Mediterranean marine protected areas: some prominent traits and promising trends

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEAN-GEORGES HARMELIN
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Marine Areas ◽  
Political Compromises

Mediterranean marine protected areas (MPAs) are very diverse in their intrinsic, jurisdictional, management and enforcement features (e.g. Ramos Esplá & McNeill 1994; Batisse & Jeudy de Grissac 1995). They offer a wide array of situations, ranging from relatively large multiple-use marine areas (sensu Agardy 1997), with active management and strong social interactions, to small sanctuaries that are theoretically totally closed to any human activity. This variety may illustrate a good adaptation to local needs, but often results from economic and political compromises which put the ecological considerations in the background.

scholarly journals Autonomous Marine Robot Based on AI Recognition for Permanent Surveillance in Marine Protected Areas

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2664
Author(s):  
J. Carlos Molina-Molina ◽  
Marouane Salhaoui ◽  
Antonio Guerrero-González ◽  
Mounir Arioua
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Recognition Accuracy ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Base Station ◽  
Autonomous Surface Vehicle ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Illegal Activities ◽  
Marine Areas

The world’s oceans are one of the most valuable sources of biodiversity and resources on the planet, although there are areas where the marine ecosystem is threatened by human activities. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are distinctive spaces protected by law due to their unique characteristics, such as being the habitat of endangered marine species. Even with this protection, there are still illegal activities such as poaching or anchoring that threaten the survival of different marine species. In this context, we propose an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) model system for the surveillance of marine areas by detecting and recognizing vessels through artificial intelligence (AI)-based image recognition services, in search of those carrying out illegal activities. Cloud and edge AI computing technologies were used for computer vision. These technologies have proven to be accurate and reliable in detecting shapes and objects for which they have been trained. Azure edge and cloud vision services offer the best option in terms of accuracy for this task. Due to the lack of 4G and 5G coverage in offshore marine environments, it is necessary to use radio links with a coastal base station to ensure communications, which may result in a high response time due to the high latency involved. The analysis of on-board images may not be sufficiently accurate; therefore, we proposed a smart algorithm for autonomy optimization by selecting the proper AI technology according to the current scenario (SAAO) capable of selecting the best AI source for the current scenario in real time, according to the required recognition accuracy or low latency. The SAAO optimizes the execution, efficiency, risk reduction, and results of each stage of the surveillance mission, taking appropriate decisions by selecting either cloud or edge vision models without human intervention.

PLANNING MARINE PROTECTED AREAS: A MULTIPLE USE GAME

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 610-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAARTEN J. PUNT ◽  
HANS-PETER WEIKARD ◽  
ROLF A. GROENEVELD ◽  
EKKO C. VAN IERLAND ◽  
JAN H. STEL
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Multiple Use

scholarly journals Securing Minimum Protection Standards for Canada’s Marine Protected Areas

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryann Watson
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Industrial Activities ◽  
Degree Of Protection ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
Marine Protection ◽  
The Government ◽  
Government Of Canada ◽  
Marine Areas

In 2015, the Government of Canada committed to protecting 5% of marine and coastal areas by 2017, and 10% by 2020. While admirable progress towards this target has been made, less attention has been given to improving the quality of protection afforded to marine areas. Extensive scientific study supports that several factors are critical to the success of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for marine biodiversity conservation and management objectives, including no-take areas and prohibitions on extractive and industrial activities. However, the majority of Canada’s MPAs allow extractive uses within their boundaries. As Canada works toward international and national commitments to marine protection targets, it is critical to consider the degree of protection afforded by the legal designations used to create these areas. This paper reviews the current inconsistent standards of protection across marine protected areas (MPAs) designated under the Oceans Act, Canada’s flagship legislation for marine protection. Recommended amendments to the law include standards of protection that would exclude all extractive industrial activities from MPAs in order to better guide the designation and decision-making processes for marine protection.

Marine Protected Areas in Fiji: a critical assessment of ‘Community Fisheries Management and Development Plans’ as a mechanism for formalising customary MPAs, in particular LMMAs

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-100
Author(s):  
Emily Long
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Customary Law ◽  
Marine Management ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Management And Development ◽  
Development Plans ◽  
Community Fisheries ◽  
Marine Areas

Fiji's National Government has committed to using Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to protect its marine environment. As Fiji is in the process of reforming its marine law, now is an opportune time to develop statutory mechanisms for establishing and regulating MPAs. This article considers the regulation of MPAs in Fiji's coastal waters—where the intersection of statutory and customary law poses particular challenges. ‘Customary MPAs’ already exist in Fiji's coastal environments, taking the form of tabu areas and ‘Locally Managed Marine Areas’ (LMMAs). Both of these are important mechanisms that any new statutory framework should incorporate and strengthen. In 2010, the draft Inshore Fisheries Decree (draft Inshore Decree) was prepared. Although the draft Inshore Decree appears to have stalled, it may yet be progressed to a final bill. Alternatively, some of the measures in it may be incorporated into another law. This article assesses one mechanism in the draft Inshore Decree that could be used to formalize customary MPAs—Community Fisheries Management and Development Plans (CFMDPs). It finds that CFMDPs demonstrate a number of strengths, in particular by supporting legal recognition of existing marine management measures. However, there are also weaknesses. Nevertheless, with refinement CFMDPs may be a useful tool for regulating Fiji's coastal MPAs.

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