Search Results (137)

Protecting threatened elasmobranch species despite limited data on their distribution and abundance is a critical challenge, particularly in the context of increasing human impacts on marine ecosystems. In the northeastern Atlantic, species such as the leafscale gulper shark, Portuguese dogfish, spurdog, and spotted ray are facing pressures from overfishing, bycatch, habitat degradation, and climate change. The OSPAR Commission has listed these species as threatened and/or declining and aims to protect them by reliably identifying suitable habitats and integrating these areas into Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). In this study, we present a spatial modelling framework using regression-based approaches to identify suitable habitats for these four species. Results show that suitable habitats of the spotted ray (25.8%) and spurdog (18.8%) are relatively well represented within existing MPAs, while those of the deep-water sharks are underrepresented (6.0% for leafscale gulper shark, and 6.8% for Portuguese dogfish). Our findings highlight the need for additional MPAs in deep-sea continental slope areas, particularly west and northwest of Scotland and Ireland. Such expansions would support OSPAR’s goal to protect 30% of its maritime area by 2030 and could benefit broader deep-sea biodiversity, including other vulnerable demersal species and benthic communities. Full article

The marine habitats of the world’s oceans are being driven beyond their resilience. The ongoing biodiversity crisis is happening fast, within the lifespan of researchers trying to produce the information necessary for the conservation of habitats and marine ecosystems. Here, we report on the destruction of sciaphilic sessile communities and coralligenous concretions produced by the anchoring of a high-tonnage vessel inside a Marine Protected Area in Cyprus. The damage from the anchors and the chains consisted of the dislodgement of large boulders that were dragged or rolled over the seafloor, increasing the breakage and further dislodgement of more boulders; many were left upside-down. The biological communities that thrived in the dark environments below the boulders were directly exposed to high irradiance levels and went through a slow mortality and decaying process, most probably due to a combination of several deterioration agents, such as exposure to direct sunlight, predation, mucilage aggregates, and cyanobacterial blooms. The enforcement of regulatory measures for anchoring and transit in the MPA is necessary to prevent similar destruction. Given the extent of the irreversible damage to these sciaphilic communities, our study is, unfortunately, another environmental post-mortem contribution. Full article

Marine biodiversity is of critical importance to global ecosystems. The Indo-Pacific Convergence Zone (IPCZ), a global marine biodiversity hotspot, faces escalating threats from human activities and climate change. This underscores the pressing need to develop effective conservation strategies for marine biodiversity in the IPCZ. This study integrates spatial analysis of ecological sensitivity (coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass) and anthropogenic pressures (shipping/fishing intensity) to identify biodiversity hotspots and conservation gaps. Using datasets from UNEP-WCMC, OBIS, and Global Fishing Watch, we applied GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation to 5408 grid cells (0.5° resolution) across the IPCZ. Results revealed that 14.7% of the study area constitutes biodiversity hotspots, primarily in coastal Philippines, Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands, and northern Australia. However, only 6% of the IPCZ is currently protected, with merely 13.88% of hotspots overlapping existing marine protected areas (MPAs). Anthropogenic pressure hotspots (e.g., Malacca Strait) showed limited spatial overlap with biodiversity hotspots, suggesting species displacement from high-disturbance zones. Priority conservation areas were delineated by balancing ecological significance and economic activity conflicts. We propose targeted strategies, including buffer zones, seasonal no-take areas, and green shipping technologies, to reconcile conservation with sustainable development. This framework provides actionable insights for enhancing MPA networks in biogeographic transition zones. Full article

