Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10‐fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate
Abstract South Africa sought to implement an ecologically representative Marine Protected Area (MPA) network to achieve biodiversity and fisheries management goals with least impact on offshore stakeholders. The result was the declaration of a spatially efficient network representing 131 of 150 mari...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Conservation Letters |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 |
| _version_ | 1797733434129383424 |
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| author | Kerry Jennifer Sink Amanda Talita Lombard Colin Graham Attwood Tamsyn‐Claire Livingstone Hedley Grantham Stephen Dale Holness |
| author_facet | Kerry Jennifer Sink Amanda Talita Lombard Colin Graham Attwood Tamsyn‐Claire Livingstone Hedley Grantham Stephen Dale Holness |
| author_sort | Kerry Jennifer Sink |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract South Africa sought to implement an ecologically representative Marine Protected Area (MPA) network to achieve biodiversity and fisheries management goals with least impact on offshore stakeholders. The result was the declaration of a spatially efficient network representing 131 of 150 marine ecosystem types (87%) in 5.4% of ocean area. We outline the 15‐year process from planning to implementation of 20 new MPAs, including contentious areas recognized as important for conservation decades ago. Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) supported by 532 data layers and an inclusive stakeholder process identified priority areas, reduced conflict and guided complex trade‐offs. Multiple scenarios and iterative improvements increased transparency, supported ocean zonation and achieved balanced compromises while maintaining conservation objectives. Key challenges, enabling factors and lessons are shared. We demonstrate that flexible, evidence‐based SCP together with adaptive social processes that are alert to opportunities can support implementation of representative MPA networks aligned to ocean economy goals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T12:28:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ca9027d9a5614986aa89b1ccb681da07 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1755-263X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T12:28:06Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Conservation Letters |
| spelling | doaj.art-ca9027d9a5614986aa89b1ccb681da072023-08-29T19:23:44ZengWileyConservation Letters1755-263X2023-07-01164n/an/a10.1111/conl.12954Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10‐fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estateKerry Jennifer Sink0Amanda Talita Lombard1Colin Graham Attwood2Tamsyn‐Claire Livingstone3Hedley Grantham4Stephen Dale Holness5Marine ProgrammeSouth African National Biodiversity Institute NewlandsCape TownSouth AfricaInstitute for Coastal and Marine Research Nelson Mandela University Gqeberha South AfricaBiological Sciences Department University of Cape Town Rondebosch Cape Town South AfricaBiodiversity and Geographical Information DepartmentEzemvelo Kwa‐Zulu WildlifePietermaritzburgSouth AfricaCentre for Ecosystem Science University of NSW Australia Kensington New South Wales AustraliaInstitute for Coastal and Marine Research Nelson Mandela University Gqeberha South AfricaAbstract South Africa sought to implement an ecologically representative Marine Protected Area (MPA) network to achieve biodiversity and fisheries management goals with least impact on offshore stakeholders. The result was the declaration of a spatially efficient network representing 131 of 150 marine ecosystem types (87%) in 5.4% of ocean area. We outline the 15‐year process from planning to implementation of 20 new MPAs, including contentious areas recognized as important for conservation decades ago. Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) supported by 532 data layers and an inclusive stakeholder process identified priority areas, reduced conflict and guided complex trade‐offs. Multiple scenarios and iterative improvements increased transparency, supported ocean zonation and achieved balanced compromises while maintaining conservation objectives. Key challenges, enabling factors and lessons are shared. We demonstrate that flexible, evidence‐based SCP together with adaptive social processes that are alert to opportunities can support implementation of representative MPA networks aligned to ocean economy goals.https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954conservation lessonsconservation planningintegrated ocean managementmarine ecosystem representationMarine Protected Area Networkmarine reserve |
| spellingShingle | Kerry Jennifer Sink Amanda Talita Lombard Colin Graham Attwood Tamsyn‐Claire Livingstone Hedley Grantham Stephen Dale Holness Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10‐fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate Conservation Letters conservation lessons conservation planning integrated ocean management marine ecosystem representation Marine Protected Area Network marine reserve |
| title | Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10‐fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate |
| title_full | Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10‐fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate |
| title_fullStr | Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10‐fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10‐fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate |
| title_short | Integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10‐fold increase in South Africa's Marine Protected Area estate |
| title_sort | integrated systematic planning and adaptive stakeholder process support a 10 fold increase in south africa s marine protected area estate |
| topic | conservation lessons conservation planning integrated ocean management marine ecosystem representation Marine Protected Area Network marine reserve |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12954 |
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