Marine Management Area Science

Effectiveness of a marine management area (MMA) depends on sufficient compliance and enforcement. If a MMA is only a "paper park," where the rules exist on paper but not in practice, little or no progress may occur toward management objectives. However, enforcement of MMAs, especially in large or remote areas, can be expensive and logistically challenging. It is essential to identify the shortcomings and strengths of existing MMA enforcement strategies and to provide information about successful practices.

MMAS Research Program

Analysis of MMA enforcement and recommendations for improvement. In the Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape (Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador), we are assessing the chain of enforcement from detection to arrest to prosecution to conviction, and we are identifying the weakest links.

The study is examining community-based approaches as well as new technological options for enforcement. Based on our findings, we will recommend measures to improve MMA enforcement, thereby enhancing the conservation outcomes. Principal investigator: Oswaldo Rosero. View the Work Plan >>