The management effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) is gaining increased attention globally. Although the number of MPAs is rising, few achieve the level of protection necessary to positively impact ecosystems and biodiversity. Recent global commitments, such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Target 3 (30×30), specifically call for 30% of land and sea areas to be ‘effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative, well-connected, and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.’ Achieving these ambitious goals requires both clear understanding of how to improve management effectiveness and recognition of the challenges associated with expanding protected areas.
Dr. Johnny Briggs, Director of Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, provided an overview of the 30×30 target’s intent and the challenges in achieving 30% of global waters under effective conservation. Dr. Arthur Tuda, Executive Director of the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association, shared insights into efforts in the Western Indian Ocean to meet these goals. Dr. Annick Cros, Resilience Science Lead at The Nature Conservancy, introduced the Reef Resilience Network’s upcoming management effectiveness online course. The discussion highlighted a key challenge: expanding MPAs has led to strained management capacity, funding limitations, and the critical need for capacity building to ensure effective conservation.
Resources
- Maps used in Johnny’s presentation were from On Track or Off Course? – Assessing Progress Toward the 30×30 Target for the Ocean.
- Protected Planet features a Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) database
- Marine Protection Atlas provides deeper dives into CBD figures
- Guidance on Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)
- Primary OECM Document: CBD COP-14 Decision
- The MPA Guide
- IUCN WCPA Technical Note 16: Approaches for Identifying Areas of Particular Importance for Marine Biodiversity
This webinar is brought to you by the Reef Resilience Network and the Blue Nature Alliance, in collaboration with the International Coral Reef Initiative as part of their #ForCoral webinar series. If you do not have access to YouTube, email us at resilience@tnc.org for a copy of the recording.
