Marine Protected Areas in Sri Lanka: A Review

Abstract

Despite the popularity of marine protected areas (MPAs) as a management tool, increasing evidence shows that many fail to achieve conservation objectives. Although several MPAs exist in Sri Lanka, most are not managed, and resource extraction and habitat degradation continue unabated. At present, the declaration and management of MPAs is carried out without adequate consideration of the ecology, socioeconomic realities, or long-term management sustainability. Managers have focused more toward the creation of new legislation and protected areas rather than ensuring the implementation of existing regulations and management of existing protected areas. Poor coordination and a lack of serious political will have also hindered successful resource management. As in other developing countries, MPA managers have to contend with coastal communities that are directly dependant on marine resources for their subsistence. This often makes it unfeasible to exclude resource users, and MPAs have failed to attract necessary government support because many politicians are partial toward the immediate needs of local communities for both economic and political reasons. A more integrated approach, and decisions based on the analysis of all relevant criteria combined with a concerted and genuine effort toward implementing strategies and achieving predetermined targets, is needed for effective management of MPAs and the sustainable use of marine resources in Sri Lanka.

From measuring outcomes to providing inputs: Governance, management, and local development for more effective marine protected areas

“…Participation offers an opportunity for information exchange, increases accountability and collaboration among stakeholders, leads to the development of mutually acceptable solutions and regulations, reduces feelings of alienation, and increases transparency [11,88,121,149,201]. Rosendo et al [201] suggest that participation in management will help to develop a sense of ownership and support, which ultimately may improve compliance.…”

“…Since the creation of strict no-take MPAs is often met with opposition by affected fishers, Perera and de Vos [149] suggest that high levels of resource dependency in the developing world may make the creation of exclusive reserves untenable. However, no-take zones may be a necessary part of providing the full extent of ecological and socio-economic benefits to the individuals whose livelihoods depends on the quality of the natural base [5].…”

“…A contextually tailored and seamless program of monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) that incorporates a variety of measures is indispensible to any program of enforcement [183,184]. Sanctions can include the confiscation of illegal gear [105] but these sorts of actions need to be legally supported [149]. Enforcement of regulations needs to be done in a consistent and fair manner to be perceived as legitimate [91,100,185].…”

“…Through incorporation of these factors, MPAs can result in the strengthening and reinvigoration of traditional mechanisms and cultures [132]. However, these considerations should also be combined with broader contextual considerations stemming from the proactive use of social, economic, political, and natural scientific methods, tools, and approaches to design MPAs [11,[147][148][149]. For example, Aswani and Lauer [150] show how MPA networks can be designed using a combination of anthropological and natural scientific methods to merge traditional knowledge and use patterns in GIS.…”

Community-level analysis of anthropogenic impacts on rocky shore communities in Sri Lanka

“…The definition is broad and includes many coastal ecosystems, such as estuaries, lagoons, salt marshes, mangrove, and beaches as well as true marine ecosystems and oceanic waters. MPAs vary from large fishery reserves and multiple-use Park to small, strict conservation zones and sanctuaries depending on habitat, resource available for management and conservation objects (Perera & De Vos, 2007).…”