Technology and the Seas: Enforcement in Marine Protected Areas

摘要

Established in over 65 countries and territories, marine protected areas (MPAs) embody a range of habitats, enable the provision of fundamental ecosystem services, protect marine biodiversity and cultural resources, and provide spaces to conduct cutting-edge research and implement innovative policies. Yet management of MPAs can face challenges, including the lack of adequate tools, the need for rules to secure comprehensive monitoring, the vastness of the ocean, and more. There remain questions of how agencies work together to establish these areas both domestically and internationally, what are the innovative technologies that can aid in monitoring, and how MPAs can be enforced. On September 24, 2019, the Environmental Law Institute hosted an expert panel that delved into groundbreaking technologies, innovative legal frameworks, and examples of successful domestic and international MPAs. Below, we present a transcript of the discussion, which has been edited for style, clarity, and space considerations.