MPAs Provide Priceless Benefits

The designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is a key mechanism to protect the benefits and services that the ocean provides.

The importance of protecting and enhancing the ecological health of Pncima cannot be overstated. Determining the value of the ecological services Pncima provides is challenging, but a recent estimate suggests the value of these services in the order of $92 billion per year¹ . Many ecosystem services cannot be replicated in any known way – and could fairly be called priceless. More about ecosystem services>>

One of the main benefits of MPAs is their ability to preserve ecosystems. MPAs protect ecosystem components such as habitat, threatened species, fish populations, communities, and areas that are biologically rich. MPA’s can act as a buffer against human pressures and reservoirs against human and naturally occurring disturbances, including and especially climate change.

The ecological value of MPAs also provides a well documented economic benefit for fisheries. MPAs can boost fish stocks in terms of biomass, egg production, and other indicators. A network of MPA’s in Pncima will help ensure sustainable economies for communities that depend on the fishery. In fact, studies conducted in other jurisdictions have concluded that MPA’s are one of the most cost-effective means to conserve and provide fishing opportunities.

MPA’s are also beneficial for tourism and recreation. Thousands of people travel to Pncima each year to view and experience its natural beauty. The economic benefits of these businesses are evident. Increased ocean productivity from MPA’s would result in better fishing opportunities for recreational fishing and increase wildlife viewing opportunities.

Finally, MPAs provide baseline information to monitor the effect of policy and management and to monitor environmental change and provide research opportunities which will benefit government, academia and educational institutions.

Creating Certainty
Contrary to the concerns of some marine stakeholders that MPAs may reduce or prohibit opportunities, establishing a network of MPAs within the context of the Pncima plan can reduce uncertainty by indicating early in the assessment process locations that could or should not be considered for industrial activity.

1. School of Resource and Environmental Management. Simon Fraser University (2009), Vancouver, BC: Canada. Chris Joseph, Thomas I. Gunton. Benefits of Marine Planning: An Assessment of Economic and Environmental Values. download>>