Monitoring and evaluation#
Description#
Most MPAs have management plans that set goals and objectives, guiding the evaluation of MPA management effectiveness (ME). Monitoring and assessment play a key role in informing short- and medium-term management decisions and contribute to broader national and international assessments, such as those for the European Union (EU) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Monitoring programs should provide consistent data over time, relying on MPA staff, consultants, NGOs, and researchers. While periodic monitoring exists, management agencies often favor qualitative assessments based on expert interpretation rather than quantitative analyses. However, there is growing interest in better utilizing monitoring data for condition assessments.
The process from monitoring to assessment and final knowledge dissemination is often poorly documented, making it difficult for MPA managers and policymakers to integrate scientific findings effectively. Many MPAs do not use monitoring-based data for management decisions, highlighting the need for stronger connections between science and policy. At regional and global levels, strategic linkages are required to ensure ocean observations inform policies. In the EU, implementing an ecosystem-based approach demands better integration of science, policy, and society, in line with CBD recommendations.
Pelletier D. 2020. Assessing the Effectiveness of Coastal Marine Protected Area Management: Four Learned Lessons for Science Uptake and Upscaling. Frontiers in Marine Science 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.545930