MPA4FISH: Socio-ecological planning of no-fishing MPA to benefit fisheries

Biodiversa +

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a proven nature-based solution that can simultaneously support biodiversity recovery, ecosystem functioning and human well-being through sustainable fisheries. However, MPAs are often perceived to conflict with fisheries, leading to political inertia and limiting effective protection despite strong ecological, economic and social evidence of their benefits.

This conflict represents a major obstacle to addressing biodiversity loss and the decline of coastal fisheries, especially for small-scale and artisanal fishing communities. By reframing MPAs as a tool that can directly contribute to food security, socio-economic stability and ecosystem resilience, this project addresses a pressing challenge for biodiversity and society, while contributing to international policy objectives, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the EU Regulation on Nature Restoration and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Project

Line of action:

Knowledge generation and management

Status:

En ejecución

Execution date:

2026

End date:

2029

Project web page:

https://www.biodiversa.eu/2026/04/03/mpa4fish/

Objectives

MPA4Fish aims to improve the design of Marine Protected Areas so that biodiversity conservation and fisheries benefits are simultaneously achieved.

Using models, data and stakeholder engagement at multiple scales, the project will identify priority areas and demonstrate how no-fishing Marine Protected Areas can benefit both ecosystems and fisheries.

Actions

Integration of ecological and fisheries data from the project’s case studies in the North-West Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean and Global Ocean.
Development and application of ecosystem models (e.g., trophic and food web models) at various scales.
Evaluation of management scenarios that include different AMP configurations.
Cross-region comparison to identify common patterns in AMP effects.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of MPAs in different ecological and fisheries contexts.
Generation of spatial management scenarios based on modelling results.
Assessment of priority areas for marine protection that maximize ecological and fisheries benefits.
Collaboration with consortium partners to integrate results into management recommendations.

MPA4FISH: Socio-ecological planning of no-fishing MPA to benefit fisheries

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