Ocean protection quality is lagging behind quantity: Applying a scientific framework to assess real marine protected area progress against the 30 by 30 target

Conservation Letters, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 17(3)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2024

Abstract The international community set a global conservation target to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 (“30 × 30”) reverse biodiversity loss, including through marine protected areas (MPAs). However, varied MPAs result in significantly different outcomes, making MPA coverage alone an inadequate metric. We used Guide framework assess world's largest 100 area, representing nearly 90% reported and 7.3% analyzed distribution quality across political ecological regions. A quarter assessed is not implemented, one‐third incompatible with nature. Two factors contribute this outcome: (1) many lack regulations or management, (2) some allow high‐impact activities. Fully highly account for area but are unevenly distributed ecoregions part because nations have designated large, their overseas remote territories. Indicators quality, only coverage, needed ensure network that covers effectively safeguards representative ecosystems from destructive human

Язык: Английский

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Over 80% of the European Union’s marine protected area only marginally regulates human activities

One Earth, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 7(9), С. 1614 - 1629

Опубликована: Авг. 13, 2024

To address the ongoing deterioration of marine ecosystems and its consequences on livelihood, European Union (EU) now aims to achieve 30% coverage Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), with 10% under strict protection per region.Here, we provide first assessment levels EU MPAs, describing level legal restrictions activities using MPA Guide framework.While MPAs covered 11.4% national waters in 2022, 0.2% were fully or highly protected.As much as 86% showed low protection, would not be considered compatible conservation objectives they allow industrial activities.Most minimal across Member States, sea regions, types MPAs.The network likely provides limited ecological outcomes.Reaching EU's target will require radical changes regulations MPAs.

Язык: Английский

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Mismatches in scale between highly mobile marine megafauna and marine protected areas

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 9

Опубликована: Июль 20, 2022

Marine protected areas (MPAs), particularly large MPAs, are increasing in number and size around the globe part to facilitate conservation of marine megafauna under assumption that large-scale MPAs better align with vagile life histories; however, this alignment is not well established. Using a global tracking dataset from 36 species across five taxa, chosen reflect span home range highly mobile megafauna, we show most too small encompass complete ranges species. Based on alone, 40% existing could smallest ranged species, while only < 1% those largest Further, where overlapped real geographic space, encompassed 5% core used by all Despite being much larger than demonstrate how benefits still likely accrue targeting seasonal aggregations critical history stages through other management techniques.

Язык: Английский

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Marine protected areas stage of establishment and level of protection are good predictors of their conservation outcomes

Cell Reports Sustainability, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 100345 - 100345

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Re‐imagining the precautionary approach to make collaborative fisheries management inclusive of Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Fish and Fisheries, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 24(6), С. 940 - 958

Опубликована: Июль 26, 2023

Abstract Fisheries science uses quantitative methods to inform management decisions that reflect cultural preferences which, in turn, indirectly influence the states of ecosystems. To date, it has largely supported Eurocentric for commodification marine organisms under tenets maximum sustainable yield, whereby abundances are intentionally maintained far below their historical baselines despite broader socio‐ecological trade‐offs. In contrast, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) adhere principle “take only what you need and leave lots ecosystem,” implementing lower fishery removals support resilience. Despite power imbalance favouring decision‐making, fisheries scientists increasingly recognize pairing IKS Western science, or Two‐Eyed Seeing, would lead more holistic goals. For recognition transcend tokenism, meaningful collaborations co‐governance structures underlying knowledge co‐production must carry through legislated policy changes. Using recent developments spatial protections involving federal, provincial governments Pacific Canada, we illustrate how precautionary approach, including reference points harvest control rules broadly applied international fisheries, could be revised make collaborative compatible with improve biodiversity protections. Our recommendations may create socio‐economic trade‐offs at different timescales commercial fishers. Pre‐empting challenge, discuss IKS‐compatible economic approaches addressing shorter term costs arising from reduced exploitation rates. Although our case study derives insights provided here applicable elsewhere world.

