Scotland's Marine Protected Area network: Reviewing progress towards achieving commitments for marine conservation

Abstract

Significant progress has been made towards implementing Marine Protected Area (MPA) networks in UK waters, with Scotland successfully designating 30 new Scottish MPA sites in July 2014. This paper reviews the Scottish MPA process up to the point of implementation, summarising the process that led to the designation of the MPA network. In particular, this paper investigates the extent to which the process i) effectively engaged stakeholders; ii) used ecological guiding principles; and iii) considered climate change. In doing so, this paper highlights several key issues if the Scottish MPA network is to move beyond an administrative exercise and is able to make a meaningful contribution to marine biodiversity protection for Europe: i) fully adopt best practice ecological principles ii) ensure effective protection and iii) explicitly consider climate change in the management, monitoring and future iterations of the network.

Progress in marine geoconservation in Scotland’s seas: assessment of key interests and their contribution to Marine Protected Area network planning

“…As noted above, marine conservation in Scottish waters is underpinned by a range of international, European and UK measures and obligations (Hopkins et al, 2016). These have focused on species and habitats of European importance which are listed in the relevant annexes of the EC Birds and Habitats Directives.…”

“…As part of a more integrated approach, systematic survey and assessment of the role of geodiversity in supporting marine life and providing a diversity of habitats at a sitespecific scale would offer new insights into the functional links between marine geodiversity and biodiversity and provide a basis for informing marine planning and further integration of geodiversity within an ecosystem approach that recognises whole site integrity (Hopkins et al, 2016). This could usefully build on the MAREMAP initiative (Howe et al, 2015a), application of the Norwegian 'nature areas' mapping type of approach in the marine environment Thorsnes et al, 2009;Buhl-Mortensen et al, 2015b) or other forms of seabed biophysical characterisation (Harris and Baker, 2012).…”

“…In addition, as in the terrestrial environment (Anderson and Ferree, 2010;Beier et al, 2015;Theobald et al, 2015), an approach that recognises the potential value of 'conserving nature's stage' in MPA network design could help to enhance ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change, which is recognised as an important objective and challenge for marine conservation planning (Hopkins et al, 2016). Also in relation to climate change, the importance of protecting natural sinks for blue carbon in marine sediments (Scottish Government, 2015;Hopkins et al, 2016) offers further opportunities to integrate geodiversity and geoconservation.…”

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

“…CBD, OSPAR), Scotland has developed an MPA network intended to protect marine biodiversity and contribute to the vision of a clean, healthy and productive marine environment (Scottish Government, 2011a). The implementation of the Scottish MPA network has been a complex process requiring the consideration of stakeholder values and perceptions, scientific evidence and political factors (Hopkins et al, 2016b). There is a need to facilitate clear communication between academics, policy makers and stakeholders to progress MPA policy delivery and ensure decisions are jointly formed and therefore acceptable to multiple parties (Pollnac et al, 2010) The Scottish MPA network (including other types of protected area designation) covers approximately 20% of the Scottish sea area.…”

Marine Spatial Planning in a Transboundary Context: Linking Baja California with California's Network of Marine Protected Areas

“…Traditionally, MPAs have been implemented as a result of governmental or local community decisions (Gleason et al, 2010). However, there are recent examples of planning processes to design MPAs networks that are ecologically connected and managed as a system (Airamé et al, 2003;Fernandes et al, 2005;Lowry et al, 2009;Saarman et al, 2013;Hopkins et al, 2016).…”