4. Economic, Social, and Environmental Significance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been established to protect, preserve, and shelter vulnerable and endangered marine life. These areas contribute substantially to reducing the degradation of coastal habitats and sea life, maintaining biodiversity, preventing the loss of marine species, increasing productivity, supporting ecological systems, and protecting the oceans. In particular, these areas serve as a safeguard of fish stocks. Conservation efforts have significant positive economic, sociocultural, and environmental impact on livelihoods, food security, income generation, as well as poverty reduction for coastal communities. MPAs form the cornerstone of a blue economy which contribute to sustainable development in coastal communities as well as for the national economy as a whole. It is therefore important to improve the understanding of MPAs’ importance among all stakeholders and local communities; only then can we conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. In this regard, local communities play a key role to promote sustainable use of marine resources and our natural heritage. Thus, this chapter discusses the economic, social, and ecological importance of global MPAs.