A workbook for assessing management effectiveness of marine protected areas in the Western Indian Ocean

Abstract

Most countries in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) have one or more marine protected areas (MPAs) dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, natural resources and cultural heritage values. Of these, two (Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park and Aldabra Atoll) are listed as World Heritage sites under the World Heritage Convention, and another three (Malindi-Watamu and Kiunga-Dodori in Kenya, and Mananara-Nord in Madagascar) are listed as Biosphere Reserves under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme in recognition of their global value. Experience has shown that it is not simply enough to declare or legally gazette an area as an MPA, although this is a vitally important step. The long term success of an MPA depends on effective management combined with demonstration of its usefulness and appropriateness as a conservation and management tool within its local and national context.