In this capitalisation, the FFEM and MPAs summarised:
- 27 years of support to MPAs
- Almost €50 million in subsidies
- Over 40 projects financed in over 200 MPAs
The oceans serve as climate regulators and are pivotal to the food security of many populations; they are immense biodiversity reservoirs and essential to sustaining life on Earth. However, they are subject to many pressures and are severely threatened. MPAs have been recognised as key strategies in their preservation. In addition, they can provide axes for socio-economic development, so are ideally suited to the FFEM’s dual mandate.
For over 25 years, the FFEM has financed and supported MPA projects in many regions around the world. Given today's circumstances, the time has come to share this knowledge, the lessons learned and recommendations in order to be able to scale-up the most innovative solutions. This is the goal of this publication, the first component in a new FFEM capitalisation, which targets practitioners and decision-makers, and should help guide future action for preserving marine resources and developing the populations impacted.
Good practices:
- Better understanding for better management
- Engage waterside populations in management
- Reconcile ecological, socio-economic and cultural challenges
- Avoid viewing the MPA in isolation - it is intrinsic to its region, so requires a regional approach
- Strengthen the resilience of the MPA via restoration of the environments, the promotion of nature-based solutions, and the diversification of socio-economic development initiatives.
- Future-proof the MPA by equipping it with sufficient human and financial resources, researching innovative solutions and putting in place rewarding partnerships.