MPA News
Why we should be optimistic about the future of MPA finance: Interview with Amílcar Guzmán Valladares and Viviana Luján Gallegos of Wolfs Company
Amílcar Guzmán Valladares and Viviana Luján Gallegos of Wolfs Company have worked with dozens of MPAs to develop business plans and financing mechanisms. They believe there's reason for optimism about the future of MPA finance. We find out why.
Promoting a portfolio of regional MPA projects to potential donors and investors
The ecosystem services provided by protected areas must be made more apparent, says Carlos Espinosa of Dos Mares. To do that, he says management programs should align MPA activities with the needs of local communities. He's now building a portfolio of community-aligned projects in Central American MPAs, and looking to attract donors and investors.
Steering the behavior of MPA users: Why a diversity of approaches is the key to MPA governance
Peter Jones of University College London has researched MPA governance for the past decade. His latest publication breaks down the full range of incentives that an MPA can use to steer behavior – from payments for ecosystem services, to assessing penalties for rule-breaking, to building on local customs, and many more. We asked him why managers should consider the governance of their sites.
How the post-COVID world will be different for MPAs (and how practitioners can plan ahead for the next disruption)
What will the MPA world be like when this pandemic is over? "What's increasingly clear is that we are not going back to where we were before the COVID-19 pandemic hit," says Carol Phua. "There is a ‘new normal.’"
Science Corner: Learning networks – Partially protected marine areas – MPAs that move over time – MPAs and heat waves
These recent articles on MPA-related science and policy are each free to access.
More than 80 nations have now committed to 30×30 target for MPAs
More than 80 nations have now committed to 30×30 target for MPAs: As we reported in our last issue, the target of protecting 30% of national and global waters by 2030 – referred to as 30×30 – continues to gain momentum. By MPA News’s count, at least 83 nations have now committed to the 30×30 target, as of early March 2021. Most of the growth has been the result of coalitions of nations making the commitment together, as indicated below (there is overlap among these coalitions, with some nations joining more than one – MPA News has accounted for the overlap in…
Letter from the Editor: Building a new ‘normal’ for MPAs after COVID-19
It is natural to want to return to normal from this pandemic. But before COVID-19, most MPAs lacked adequate funding to meet their goals, and way too many MPAs were paper parks. That was our normal. We need to build a new one.
“Life after the pandemic will not be the same as before”: How the revenue-savvy Brijuni National Park has navigated COVID-19 and is planning for the future
MPA News reported on Brijuni in 2014 and said it might be the most revenue-savvy MPA in the world, with multiple income streams. When COVID-19 happened and tourism slowed, Brijuni’s budget took a hit. MPA News returns to Brijuni to see how the MPA has responded, and what lessons it could provide on lowering costs, securing revenues, and rebuilding a tourism base.
Charting a new course for MPA finance: Practitioners explore new concepts like public-private partnerships, the use of financial technology, and more
Even before COVID, the MPA field was in need of new ideas and tools for financing. We highlight three new concepts, and how practitioners are exploring their possibilities.
Resources on MPAs and COVID-19: Biodiversity conservation during COVID – Impacts on the marine environment and economy – Grants
This year amid the ongoing pandemic, MPA News has been compiling related resources for our readers. Here is our latest collection: