Marine Protected Areas and MPA Networks

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are coastal or offshore marine areas managed to protect the natural and/or cultural resources of a particular place. MPA networks, a more recent development, are systems of MPAs designed to increase protection to a geographic area. There can me numerous goals of MPAs though they are mainly related to conservation (e.g., biodiversity conservation, protection of a rare species), or sustainability (e.g., fisheries management, recreation). This module introduces MPAs including the costs and benefits, relations to biodiversity and fisheries management, design and implementation, with a look towards how MPAs can be more effective in the future. Through role-playing, the accompanying exercise allows students to experience the challenges of developing a plan for an MPA that satisfies different users while meeting common objectives.