Tourism significantly contributes to the economic growth of countries, especially in insular areas such as Small Islands Developing States (SIDSs) or the outmost regions of Europe. If managed properly, ecotourism offers a sustainable alternative by promoting nature conservation while benefiting local communities. The aim of this study was to develop a methodology to assess the existing conditions in marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Macaronesian archipelagos for the development of ecotourism activities. To achieve this, the methodology of the Mediterranean Experience of Ecotourism (MEET) was adapted to the unique environmental, social, and economic context of the region. A set of indicators was developed and refined through expert evaluation and the results revealed a strong level of satisfaction with the indicators created. This approach contributes to the sustainable management of MPAs by providing a practical tool to evaluate their potential for ecotourism development. The refined indicators can assist policymakers, MPA managers, and stakeholders in designing sustainable ecotourism products that align with conservation goals, ensuring long-term ecological and economic benefits for the Macaronesian region. Full article

Environmental monitoring is essential to assess and, if possible, anticipate the consequences of various marine economic developments. This study describes progress in environmental monitoring by developing and applying a eutrophication index (EI) for marine protected areas (MPAs). The EI combines available data, such as biological oxygen demands, dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a, with the weighting factors calculated from principal component analysis to assess environmental quality. Its effectiveness was tested using nearly three decades of environmental data (since 1996) from the Nha Trang MPA in Vietnam. The EI revealed clear trends in environmental quality. In the period 1996–2006, environmental conditions deteriorated, negatively impacting aquaculture. In the later period, 2007–2024, improved environmental protection policies, technological developments, expanding tourism, and heightened public awareness contributed to a reversal of this trend. During the earlier period, the EI indicated poor environmental quality (Level V), while in the later years, it improved significantly, approaching Level II. This study also identified the spatial eutrophication patterns and helped to determine the causes of specific eutrophication levels. These included port development, aquaculture activities, and domestic waste discharge. These findings highlight the close relationship between environmental quality and economic activities in the bay. Overall, the new EI and its sensitivity maps enhance environmental monitoring capabilities. They provide valuable tools for decision-makers, aiding in the strategic planning of marine economic development, ecosystem protection, and sustainable resource use. The approach supports long-term environmental stewardship and more informed, adaptive management of coastal and marine areas. Full article

Internationally, there is a modern understanding of cultural heritage, including maritime/underwater cultural heritage (MUCH)—not merely as a passive relic of the past, but as a transformative driver for sustainable growth and innovation. The paper discusses the position of maritime cultural heritage (MUCH) in relation to the smart specialization strategies (S3) and its evolving role as a driver of sustainable growth, particularly within the context of the blue economy and smart specialization strategies (S3, S4) in Europe. It then focuses on the Greek context, where UCH-driven activities, particularly soft multi-use (MU) activities that combine UCH, diving tourism, and nature conservation, are gaining momentum, especially within marine protected areas (MPAs). Despite the growing interest, there is a lack of data, regulations, and a clear strategy for such activities, although the “National (Hellenic) Spatial Strategy for the Marine Space” (issued in 2025) suggests promoting low-impact diving tourism incorporating UCH. The research paper examines the benefits and barriers to implementing UCH-driven MUs, recommending the use of maritime spatial planning (MSP) to address relevant challenges. It suggests that integrating UCH with nature conservation and diving tourism in soft MUs could support a sustainable blue economy, through balancing cultural, ecological, social, and economic goals and fostering innovation through S3/S4 on a regional level. Full article

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been implemented globally to protect marine habitats and enhance biodiversity, often displacing commercial and recreational fishing activities previously occurring in the area. While the ecological impacts of MPAs have been the subject of considerable attention, the economic impacts on the displaced sectors have generally received less consideration. In this study, we examine the impacts of increasing the proportion of fully protected area within a coastal MPA—the Moreton Bay Marine Park in Queensland, Australia—on the economic performance of the fisheries operating in the area. This MPA is relatively unique as it is located adjacent to a major metropolitan area and, hence, heavily used for a range of activities. Analysis of commercial catch data suggests that the commercial fishery has been less impacted than expected by the loss of available area, although this result varies by species. Comparing fishing activity in the Bay with that in adjacent regions (assumed to reflect the counterfactual), we find evidence of strong improvements in fishery performance of the prawn trawl fleet, no significant change in fish net and line fisheries, and a small but significant decline in the performance of crab fishers. The impact on recreational fishing is uncertain as other external factors obfuscate the impacts of the rezoning. Full article

