“Revitalizing Our Oceans: The Promise of Marine Prosperity Areas”

A recent study published on February 6 in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science reveals the details of the Marine Prosperity Areas (MPpAs) framework, designed by Aburto and a global team of marine experts and economists. This approach centers on the concept of prosperity — a state of success or flourishing — and aligns human welfare with the restoration of specific marine and coastal regions.

Marine Prosperity Areas represent a more integrated method of marine conservation, utilizing targeted financial investments to boost human welfare during active ecological restoration. The authors of the study are urging governments, NGOs, and local communities to promote MPpAs as a vital element of global conservation efforts and to commit to the necessary investments and collaborations for a sustainable future.

“Conservation often requires sacrifices today for benefits that may come decades later, which is unrealistic for communities facing immediate socio-economic challenges,” commented Aburto, the lead author of the study and a professor of marine biology at Scripps Oceanography. “Our model for Marine Prosperity Areas tackles this issue by demonstrating how human well-being can be enhanced while waiting for ecological recovery. By strategically coordinating recovery initiatives, both people and ecosystems can flourish.”

If established, Marine Prosperity Areas could serve as a leading strategy to meet global conservation goals, the authors indicate. This aligns with the “30 by 30” target under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, an international pledge to safeguard 30% of the oceans worldwide by 2030.

This new framework builds upon decades of research regarding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), fisheries, and coastal habitats particularly in the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, and the Gulf of California, recognized as a crucial marine hotspot. The authors identified the necessity to reform the current model for marine protections because, despite long-standing efforts, a cohesive framework was lacking. The new model incorporates strategic financial investments alongside tailored community partnerships, seamlessly bridging ecological conservation, economic development, environmental accountability, and social policy to the benefit of both people and the environment.

For instance, in regions noted for their natural beauty, initial funding could inspire ecotourism by aiding community-led diving or snorkeling programs. In other settings, small grants might enable local residents to set up sustainable aquaculture projects or support technological innovations to create artificial reefs for ecosystem restoration. Overall, the emphasis is on creating opportunities for community members to diversify their income sources, sustainably manage their natural resources, and stimulate economic development.

“The idea of Marine Prosperity Areas helps bridge the gap between environmental and social outcomes,” explained study co-author Alfredo Giron, a former Scripps Oceanography student now leading the World Economic Forum’s Ocean Action Agenda and Friends of Ocean Action. “It allows us to recognize the intrinsic connection between nature and people, so a marine management plan must strive for positive results for both.”

The authors pinpointed three main phases — referred to as “Pillars on Intervention” — that define the establishment of a Marine Prosperity Area:

1. Community Engagement and Co-Design: The initial emphasis is on mobilizing the community and deeply involving all relevant stakeholders in collaboratively defining prosperity and identifying pathways to achieve it. This phase prioritizes the co-creation of sustainable resource management strategies that resonate with local aspirations, thereby fostering inclusion.

2. Capacity Building, Governance, and Infrastructure: The aim of this phase is to lay the foundation for the Marine Prosperity Area. This involves strengthening community capabilities in designing and managing the MPpA, developing governance structures with legal frameworks for oversight, and integrating conflict resolution systems, as well as establishing enforcement mechanisms.

3. Monitoring, Enforcement, and Co-Management: This stage establishes a basis for implementing a flexible and collaborative management framework. Effective monitoring and enforcement are crucial, providing scientific insights to continuously inform decisions and enabling stakeholders to enhance all aspects of prosperity.

The prosperity-focused framework presents an ambitious plan with a long-term outlook, as noted by the authors. It takes advantage of a range of proven community-based intervention and investment approaches to bolster access to environmental science, social goods, services, and the financial benefits of the blue economy.

“This initiative provides a clear pathway for conservation that is inclusive and impactful, enabling both communities and nature to thrive, provided investment and proactive engagement are prioritized,” added co-author Catalina Lopez, who leads the Gulf of California Marine Program at the Institute of the Americas.

The authors drew inspiration from various marine protection success stories, including Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park established in 1995. This small “no-take” marine reserve in Baja California Sur, Mexico, had suffered from overfishing and pollution for years. A collaborative conservation project involving scientists, the Mexican government, and the Cabo Pulmo community — including local fishermen — has led to a revival of local fish populations, benefitting both the marine environment and local economies.

In addition, successes in marine protection efforts in areas like La Paz and Santa Maria Bay in Mexico informed the framework’s design. Each of these cases thrived due to strong community involvement and sustainable funding, with initial grants being crucial to their results.

However, not every marine protection initiative has thrived. In certain cases, communities faced challenges participating fully due to financial constraints as they awaited long-term ecosystem recovery. The new framework seeks to address this issue by actively funding initiatives that promote human welfare rather than relying solely on ecosystem recovery to stimulate social and economic improvements.

The initiative also aims to consider the interests and needs of a diverse range of stakeholders, including economic sectors that rely on both extractive and non-extractive use of marine resources, along with Indigenous peoples, local communities, and other underserved groups.

“One prominent obstacle to successful implementation will be securing consistent support for this vision throughout all phases,” remarked study co-author Valentina Platzgummer, who oversees the Conservation Leadership Program and works at the Centro para la Biodiversidad Marina y la Conservación, A.C. “Maintaining long-term commitment from all stakeholders, both in terms of financial resources and support, will be essential to navigate complexities and realizing the framework’s objectives.”

The authors highlighted the existing “strong enthusiasm” among many individuals and organizations to engage with and support initiatives like Marine Prosperity Areas. This collective partnership is vital for the lasting success of any conservation effort.

“This willingness to cooperate is crucial, and I believe with organized and directed efforts, we can bring about the systemic changes required to safeguard and restore our oceans,” stated study co-author Rocío Abud Mirabent, who directs Fundación Coppel, an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people in Mexico.

Ultimately, the proposed framework for Marine Prosperity Areas envisions a future where both vibrant ecosystems and thriving communities coexist, rekindling the connection between humanity and the sea. As the authors assert, the framework is adaptable and can be applied globally.

“This vision is not just feasible but essential to our collective well-being as we face growing environmental and social challenges,” they concluded.

Additional contributors to the study include Erica Ferrer of UC Santa Cruz, América Ávalos Galindo and Claudia Núñez Sañudo from Fundación Coppel in Mexico, Fabio Favoretto of Scripps Oceanography, Isabel Mendoza Camacho from SUCEDE Sociedad en Acción Sinaloa in Mexico, Marisol Plascencia de La Cruz from Centro para la Biodiversidad Marina y la Conservación in Mexico, and Alejandro Robles from NOS Noroeste Sustentable in Mexico.

Funding for the research team came from multiple sources, including the Mary Jameson Foundation, the Baum Foundation, the UC Santa Cruz Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program, and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.