Conservation needs places where nature is left wild; but only a quarter of coastal countries have no-take Marine Reserves. ‘Marine Protected Areas’ (MPAs) have been used to indicate conservation progress but we found that 94% allow fishing and thus cannot protect all aspects of biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation should focus on Marine Reserves, not MPAs. Highlights […]
This depressing series of events raises lots of questions Bob Earll Fines Do the fines for fishing in MPAs need to be higher since those at present are clearly no deterrent? Perhaps the fines should build cumulatively on particular vessels or owners. One, two, three strikes and you’re out? In any event they cause disproportionate […]
Decent design – Before and After Control impact (BACI) – to establish the effects of MPAs ‘Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are increasingly being implemented as tools to conserve and manage fisheries and target species. Because there are opportunity costs to conservation, there is a need for science based assessment of MPAs. Here, we present one […]
Nick Underdown: Scottish Environment Link: ‘ We’ve just published this: This blog has attempted to chart the long, and sometimes torturous, process of setting up Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Scotland. Many of you may be wondering what is happening with Scotland’s MPAs? Are they going to be paper parks? Or are they finally going […]