Coral reefs are well known for their diversity and value, providing habitats for a third of marine species within just 0.2% of the ocean. However, these natural habitats face significant threats and degradation, leading to unresolved issues related to coral loss inventory, coral protection, and the implementation of long-term conservation policies. In this study, we examined two decades of changes in coral spatial distribution within the Nha Trang Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA) using remote sensing and machine learning (ML) approaches. We identified various factors contributing to coral reef loss and analyzed the effectiveness of management policies over the past 20 years. By employing the Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM) and Deep Forest (DF) models on Landsat (2002, κ = 0.83, F₁ = 0.85) and Planet (2016, κ = 0.89, F₁ = 0.82; 2024, κ = 0.92, F₁ = 0.86) images, we achieved high confidence in our inventory of coral changes. Our findings revealed that 191.38 hectares of coral disappeared from Nha Trang Bay MPA between 2002 and 2024. The 8-year period from 2016 to 2024 saw a loss of 66.32 hectares, which is in linear approximation to the 125.06 hectares lost during the 14-year period from 2002 to 2016. It is concluded that the key factors contributing to coral loss include land-use dynamics, global warming, and the impact of starfish. To address these challenges, we propose next a modern community-based management paradigm to enhance the conservation of existing coral reefs and protect potential habitats within Nha Trang Bay MPA. Full article

Nautilus pompilius, a ‘living fossil’ of the oceans, is crucial to the study of biological evolution and paleontology. However, the species’ habitat has been severely impacted by global climate change. Based on this, species distribution models and conservation gap analyses were conducted under current and future climate scenarios. The results revealed that the current habitats for N. pompilius were primarily located in the coastal waters of Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 scenario, suitable habitat is projected to decline by 4.8% in the 2050s and 5.3% in 2100s. This loss is expected to intensify under higher emission scenarios, particularly RCP 8.5, where the reduction could reach 15.4% in the 2100s. Conservation gap analysis indicates that while nearly 30% of suitable habitats fall within marine protected areas (MPAs), many vulnerable regions remain unprotected. Future MPA establishment should strategically address these conservation gaps, particularly in coastal waters such as the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Arafura Sea, and the southern edge of the Timor Sea. This study provides critical insights into the distribution patterns and conservation needs of N. pompilius, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts to protect this endangered species. Full article

Environmental heterogeneity is especially important in determining the distribution and spatial management of marine mammals. Intra-annual changes in distribution exhibited by highly mobile species such as baleen whales, however, present a challenge to traditional area-based management measures which should be accounted for in the designations, but these data are typically lacking. In the present study, we investigated the seasonal variables influencing the spatio-temporal distribution of feeding/foraging minke whales in the Southern Trench MPA in northeast Scotland. A presence–absence model was selected to determine the associations of feeding/foraging whales with areas of high prey density and other environmental determinants. Whale presence was strongly correlated with high burrowed sandeel density (BSD) in May and June and offshore thermal fronts (derived from the standard deviation of sea-surface temperature (SST SD)) from June to September. Both were concluded to be valuable proxies for the distribution of available prey and provided a compelling explanation for observed spatio-temporal shifts and high intraannual variability of whales from our long-term data. The present findings illustrate the value of prey data inclusion in habitat models for baleen whales on their feeding grounds, and advocate for a more dynamic, ecosystem-based approach to management for these highly mobile protected whales. Full article

