Sofia Wikström, scientist behind the new Policy Brief, explains the content, aim and need for change in designing protection for the marine environment - klick play to watch.  

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

To deliver sufficient protection for habitats and species, there is a need for proper designation and management.

  • Right design at the right place Effective marine protection must be tailor made for the natural habitat types and species it aims to protect and in relation to the activities constituting a threat in the area. It is important to set up a connected and ecologically representative network of MPAs.
  • Reinforce restrictions on commercial and recreational fishing where needed When appropriate, fishing restrictions in protected areas can favour both environmental protection and fisheries management. Healthy underwater habitats are a precondition for long-term sustainability of fisheries.
  • Set up structures for monitoring and evaluation Evaluating the effects of MPA management is the only way to establish which measures are successful and which need to be adapted. It demands better mapping and knowledge of the marine ecosystem as well as the distribution of species, habitats and areas of biological significance.
  • Establish reference areas free from human activities MPAs completely free from human activities are needed as reference areas for assessments of marine protection.

Read and download: 
Policy Brief: Raising quality of marine protection (466 Kb)

CONTACT

Sofia Wikström, marine ecologist at Baltic Eye, Baltic Sea Centre
+46 (8) 161791, sofia.wikstrom@su.se