Constance M. Schéré, PhD

Marine life increasingly faces threats due to human activity. A wide array of methods is currently applied to manage and protect marine resources, at the forefront of which is establishing marine protected areas (MPAs). There is no single definition of an MPA, and the role of each one depends on its specific objectives. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) calls for MPAs to be effectively and equitably managed, but the effectiveness of MPAs remains largely debated. An approach to MPA management that addresses the concerns of the entire MPA ecosystem – which includes biophysical, socioeconomic, and institutional factors – is needed and as such, the role of ecosystem management in MPAs, using the Irish Sea as a case study, was examined. There is a lack of research on MPAs in the Irish Sea, despite having almost 200 designations across over 110 sites. Gaps in Irish Sea MPA management and monitoring were first identified in a research study to determine whether there are any ‘paper parks’ – MPAs that exist solely on paper. A relationship between the number of designations of a given site and the presence of a management plan was found, and this was also linked to monitoring and favourable ecological assessment outcomes. Although not all paper parks, many Irish Sea MPAs lacked management and monitoring. Ecological site conditions and their monitoring were further examined using intertidal mudflats at Strangford Lough and the Solway Firth as a case study habitat. Population data of benthic species and wintering shorebirds were used as proxies to explore changes in mudflat conditions on a temporal scale, using AMBI (benthic species) and Shannon-Wiener’s H’ (benthic species and shorebirds) values to assess habitat quality. This study highlighted the need for a more holistic approach to conservation management in the intertidal zone of MPAs, as species population data as sole indicators cannot always be relied upon to adequately assess site conditions, especially where large gaps in monitoring frequency can make it difficult to draw sufficient conclusions about the state of these habitats. This thesis also considered the issue of equity in three case-study MPAs (Strangford Lough, Carlingford Lough, and the Solway Firth) to better understand stakeholder perceptions. The Site-level Assessment for Governance and Equity (SAGE) toolkit, developed by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), was used to evaluate equitable governance and management in these MPAs and it was complemented by semi-structured interviews. The results revealed a lack of communication between MPA authorities and local stakeholders, highlighting the need for an alternative to the current top-down governance approach. This doctoral research called for a more ecosystem-based approach to MPA management, supported by adequate resources from the institutions responsible for them. Proportionate attention should be paid to habitats, target species, and local stakeholders when making management decisions and developing conservation targets. While ecosystem management is supported by the governments of Irish Sea jurisdictions in their marine plans, the current top-down governance system favoured by these governments may hinder its application due to a lack of political will and institutional isolation. This research hopes to give MPA managers, policymakers, scientists, and other stakeholders evidence on which to base more effective management of MPAs and a suite of recommendations derived from the key findings of this thesis has been provided to support MPA management and policymakers in their application of ecosystem management in Irish Sea MPAs. ​

 

This doctoral research was funded by UK Research and Innovation through the LISS-DTP and was supervised by Kate Schreckenberg and Terry Dawson.