Charting the value and limits of other effective conservation measures (OECMs) for marine conservation: A Delphi study
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: Other effective conservation measures (OECMs) will play an important role in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework as a way for governments to achieve “30 × 30” (30% protection of land and oceans by 2030). However, the policy tool remains relatively new, is expanding from multiple perspectives, and requires clarification. We conducted a Delphi study – a structured technique designed to elicit the insights of a panel of experts – to chart the value and limits of OECMs for marine conservation. Results of the Delphi reveal a high degree of consensus on several core areas of this emerging policy tool. Experts agreed that OECMs can advance equitable and effective conservation. Realizing these opportunities will require strengthening local and Indigenous rights and prioritizing principles of social equity. The panel also agreed on five key challenges, ranging from ensuring that the burden to prove effectiveness does not fall to local communities to securing adequate resources to support OECMs. In contrast, no consensus was reached on how to measure the effectiveness of OECMs, highlighting the need to develop shared monitoring guidelines. Taken together, these findings outline a clear policy and research agenda to support the contributions of OECMs towards equitable, effective, and enduring conservation.
Source: Marine Policy
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,750
Funders: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bloomberg Family Foundation, Nature Conservancy, Science for Nature and People Partnership, Australian Research Council, Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Australian Research Council, National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis
OpenAlex ID: W4309720649