Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas

Today, only 1% of the ocean's surface is protected through Marine Protected Areas (MPA). A MPA defines a marine zone where a local interest needs to be protected and preserved long term. Specific rules adopted by authorities apply to all users of the area. Consequently, in an MPA, fisheries, tourism, transport, and urbanisation, for example, are all activities that can be affected. Designation as an MPA therefore constitutes an efficient tool for coastal and marine integrated management. An MPA can carry different names: nature reserve, integral reserve, marine park, sanctuary, Natura 2000 site, amongst others. Various factors can lead to the establishment of an MPA such as:

• Protection and recovery of fishing resources and of threatened, or rare, species and habitats, as well as of marine biodiversity;
• Sustainable management of damaged natural environments, of areas subject to multiple use, destructive activities, or to pressure from tourism; and
• An area used for scientific research.

The concept of MPAs was launched by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), recommending the establishment of a global network of MPAs by 2012. The objective is far from being achieved. The creation of MPAs has become a priority for many international conservation organisations such as IUCN, UNESCO, WWF and others. In October 2010, the target of the 10th CBD (Conference of the Parties) was that 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas should be conserved through a well-connected system of MPAs with effective and fair management.

The establishment of networks is essential to improve the efficiency of MPA management and enable the oceans to recover from human impact. These networks need to be coherent, representative and well managed. MPA managers face a multitude of challenges today, ranging from the lack of governmental support and subsidies, to the antagonism of local communities.

The Changing Oceans Expedition therefore strives to contribute in strengthening MPA networks by facilitating exchange of best practice on MPA management. By sailing from one MPA to another, meeting MPA managers and users, and by gaining experience in the field, the expedition provides an information platform for better MPA management.

Here is a list of some marines protected areas that were explored by the expedition:
Marine protected area of Penisola des Sinis
Marine protected area of Port-Cros
Marine protected area of Scandola
Marine protected area of Bonifacio
Marine protected area of Mljet
Marine protected area in the east-atlantic
Marine protected area of the Wadden Sea
Marine Park of Aqaba
National Park of Ras Mohammed