A proposal for engagement in MPAs in areas beyond national jurisdiction: The case of Macaronesia

The Ocean is the largest ecosystem on the planet, supporting millions of people's livelihood. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are key to guarantee Ocean resilience. About 62 % of the Ocean surface coincide with areas 200 miles from coastlines, called areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). However, MPAs in ABNJ are only 1,18 % of the high seas. Stakeholder involvement is a keystone in the governance process. This is of particular importance in Macaronesia, and the need for compatibility between human activities and conservation, through the synergetic engagement of the local-maritime community. The present paper aims to develop a MPA proposal in the ABNJ context through expert consultation. The proposal was built upon the analysis of the Macaronesia region study case. Results show that there is no integrated international body to fully address the range of problems to be tackled, therefore the option to use the Conference of Parties model seems to be adequate. Considering Macaronesia region specific features, the conclusion is that select local focal points in each archipelago to enhance the local maritime community is essential. Furthermore, it would be necessary to implement Working Groups, rotative between archipelagos, to address different solutions for local conservation practices. Moreover, clear communication is fundamental since the very beginning to guarantee visibility and transparency.

Automated summary

The Ocean is the largest ecosystem on the planet, crucial for both the development of marine life and human livelihoods. However, the establishment and governance of marine protected areas (MPAs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) face challenges. This paper proposes an MPA plan in ABNJ through expert consultation and emphasizes the importance of stakeholder involvement and the synergetic engagement of local communities.