Title
Explicitly incorporating socioeconomic criteria and data into marine protected area zoning
Author(s)
Mangubhai S, Wilson JR, Rumetna L, Maturbongs Y, Purwanto (2015)
Abstract
Addressing community needs or aspirations is critical for the success of marine protected areas (MPAs).
However MPA design based on the results of systematic conservation planning tools alone does not fully
represent important information on socioeconomic factors. This is because of the reliance of conservation
planning tools on spatial data which is better suited to ecological rather than socioeconomic factors
which are predominantly non-spatial. We present a case study from Raja Ampat in Indonesia, to
demonstrate how we developed MPA zoning plans for six multiple use MPAs that encompass more than
1 million ha of the world's most diverse coral reef ecosystems. These were developed by combining
analysis of ecological and spatial socioeconomic data using decision support tools (Marzone), and
incorporation of non-spatial socioeconomic data from experts, stakeholders, and local communities. By
explicitly including socioeconomic criteria and data into MPA zoning, the final zoning plans recognize
community use and governance of resources, maximize equity and access to traditional fishing grounds,
and better support long-term food security and livelihoods of local communities. These plans also met
recommended guidelines for resilient MPA design and were supported by the community and MPA
managers (i.e. Raja Ampat Regency and Indonesian National Government). This case study can act as a
guide to other MPA managers and conservation practitioners to better incorporate socioeconomic considerations
into MPA zoning plans and systematic marine conservation planning.
Keywords
Tenure Zones Marine spatial planning Conservation planning Indonesia Coral triangle
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