Governance frameworks for marine protected areas : proposals for Mozambique, Tanzania, and South África
Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Transboundary networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) can assist states in meeting MPA coverage targets set internationally. However, their complexity requires a careful examination of the requirements of cooperation between states for the conservation of shared natural resources, as well as an interdisciplinary approach given the nature of the problem. A theoretical framework based on environmental governance was developed to guide this case study in two selected border regions of coastal East Africa. The findings suggest that transboundary MPAs are not always the most appropriate tool for marine conservation of coral reefs and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in the Moçambique. Tanzania and Mozambique-South Africa transboundary coastal regions. The three states have modern MPA governance frameworks, but these have important insufficiencies that would need to be addressed in the creation of transboundary MPAs. International environmental law provides an important legal foundation for the creation and management of transboundary MPAs, but a sub-regional approach may be more appropriate for cooperation. A regime exists between Mozambique and South Africa for transboundary MPA-making, but one is lacking between Mozambique and Tanzania, given the former state’s interest in hydrocarbon production overriding marine conservation concerns. Nevertheless, five options for cooperation in marine conservation are suggested, depicting an increasing degree of political commitment between the three states. MPA networks may be created to include community-based MPAs, making institutional interplay a potentially critical determinant of MPA success. However, its costs need also to be considered. Finally, it was found that the lack of delimited maritime boundaries between states does not necessarily hinder the creation of a transboundary MPA, particularly if there are no salient boundary issues at stake. States considering engaging in the creation and management of transboundary networks of MPAs with their neighbors are advised to consider the multiple aspects of such endeavors, as well as their implications.
Author: Catarina Grilo
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2268313124