Marine Protected Areas: Securing Benefits for Sustainable Development - Frontiers 2017: Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern

Marine protected areas offer one of the best options for maintaining or returning ocean and coastal ecosystems to healthy conditions, particularly when developed as part of a wider management system. Ecological benefits come from protecting species, habitats and ecosystem functions. Social benefits come from engaging stakeholders in the planning and the fair sharing of benefits. Economic benefits come from ensuring the long-term sustainable use of natural resources and tourism incomes. The combined impact could support many of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including reducing poverty, improving food security and tackling impacts of climate change.