Ad-hoc or Regional |
An unplanned collection of MPAs in a given area, not established with a cohesive goal |
To meet international conservation targets, serve as potential foundation for a planned network |
North-western Mediterreanean, Hawai'i, Caribbean |
Conservation |
A collection of MPAs in a given area aimed at protecting conservation priority sites |
To protect replicates of representative ecosystems, critical areas, damaged habitats |
Great Barrier Reef, Chile, Australian Commonwealth MPA networks, Florida Keys |
Management |
A collection of MPAs in a given area established to manage a marine resource and multiple human uses |
To protect targeted species, increase reproductive capacity, increase yield, optimize coastal uses while meeting conservation targets, avoid conflicts |
West Hawai'i, US West Coast Rockfish Conservation Areas, US Essential Fish Habitat Closures |
Social |
A collection of MPAs whose managers, practitioners, stakeholders, decision-makers, scientists, and others interact and transfer knowledge |
To promote interaction among participants to effectively plan, manage, implement, or monitor area-based management of marine resources and associated uses |
Mediterreanean Protected Areas Network (MedPAN), Caribbean Marine Protected Area Managers (CaMPAM) |
Connectivity |
A set of multiple MPAs connected by the movement and dispersal of larvae, juveniles, or adults |
To maximize conservation benefits but minimize no-take area by establishing multiple, interconnected MPAs |
Papua New Guinea, Gulf of California, California coast, Moorea, West Hawai'i |