Navigating future uncertainty in marine protected area governance: Lessons from the Scottish MPA network

Abstract

As international pressure for marine protection has increased, Scotland has increased spatial protection through the development of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) network. Few MPA networks to date have included specific considerations of climate change in the design, monitoring or management of the network. The Scottish MPA network followed a feature-led approach to identify a series of MPAs across the Scottish marine area and incorporated the diverse views of many different stakeholders. This feature led approach has led to wide ranging opinions and understandings regarding the success of the MPA network. Translating ideas of success into a policy approach whilst also considering how climate change may affect these ideas of success is a complex challenge. This paper presents the results of a Delphi process that aimed to facilitate clear communication between academics, policy makers and stakeholders in order to identify specific climate change considerations applicable to the Scottish MPA network. This study engaged a group of academic and non-academic stakeholders to discuss potential options that could be translated into an operational process for management of the MPA network. The results of Delphi process discussion are presented with the output of a management matrix tool, which could aid in future decisions for MPA management under scenarios of climate change.

A marine natural capital asset and risk register—Towards securing the benefits from marine systems and linked ecosystem services

“…what to recover to). As discussed by Hopkins et al (2018), it is not possible to determine unimpacted reference conditions indisputably, either through modelling/historic data or through marine areas where human effects are currently minimal. Additionally, if a LRC of 5 for seafloor integrity is defined as ‘no human impact’ for 85% ‐95% of a habitat extent outside an MPA within time‐scale for habitat recovery, then it is possible that targets or thresholds become unobtainable, when compared with the commercial trade‐off required.…”

“…what to recover to). As discussed by Hopkins et al (2018), it is not possible to determine unimpacted reference conditions indisputably, either through modelling/historic data or through marine areas where human effects are currently minimal.…”

Does biodiversity‐focused protection of the seabed deliver carbon benefits? A U.K. case study

“…The United Kingdom has one of the most extensive networks of MPAs in the world to protect marine life, consisting of 374 MPAs covering 38% of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) (JNCC, 2021). The U.K. MPA network has grown rapidly in the last 15 years based on international and domestic legislation (Hopkins et al., 2018; JNCC, 2021; Lieberknecht & Jones, 2016). At the time of writing, 55% of the MPA network is protected from mobile bottom fishing; however, the vast majority of this area is below 800 m that derives from fishing legislation implemented prior to MPA designation (EU, 2016; MCS, 2022).…”

It’s Just Conservation: To What Extent Are Marine Protected Areas in the Irish Sea Equitably Governed and Managed?

“…22). If socioeconomic issues, including inequity, are not addressed, it is likely that any successful biological conservation efforts will be short-lived (Christie et al, 2003;Halpern et al, 2013;Batista and Cabral, 2016) and if stakeholders are not involved in the decision-making and resulting management of a PA, conservation efforts could be met with conflict and resistance (Jentoft et al, 2007;Pita et al, 2013;Soma and Haggett, 2015;Hopkins et al, 2018;Bennett et al, 2020).…”