Lessons from Lyme Bay (UK) to inform policy, management, and monitoring of Marine Protected Areas

Chloe Renn, Sian Rees, Adam Rees, Bede F.R. Davies, Amy Y. Cartwright, Sam Fanshawe, Martin J. Attrill, Luke A. Holmes, Emma V. Sheehan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This decade represents a critical period to profoundly rethink human–nature interactions in order to address the interwoven climate and biodiversity crises. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) demonstrate promise for increasing ecosystem resilience and reversing habitat and population declines, but outcomes vary considerably from context to context. Partially protected areas offer a compromise between ecological recovery and the social needs of local communities, but their success is contingent on an array of factors. This in-depth review summarizes 15 years of marine conservation research and impact in Lyme Bay (southwest UK), to serve as a model for the future adoption of partially protected MPAs. The findings from the UK’s longest integrated socioecological monitoring MPA study are presented and supplemented by an evaluation of the whole-site management approach as a core element of Lyme Bay’s achievements. The journey from research to improved monitoring and ambitious policy is illustrated within and interspersed with stories of novel discoveries, ongoing challenges, and method developments. What started as a dedicated group of community members has grown into an immense collaboration between fishers, scientists, NGOs, and regulators, and their combined efforts have sent ripple effects of positive change across the globe.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)276-292
Number of pages17
JournalICES Journal of Marine Science
Volume81
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oceanography
  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Aquatic Science
  • Ecology

Keywords

  • ecosystem-based management
  • fisheries
  • fishery management
  • marine conservation
  • marine policy
  • Marine Protected Areas
  • partnerships
  • socioeconomics

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