Язык: Английский

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Assessments of expected MPA outcomes can inform and improve biodiversity conservation: Case studies using The MPA Guide

Marine Policy, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 170, С. 106364 - 106364

Опубликована: Авг. 31, 2024

Global, regional, and national targets have been set to protect conserve at least 30 % of the ocean by 2030, in recognition important benefits healthy ecosystems, including for human well-being. Many these recognize importance quality, not just quantity, areas that are included %, such as marine protected (MPAs). For example, Convention on Biological Diversity's Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3 calls be effectively conserved managed, ecologically representative, well-connected, equitably governed. Protecting a percent area is sole goal – protection must effective equitable. To better understand quality biodiversity conservation afforded, addition quantity protected, we looked MPAs across 13 studies used The MPA Guide related tools track Stage Establishment Level Protection measures expected outcomes diverse locations, scales, cultural, political, contexts. We show standardized assessments can help (1) evaluate improve existing MPAs; (2) plan new (3) compare various scales; (4) progress towards coverage targets; (5) enable clear communication collaboration, (6) inform actions needed achieve policy their underlying environmental social goals, among others. share common opportunities, challenges, recommendations tracking using measure global targets.

Язык: Английский

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Disavowing the Doctrine of Discovery: Indigenous Healing, Decolonization, and Implications for Environmental Justice in the Pacific Remote Islands Area

Environmental Justice, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Июнь 26, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Multi-faceted examination of a deepwater seamount reveals ecological patterns among coral and sponge communities in the equatorial Pacific

Scientific Reports, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 17, 2025

Spatial changes in benthic community structure have been observed across natural gradients deep-sea ecosystems, but these patterns remain under-sampled on seamounts. Here, we identify the spatial composition and distribution of coral sponge taxa four sides a single central Pacific equatorial "model" seamount within US EEZ surrounding Howland Baker unit Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. This rises from 5,000 + m to mesophotic depths 196 m, is influenced by Equatorial Undercurrent. Four remotely operated vehicle (ROV) transects were completed, one each flank seamount. Shallower than ~ 250 seafloor was composed scoured carbonate pavement with sediment accumulation only found rocky depressions. Waters below 500 hosted communities predominantly octocorals, however, several showed preference (higher abundance or more flanks others) even though strong vertical (depth) zonation corals sponges all flanks. Euplectellidae, Plexauridae ​​Chrysogorgia spp. distinct for flank. To help visualize influence current flow, oxygen, depth, substrate type seamounts, created an Alexander Von Humboldt-style infographic illustrate biodiversity patterns. Given importance seamounts ocean productivity, this study early attempt at holistic visualization biology that can advance new hypotheses about ecology.

Язык: Английский

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Physical Connectivity Between Mesophotic Areas in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 130(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

Abstract Understanding connectivity patterns is crucial for marine planning, particularly in the design of protected areas or restoration plans. In this study, we assess potential physical between mesophotic northern Gulf Mexico and investigate dynamical features influencing such using a modeling approach. We use Coastal Regional Ocean COmmunity model conjunction with particle transport Lagrangian tool to evaluate general pathways material among areas, focusing on Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Pinnacles Trend over 2 years. Additionally, conduct sensitivity analysis identify minimum necessary configuration capturing impact kilometer‐scale circulation metrics. Our results reveal year‐round low high seasonal heterogeneity direction dispersal distances due variability currents fields. study dispersion appears be primarily driven by extension shelf submesoscale circulations (SCs). Sensitivity suggests that high‐resolution velocity fields horizontal grid spacing capable resolving SCs temporal resolution 6 hr less are required accurately capture small‐scale connectivity, especially summer, when weak fronts essential establish patterns.

Язык: Английский

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Use of conservation areas for fisheries management and ecosystem conservation in the U.S. exclusive economic zone

Marine Policy, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 175, С. 106633 - 106633

Опубликована: Фев. 19, 2025

Язык: Английский

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