Scaling Up to Networks of Marine Protected Areas in the Philippines: Biophysical, Legal, Institutional, and Social Considerations

Abstract

The growing number of marine protected areas (MPAs)

Multi-level governance for large marine commons: Politics and polycentricity in Palau's protected area network

“…As Agardy (2005, p. 244) has pointed out, an MPA network has ''a dual nature'' of ''connecting physical sites deemed ecologically critical (ecological networks), and linking people and institutions in order to make effective conservation possible (human networks).'' While there has been a proliferation of research on the biophysical dimensions of MPA networks (e.g., Airamé et al, 2003;Botsford et al, 2003;Gaines et al, 2010;Moffitt et al, 2011;Roberts et al, 2003), there has been comparatively little research on the political and institutional dimensions thereof (but see Grilo, 2011;Lowry et al, 2009;Sievanen et al, 2013). To be clear, institutions herein refer to the formal and informal rules, norms, and strategies that structure human interactions (Ostrom, 2005).…”

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

“…For example, Burke et al [19] estimate that 14% are effectively managed in SE Asia and Lowry et al [21] estimate that less than 20% of 1100 MPAs in the Philippines are managed effectively. Globally, only 24% of all protected areas are managed 'soundly' [38].…”

“…However, the successful achievement of this dual mandate is more complex in reality than in theory. Indeed, many authors and reports have questioned how effective MPAs have been at achieving either social or ecological outcomes [19][20][21]. De Santo [22] suggests that with agreements to establish MPAs in 10% of the ocean [23], quality is being lost in the push towards quantity and more attention needs to be given to achieving successful outcomes for conservation and local communities [10,24,25].…”

Tropical Marine EBM Feasibility: A Synthesis of Case Studies and Comparative Analyses

“…The generation of and equitable distribution of economic benefits is a strong predictor of field management success and sustainability Christie, 2004;. Positive social interactions, reduction of conflict, and learning are essential elements of commitment (Lowry et al, 2009;Pietri et al, 2009).…”

“…The Hawaii case study shows how local efforts can emerge and coalesce into larger scale efforts within a relatively centralized governance context (Tissot et al, 2009). The Philippine cases exhibit creative solutions to the challenge of scaling up within a highly decentralized governance context through multimunicipal government clusters (Armada et al, 2009;Eisma-Osorio et al, 2009;Lowry et al, 2009). In short, there is no single overarching blueprint for EBM.…”