Understanding Marine Protected Areas: Definition And Significance

what constitutes a marine protected area

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are areas of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation. The Convention on Biological Diversity defines MPAs as any area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by legislation or other effective means, such as custom. The United States Executive Order 13158 in May 2000 established MPAs as any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein.

Characteristics Values
Definition Any defined area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by legislation or other effective means, including custom, with the effect that its marine and/or coastal biodiversity enjoys a higher level of protection than its surroundings.
Long-term goal Conservation and ecological recovery
Exploitation of marine resources Marine protected areas are intended to make it more difficult to claim MPA status for regions where exploitation of marine resources occurs.
Extraction of marine resources If extraction of marine resources occurs, a region is not a marine protected area.

cycivic

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are areas of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation

The United States Executive Order 13158 in May 2000 established MPAs, defining them as any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein. This definition is intended to make it more difficult to claim MPA status for regions where exploitation of marine resources occurs.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines a protected area as a "clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature".

MPAs are an important tool for the conservation of marine environments and biodiversity. They provide a higher level of protection for marine areas and resources, ensuring their long-term conservation and ecological recovery.

cycivic

MPAs are defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity as any area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity as any area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features. This definition is intended to make it more difficult to claim MPA status for regions where exploitation of marine resources occurs.

The broader term 'marine and coastal protected area' (MCPA) is used to refer to any defined area within or adjacent to the marine environment that has been reserved by legislation or other effective means, such as custom, to protect its marine and/or coastal biodiversity. This means that MCPA areas enjoy a higher level of protection than their surroundings.

In the United States, Executive Order 13158 in May 2000 established MPAs as any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein.

The IUCN defines a protected area as a "clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature".

cycivic

MPAs are established through legislation or other effective means, such as custom, to protect marine and/or coastal biodiversity

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are established through legislation or other effective means, such as custom, to protect marine and/or coastal biodiversity. MPAs are areas of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation.

The Convention on Biological Diversity defines the broader term of marine and coastal protected area (MCPA) as:

> Any defined area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by legislation or other effective means, including custom, with the effect that its marine and/or coastal biodiversity enjoys a higher level of protection than its surroundings.

United States Executive Order 13158 in May 2000 established MPAs, defining them as:

> Any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines a protected area as:

> A clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature.

This definition is intended to make it more difficult to claim MPA status for regions where exploitation of marine resources occurs. If there is no defined long-term goal for conservation and ecological recovery, and extraction of marine resources occurs, a region is not a marine protected area.

cycivic

MPAs are managed by sovereign states, which have the right to establish them at over 200 nautical miles

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are areas of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation. MPAs are managed by sovereign states, which have the right to establish them at over 200 nautical miles. The Convention on Biological Diversity defines a marine and coastal protected area (MCPA) as any defined area within or adjacent to the marine environment, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by legislation or other effective means, including custom, with the effect that its marine and/or coastal biodiversity enjoys a higher level of protection than its surroundings.

In the United States, Executive Order 13158 in May 2000 established MPAs as any area of the marine environment that has been reserved by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources therein.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines a protected area as "a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated cultural values." This definition is intended to make it more difficult to claim MPA status for regions where exploitation of marine resources occurs. If there is no defined long-term goal for conservation and ecological recovery, and extraction of marine resources occurs, a region is not a marine protected area.

cycivic

MPAs are intended to make it more difficult to claim protected status for regions where exploitation of marine resources occurs without a defined long-term goal for conservation and ecological recovery

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity as any area within or adjacent to the marine environment, along with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, that has been reserved by legislation or other effective means to protect its marine and/or coastal biodiversity. MPAs are intended to make it more difficult to claim protected status for regions where exploitation of marine resources occurs without a defined long-term goal for conservation and ecological recovery.

MPAs are established to provide lasting protection for natural and cultural resources within the marine environment. This includes areas of intertidal or subtidal terrain, with their associated flora and fauna, as well as historical and cultural features. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines a protected area as a "clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature".

The definition of MPAs is intentionally specific to ensure that regions without a clear commitment to conservation and ecological recovery are not granted protected status. This means that areas where marine resources are being exploited without a long-term plan for the environment's health are not considered MPAs.

The creation of MPAs is a tool for promoting a healthy ocean and ensuring the long-term conservation of marine biodiversity. By setting aside areas of the ocean for protection, MPAs provide a way to manage and preserve the natural and cultural resources within them. This helps to safeguard the marine environment and its associated flora and fauna for future generations.

Frequently asked questions

A marine protected area (MPA) is a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature.

MPAs protect marine environment and biodiversity, including intertidal or subtidal terrain, overlying water, and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features.

MPAs can be established by federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local laws or regulations.

Marine and coastal protected areas (MCPAs) are a broader term that includes areas adjacent to the marine environment.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment