Three reports of interest to those concerned with MPAs and marine biodiversity:

1.Marine protected Areas – Smart Investments in Ocean Health – report WWF

Valuing MPAs – some useful material on economics of MPAs and high cost benefit ratios associated with them.

http://ocean.panda.org/media/WWF_Marine_Protected_Areas_LR_SP.pdf

2. Report explores recovery of habitats and species in Scotland’s new Marine Protected Areas

Downloads

SNH ‘A new report has shown that once damaged, nationally and internationally important marine wildlife and habitats may take tens or even hundreds of years to recover.

The study, commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), reviewed factors that may help or limit the recovery of habitats and species such as horse mussel and maerl beds, common skate and native oysters. It also considered ways to help address any declines. The findings will help the Scottish Government and SNH take action to look after the Scottish Marine Protected Areas (MPA) network. This will include action for Nature Conservation MPAs, which were put in place last year, partly to help support the recovery of marine habitats such as flameshell and maerl beds.’ To read more go to:

An online copy of the report “A review of the recovery potential and influencing factors of relevance to the management of habitats and species within Marine Protected Areas around Scotland” is available at http://www.snh.gov.uk/publications-data-and-research/publications/search-the-catalogue/publication-detail/?id=2385 

http://snh.presscentre.com/News-Releases/Report-explores-recovery-of-habitats-and-species-in-Scotland-s-new-Marine-Protected-Areas-1fd.aspx 

3. MCCIP report card: Climate change will affect how we protect the marine environment

The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) recently launched its latest report card at the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS) annual science conference in Glasgow. It focuses on how climate change could affect the implementation of marine biodiversity legislation – and in particular legislation used to establish marine protected areas.  To access the online version of the MCCIP Special Topic Report Card 2015 please visit click on this link www.mccip.org.uk/mbl.