et al, 2009;Schratzberger et al, 2019 Ecosystem service Results, products or outputs from the interaction of the ecological attributes and processes on populations, ecosystems or the environment, that directly or indirectly favor the quality of life, health or human uses, and activities…”

“…The many ways that human well-being is enhanced through the processes and functions of ecosystems via ecosystem services Mace et al, 2012 Societal benefit Positive effect on human well-being; used interchangeably with value. Value denotes a quantitative, often monetary, measure, and depends on the preferences of individuals who receive the benefit Schratzberger et al, 2019 Societal benefit "Direct use benefit": Benefit produced from direct interactions with the ecosystem and products of ecosystem processes; includes consumptive (e.g., food) and non-consumptive use (e.g., recreation). Indirect use benefit: Benefit produced from regulatory functions of ecosystems (e.g., nutrient cycling) Schratzberger et al, 2019 Societal benefit The materialization of services on people well-being.…”

“…Value denotes a quantitative, often monetary, measure, and depends on the preferences of individuals who receive the benefit Schratzberger et al, 2019 Societal benefit "Direct use benefit": Benefit produced from direct interactions with the ecosystem and products of ecosystem processes; includes consumptive (e.g., food) and non-consumptive use (e.g., recreation). Indirect use benefit: Benefit produced from regulatory functions of ecosystems (e.g., nutrient cycling) Schratzberger et al, 2019 Societal benefit The materialization of services on people well-being. That is, any economic activity or other profitability (emotional, educational, scientific, etc.)…”

“…However, not all of these goods, services and societal benefits are well-known, and the information is dispersed in a multitude of works focused on particular case studies that refer mainly to the effects of protection on some specific aspect of the biology of a single species or assemblage. Furthermore, the bibliography that reviews them together, and put them in the context of the protection of a coastal area, is still scarce (Potts et al, 2014;Van den Belt and Cole, 2014;Saunders et al, 2015;Olander et al, 2018;Schratzberger et al, 2019;Armoškaite et al, 2020).…”