Revise MPA objectives and involve MSP authorities in a consultative capacity#
Description#
General description
Successful MPAs management is often limited by generic objectives that fail to address specific ecological needs, reducing their impact on biodiversity conservation (Grorud-Colvert et al., 2021; OECD, 2017). To address this, the proposed solution recommends refining MPA objectives to be specific, measurable, and tailored to the unique ecological characteristics of each area. This approach ensures that conservation efforts are targeted and impactful, addressing the distinct challenges and opportunities within individual MPAs.
Additionally, the solution suggests involving MSP authorities in a consultative capacity during MPA designation and management processes. By integrating MSP expertise, MPA planning and implementation can be better aligned with broader marine spatial strategies, fostering a more cohesive and collaborative approach to biodiversity conservation (Ehler & Douvere, 2009). These measures aim to enhance the MPA ecological effectiveness while ensuring their alignment with regional and national marine planning frameworks.
Main purpose: To maximize MPA effectiveness and ensure biodiversity is mainstreamed within MSP processes, it is recommended to:
Adjust MPA objectives to be specific and measurable, tailored to each area’s unique ecological needs.
Involve MSP authorities in the MPA designation and management processes through consultative mechanisms.
Barriers addressed:
Generic MPA objectives
Lack of specificity leads to unclear management priorities.
Difficulties in measuring progress and success.
Inadequate addressing of site-specific ecological issues.
Limited involvement of MSP authorities
Disconnection between MPA management and broader spatial planning.
Missed opportunities for holistic and integrated management.
Potential conflicts between conservation and other maritime activities.
Policy relevance:
This solution directly supports the EUBS 2030, which sets targets to protect at least 30% of European seas, with 10% under strict protection, as part of the broader “30 by 30” goal. By proposing specific and measurable objectives for MPAs, this solution ensures that conservation measures are tailored to the unique ecological needs of each area, thereby enhancing their effectiveness. Additionally, involving MSP authorities in MPA designation and management fosters policy coherence and aligns conservation efforts with spatial planning processes, a key principle of the EUBS2030. This integration strengthens the implementation of other EU directives, such as the MSFD, which aims to achieve GES for EU marine waters, and the Habitats and Birds Directives, by ensuring that biodiversity priorities are reflected in marine spatial plans. Furthermore, this solution supports the ecosystem-based approach promoted by the MSP Directive, contributing to the sustainable use of marine resources while safeguarding biodiversity. By addressing these barriers, this solution operationalizes EU policies, advancing the restoration and protection of marine ecosystems in line with EUBS2030 targets.
Implementation
Adjusting MPA objectives to be specific and measurable: Achieving effective MPA management requires specific and measurable objectives. This begins with detailed ecological assessments, where unique habitats, species, and ecological processes are identified and critical areas requiring protection are mapped. Objectives should follow the SMART framework because it is considered best practice in conservation planning, widely endorsed by international organizations, and helps ensure effective, results-oriented management. The SMART framework ensures that objectives are specific (clearly defining goals), measurable (establishing criteria to track progress), achievable (realistic within available resources), relevant (aligned with conservation priorities), and time-bound (with defined timelines). To ensure ongoing effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation frameworks should be implemented, regularly assessing progress and adapting management strategies as needed based on findings.
Involving MSP authorities in consultative processes: MSP authorities play a crucial role in aligning conservation and development objectives. To enhance collaboration, formal consultation mechanisms should be established, such as including MSP authorities in MPA planning committees and/or fostering regular communication between MPA managers and maritime spatial planners. It is essential to integrate MPA objectives into maritime spatial plans, ensuring that conservation priorities are reflected, and activities are coordinated to minimize conflicts while enhancing synergies. Collaborative data sharing between MPA and MSP authorities should be encouraged to provide a shared basis for informed decision-making, leveraging ecological and spatial data to achieve common goals.
Impact and effort
Impact: High
This solution has the potential to significantly enhance the MPAs effectiveness by ensuring objectives are SMART, directly supporting the “30 by 30” target under EUBS2030. Improved coordination between MPA and MSP authorities strengthens policy coherence, aligning conservation goals with maritime activities. The integration of biodiversity-focused MPAs into MSP frameworks will reduce conflicts and enhance synergies, contributing to the achievement of GES under the MSFD.
Required effort: High
Achieving this solution requires substantial effort, including detailed ecological assessments to develop site-specific objectives, capacity-building for MSP authorities, and establishing formal consultative mechanisms. Significant investment in data collection, monitoring, and decision-support tools is needed to facilitate adaptive management. Legislative amendments or updates may also be required to operationalize the integration of biodiversity objectives into MSP and MPA frameworks.
Revising MPA objectives and involving MSP authorities: good practices
The Belgian Royal Decree for MSP (2020-2026) explicitly includes biodiversity objectives, linking MSP to environmental policies such as the Natura 2000 Directives, MSFD, and the EUBS2030. It emphasizes “naturalness” as a core principle, ensuring planned activities align with GES and biodiversity goals. MSP integrates spatial measures for conservation, helping to bridge biodiversity legislation and marine users, thereby fostering social acceptance of conservation directives.
France’s National Strategy for the Sea and Coast explicitly integrates biodiversity objectives into MSP, including targets to designate 30% of marine areas as MPAs and 10% under strict protection by 2030. This strategy aligns national biodiversity goals with Regional Seas Conventions such as OSPAR and the Barcelona Convention. The inter-ministerial committee for marine biodiversity and the regional biodiversity committees foster consultative processes across governance levels.
Portugal MSP legislation includes biodiversity conservation as an explicit objective, with a Situation Plan identifying areas for nature conservation, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. The framework balances conservation and economic priorities.
Estonia’s MSP plan integrates biodiversity goals from the EUBS2030 and HELCOM, aiming for 30% protection of marine areas. While implementation is ongoing, the plan highlights sustainable use and environmental conservation as primary objectives.
Collaboration between the HELCOM-VASAB Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group and the HELCOM Biodiversity Working Group represents an exemplary practice for integrating biodiversity considerations into MSP processes. These two groups maintain continuous communication and hold joint meetings to share knowledge, align strategies, and address cross-cutting issues between spatial planning and biodiversity conservation. This collaborative approach ensures that MSP processes in the Baltic Sea region incorporate up-to-date ecological data and specific biodiversity objectives, contributing to a harmonized and ecosystem-based regional planning framework.
A recently established MSP working group in the Barcelona Convention supports the implementation of an ecosystem-based approach by enhancing harmonization across sectors and the integration of GES requirements in MSP in the Mediterranean Sea.