Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are recognised as a key tool for marine conservation and already cover significant parts of some sea basins around Europe. In parallel, the \u2018blue economy\u2019 \u2013 industries based upon the ocean and its products – and demand for marine space across Europe is growing. The \u2018blue economy\u2019 is expected to play a significant role within the central EU policy of promoting jobs and growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cA commonly held concern about MPAs is that they may constrain economic activity, adding costs to businesses and restricting opportunities for growth and jobs, even for those industries that are expected to benefit from improved marine biodiversity and environmental conditions more generally. This is important as interactions with MPAs will increase as the marine area under MPA designation expands and the blue economy continues to grow,\u201d said PML\u2019s Dr Stefanie Broszeit.<\/p>\n
To ensure that the planning and management of MPAs can be taken forward to maximise benefits \u2013 for the marine environment, to the blue economy and society more generally – the linkages between maritime sectors and the potential benefits of MPAs need to be better understood. There is a need to integrate these linkages into decisions surrounding the management of MPAs.<\/p>\n
Plymouth Marine Laboratory is carrying out a survey to find out how MPAs and other spatial protection measures provide benefits to the blue economy. We want to examine what these economic benefits are and how they are gained. We are also interested in the role of MPA governance in conflict management, the creation of win-win situations between multiple users and the sustainable use of MPAs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether you are an MPA manager or work in \u2018blue economy\u2019 sectors we would like to hear your opinions,\u201d said Stefanie Broszeit.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo matter which part of the \u2018blue economy\u2019 you are involved in (fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and recreation, energy, shipping transport, seaports and marinas, blue biotechnology, seabed aggregates and other mining, dredging and offshore construction) we would like to know what you think of MPAs and their economic impact. \u201c<\/p>\n