Title
The MPA Guide: A framework to achieve global goals for the ocean
Author(s)
Grorud-Colvert Kirsten;Sullivan-Stack Jenna;Roberts Callum;Constant Vanessa;Horta e Costa Barbara;Pike Elizabeth P.;Kingston Naomi;Laffoley Dan;Sala Enric;Claudet Joachim;Friedlander Alan M.;Gill David A.;Lester Sarah E.;Day Jon C.;Gonçalves Emanuel J.;Ahmadia Gabby N.;Rand Matt;Villagomez Angelo;Ban Natalie C.;Gurney Georgina G.;Spalding Ana K.;Bennett Nathan J.;Briggs Johnny;Morgan Lance E.;Moffitt Russell;Deguignet Marine;Pikitch Ellen K.;Darling Emily S.;Jessen Sabine;Hameed Sarah O.;Di Carlo Giuseppe;Guidetti Paolo;Harris Jean M.;Torre Jorge;Kizilkaya Zafer;Agardy Tundi;Cury Philippe;Shah Nirmal J.;Sack Karen;Cao Ling;Fernandez Miriam;Lubchenco Jane
Published
2021
Publisher
Science
Abstract
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are conservation tools intended to protect biodiversity, promote healthy and resilient marine ecosystems, and provide societal benefits. Despite codification of MPAs in international agreements, MPA effectiveness is currently undermined by confusion about the many MPA types and consequent wildly differing outcomes. We present a clarifying science-driven framework—The MPA Guide—to aid design and evaluation. The guide categorizes MPAs by stage of establishment and level of protection, specifies the resulting direct and indirect outcomes for biodiversity and human well-being, and describes the key conditions necessary for positive outcomes. Use of this MPA Guide by scientists, managers, policy-makers, and communities can improve effective design, implementation, assessment, and tracking of existing and future MPAs to achieve conservation goals by using scientifically grounded practices.
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PUB27075