Bridging the gap of localizing international MPA management effectiveness indicators and policy implications

Abstract

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a global priority for biodiversity conservation, with rapid expansion increasing the need for effective management assessment mechanisms. While international assessment toolboxes exist, they are often criticized for being complex or misaligned with local conditions, prompting a need for context-specific approaches. However, there has been little focus on identifying and addressing the challenges of localizing these international tools. This study addresses this gap by presenting an importance-applicability analysis of the frequently used management effectiveness indicators based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) framework, applied to a benchmark, the Wanghaixiang Chaojing Bay Resource Conservation Area in Taiwan. Through a literature review and semistructured interviews, the study examines the practical challenges of implementing the indicators. Findings indicate a clear gap between the perceived importance of the indicators and their local applicability, highlighting hidden challenges related to data availability, expertise, local context, and governance structures across biophysical, socioeconomic, and governance indicators. The strategies to bridge this gap are including accounting for indicator interconnectedness, designing long-term evaluation plans, and incorporating the perspectives of onsite managers, whose daily operational knowledge is vital but often overlooked. The findings contribute to removing obstacles in worldwide marine conservation by improving the cost-effectiveness and consistency of MPA governance.