Phase IV – Developing a model for strategic adaptive management of MPAs in the Western Indian Ocean

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are one of the best strategies to conserve habitats and their biodiversity and are expected to achieve an increasingly diverse set of conservation, social, and economic objectives. However, global studies point to significant shortfalls in MPA management effectiveness. Effective MPA management occurs when managers have the flexibility to respond rapidly to threats and can use data strategically to guide management decision-making. Through adaptive management, measurable objectives are established, and actions are based on the status of objectives. Managers evaluate previous management actions in a system of continual learning. We hypothesized that implementing adaptive management and increasing management effectiveness requires an agency-wide focus on the five elements of adaptive capacity, as well as the behavior change building blocks of individual attitudes, sense of locus of control, level of involvement, and cultural subjective norms. We also developed and tested a theory of change involving a series of seven key steps: 1) Build capacity institutionally, 2) develop measurable objectives, 3) provide data access, 4) increase conservation commitment, 5) develop a culture of inclusivity, 6) provide a framework for data incorporation into decision-making, and 7) develop support networks. We further hypothesized that the sequential application of these 7 steps (Table 2)  will lead to management effectiveness  and improved social and ecological MPA outcomes. We were able to implement the seven steps outlined successfully and found that this process increased system understanding and led to some ecological impacts. However, the systematic evaluation of evidence and application of knowledge to MPA decision-making is still weak. We found that initial adaptive capacity can affect the speed of uptake of new management approaches and if very low, can inhibit uptake. However, we also found that adaptive capacity can be increased through the process of adaptive management implementation, particularly through changes in perceived empowerment. Implementation of an adaptive management and collaborative learning approach led to notable cultural shifts within participating MPAs. We identified several areas that will be important if regional management effectiveness is to improve. These include sustainable financing, increased interaction and communication between managers and scientists, and long-term and dedicated MPA “mentors”. Mentors can help analyze MPA data and provide quality control, help translate data to management needs, and sequentially build MPA staff capacity. Finally, as the SAM approach has been requested in other WIO nations (e.g., Comoros and South Africa), there is a need for a strong network of peer-to-peer trainers who can then support new MPAs joining the network and strengthen the approach in current SAM MPAs.