The global increase in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is driven by international goals, like the Aichi Targets (2010) and the Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework (2023), which aim for 30% of land and sea to be protected by 2030. Despite these ambitious targets, experts agree that numerical goals alone are insufficient to address biodiversity loss and ensure ecosystem functionality. This has sparked significant research on the effective management of MPAs, highlighting the importance of biological, socio-economic, and managerial resilience. Various tools have been developed to support these aspects. However, even in areas with management plans, enforcement, and monitoring, stakeholder involvement in assessment processes is vital to equitable and sustainable management. Using Gökova MPA as a case study, this research evaluated its management over a three-year period by applying an assessment tool previously used by co-managing actors. Findings indicate that assessment results can vary depending on who conducts them, and structural challenges, such as coordination issues among governing bodies and overlapping authorities, further complicate management. These insights have been used to formulate recommendations for policymakers and conservation practitioners, emphasizing that reaching the “30 by 30” target requires not only increased area coverage but also improved management practices that incorporate stakeholder perspectives to achieve sustainable management of natural resources. Full article

As a key element of spatial governance, marine protected areas (MPAs) have been increasingly established in various countries, with lessons learned from terrestrial environmental protection. Nevertheless, the development of MPAs in China continues to trail behind that of their land-based counterparts. Here, following the leverage points perspective of sustainability interventions, this article presents a systematic analysis of the governance and evolution of China’s MPAs, identifying key areas for improvement. The analysis encompasses the number, effectiveness, legal framework, governance structure, value, and paradigm of MPAs, and highlights the associated governance challenges facing China. Drawing on relevant experiences from the United States, Australia, and the European Union, the article offers valuable insights for informing China’s future MPA strategies. The study concludes that while China has made significant progress in the development of MPAs, further efforts are needed, including paradigm shifts, refinement of the legal system, optimization of governance structures, and enhancement of MPA effectiveness. Full article

The Mediterranean Sea, a biodiversity hotspot, faces significant threats from non-indigenous species (NIS), which drive biodiversity changes. Over the past century, the introduction of NIS has accelerated due to maritime traffic, aquaculture, and interoceanic canals, fostering biological invasions. Marine protected areas (MPAs), established to preserve biodiversity, are increasingly impacted. This review quantified and characterized French Mediterranean MPAs, analyzing non-indigenous macroalgae distribution based on the existing literature and the authors’ observations. Results revealed widespread occurrence, with the highest NIS richness in strictly regulated MPAs; their proximity to large harbors highlights the paramount importance of the introduction pathways. In addition, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the distribution of NIS within MPAs, complicating efforts to monitor and study these species effectively. These findings highlight the challenges in monitoring and managing invasions and the urgent need for controlling primary and secondary invasion pathways, within and outside the MPAs, international collaboration to control them, and enhanced funding for NIS monitoring. Without adaptive management, even strictly protected MPAs are vulnerable to the escalating impacts of invasive species. Full article

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are an important tool for conserving biodiversity and ensuring the sustainable use of marine ecosystem services. This study examines the extent of MPAs in the Adriatic-Ionian region (EUSAIR). The analysis focuses on nationally designated marine protected areas and Natura 2000 sites (their marine parts), as well as areas of biodiversity importance that are not officially protected. With a marine area of 484,017 km², the EUSAIR region has 46 nationally designated marine protected areas and 348 Natura 2000 marine protected areas as of 2021, which together represent a protected area of 16,347 km² or 3.4% of the region’s total marine area. However, strictly protected areas of IUCN categories I and II account for only 0.07% of the region’s marine area, highlighting a significant gap in achieving global and EU biodiversity targets. In addition, around 30.75% of the marine area is classified as important for biodiversity based on various conservation instruments, but is not legally protected. These findings underline the urgent need for enhanced protection, improved management and stricter conservation measures to achieve the targets of the Kunmingand Montreal Global Biodiversity Frameworks and the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, which aims to have 30% of marine areas protected and 10% under strict protection by 2030. Achieving the EU biodiversity targets by 2030 will require a significant expansion of MPAs in the EUSAIR region and intensified efforts to designate new MPAs, integrate existing areas of high biodiversity and ensure effective management consistent with biodiversity conservation objectives. Full article