Marine Protected Area Networks in the Coral Triangle: The Way Forward

Marine protected areas (MPAs) and networks of MPAs are valuable tools for protecting coral reef habitats and managing near-shore fisheries. A growing number of MPA networks are being established to maintain ecosystem functions and connectivity, as well as to enhance resilience by spreading risk in the case of climate change or localized disasters. In 2004 the United States Agency for International Development initiated a joint initiative of The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International and Wildlife Conservation Society to build upon and draw key lessons from MPA Networks under the “MPA Learning Partnership.” In the final stage of the project (2007 – 2008) a small team examined six MPA networks in the Coral Triangle region. The study objectives were to: (1) understand the challenges related to the design, adaptive management, monitoring and financing of ecological networks of functioning marine protected areas; (2) address specific learning questions affecting marine conservation efforts, learn from each other’s experience, and collaborate with partners at the scale of MPA networks; and (3) provide guidance and resources to help direct recommendations for future applied research and improvements in MPA network planning, design and management to improve the effectiveness of achieving a network’s ecological and social goals.  The project objectives were met through field observations at the six study sites, implementation of structured interviews with MPA managers and primary stakeholders, and two learning workshops. Findings reveal that substantial gaps between the theory and practice of creating functional MPA networks exist, across the MPAs and within the aspects of science and ecology, social management, institutional arrangements/governance and sustainable financing. To support the efforts of scaling up individual MPAs to networks, this project identifies a framework of best practices and guidelines that provide a basis for each MPA network that can be tested and amended to the local situation and the needs of local stakeholders.