Determining the Management Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas in the Asia-Pacific Region

Full Title:

Determining the Management Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas in the Asia-Pacific Region

Overview:

It is suggested that the majority of the many existing and legally declared marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Philippines and Indonesia are not being managed effectively and are generally not achieving the objectives of marine biodiversity conservation and fisheries enhancement among other objectives. In response to this situation, this project is proposed to better understand the issue of poor MPA management, quantify the issue through the development of a geographical information system (GIS) database with primary data on the status of MPAs, and to propose viable solutions about how to improve management through a monitoring and evaluation system.

Objectives:

This project will determine the geographical extent of MPAs in the Philippines and Indonesia and estimate the level of management effectiveness so that the relative level of marine conservation being achieved can be measured. MPA management effectiveness will be determined through the application of an existing MPA rating system being utilized in the Philippines and applied in both countries. It will populate a geographical database for all MPAs in the two countries with associated relevant information as available on each site; and provide input for publications and seminars that summarize the results of the project.

Funder:

National Geographic Society

Duration:

July, 2008 - July, 2009