Lecture by Dr. Tundi Agardy, Executive Director, Sound Seas

"MPAs: A Vital Tool for Conserving Nature and Resolving Conflicts"

Summary by Kat Hall , MEM 2003

Dr. Agardy began the lecture by demonstrating her support of multiple-use marine protected areas (MPAs) versus those which are designed to accommodate one resource or objective. This, she claimed, is seen as going outside the traditional sphere of past MPA work, and often into controversial areas. She spoke of the classic "ideological rift" between narrow benefit "no-take" MPAs, designed specifically to protect biota by supporting exclusionary practices and opposing extractive practices, and broad benefit "multiple-use" MPAs which target a variety of objectives (e.g. protection of endangered and migratory species, development of coastal zone management models, ecotourism, scientific research, socioeconomic issues, etc.). A recent shift from "no-take" to "multiple-use" has created this rift amongst stakeholders in case studies throughout the world.

Dr. Agardy refers to marine protected areas as "marine biosphere reserves" (MBRs), which are defined as large coastal or open ocean areas zoned for multiple use and established to protect ecosystems, special species, and threatened lifestyles. Divided into "core" and "buffer" zones, they take an all-important "man-in" approach. The "big three" components in the management of MBRs include science (ecosystem-based research), sociological considerations (e.g. stewardship to stakeholders), and socio-economics (pooling of funds and self-financing to create incentives). Dr. Agardy stressed the importance of the need to harness all disciplines in the success of MPAs, and referred to the gap between social scientists and "hard" physical or natural scientists.

She then illustrated the interdependence of the big three components through a discussion of three principal direct threats and a collection of indirect threats to MPAs. First, the overexploitation of "high" and "low" value species leads to economic extinction. The marlin and bluefin tuna fisheries, for example, and high value species harvested in low volumes. Profit margins are high, and in order to maintain a sustainable harvest, intense regulation is required. Conversely, "trophic mining" occurs for low value species, which are harvested unsustainably at high volumes to meet the demands of increasing coastal populations. As another component, she described that fishing is not necessarily only measured by how many individuals we take, but rather how we take them. Threats to MPAs are seen in bycatch estimates, detrimental effects of gear type (e.g. trawling, longlining, etc.), and methods of processing (packaging and shipping), which all generate environmental costs. Lastly, there exists a blur between commercial (large scale) vs. subsistence (small scale) fishing practices. Contrary to popular belief, the high density of subsistence fishing produces just as much of a threat to MPAs as commercial practices. Indirect threats requiring integration of the "big three" include eutrophication, wetland loss, algal blooms, marine pathogens, and pollution on a small scale; and global climate change, the El Nino Southern Oscillation, and coral bleaching on a large scale.

What is an example of a successful MBR? Dr. Agardy chose the case study of the Bijagos Archipelago in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Its primary objective is its focus on humans. Key players in this study include the Senegalese fishermen and the Bijagos people, whose only connection to the ocean, ironically, is through spiritual gods. The biggest piece of the puzzle is the revenue collected by the federal government through the licensing of foreign fishing vessels. The government does not have much of an interest in its sustainable fisheries. From their perspective, if a fishery is eradicated, fishermen will merely switch to another, whereas if restrictions were implemented, the government would face significant revenue loss. As a poor, third world nation, what is the incentive to protect the interests of subsistence users and the environment? In order to address this, a large scale MBR covering the entire archipelago was created. It focuses on the effects of pelagic fisheries on coastal fisheries. It is multiple-use in nature, multidisciplinary, and satisfies many objectives. Additionally, it has created stewards out of its users, and is seen as beneficial to all. Guinea-Bissau is now able to effectively address its resource management issues.

Dr. Agardy proceeded to explain the difference between in situ and ex situ conservation, which is really just a function of direct vs. indirect benefits, respectively, as opposed to threats. She concluded on a practical, realistic note in claiming that MPAs can only go so far. Despite our efforts, we are still only protecting "fragments" of the ocean ecosystem, not it in its entirely. She stressed once again the need for an integrated, multiple-use model to focus on the broader context. International, bilateral, and regional efforts are crucial. Her take-home message, then, was that the variable and diverse nature of multiple-use MPAs serves a variety of objectives, but must be adapted to local conditions and although necessary, cannot sufficiently be used alone.