Marine protected areas and global marine sustainability
An empirical study using the Pressure–State–Response framework
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21691072 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Dae Eui Kim (0009-0006-2247-4399, Korea University), Song Soo Lim (0000-0002-2894-1879, Korea University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-18 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-20 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Environment and Development Economics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1355-770X • E-ISSN: 1469-4395 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s1355770x2610045x |
| OpenAlex | W7130653734 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 62 |
Marine protected areas (MPAs) have proliferated to protect marine ecosystems and manage unsustainable fishing, but their outcomes vary by economic and governance contexts. Drawing on a panel dataset spanning 1995–2021 and employing the Pressure–State–Response framework, this study analyses how MPA coverage is associated with overexploited fish stocks and examines Official Development Assistance (ODA). Results show MPAs in high-income countries are associated with lower overexploited catch rates, reflecting robust governance. In low-income nations, however, limited capacity is often linked to ‘paper parks’ with negligible impact. Multi-purpose ODA – supporting sustainability goals – appears more effective than single-purpose ODA and is associated with better conservation outcomes. Integrating MPAs with fisheries management, supported by international assistance for enforcement, appears important for bridging disparities in effectiveness. By highlighting the interplay among economic conditions, governance and funding, this study offers higher-level insights into factors that shape MPA effectiveness, contributing to broader policy discussions on marine conservation
Corporate governance · Ecosystem-Based Management · Empirical research · Marine conservation · Marine ecosystem · Marine protected area · Marine reserve · Marine spatial planning · Sustainability · Coastal and Marine Management · Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management · Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
Guidelines for applying protected area management categories
Biological effects within no-take marine reserves
Mind the gap
Targeting global conservation funding to limit immediate biodiversity declines
Capacity shortfalls hinder the performance of marine protected areas globally
Challenges for fishers’ engagement in Marine Protected Areas
Payments for ecosystem services and the financing of global biodiversity conservation
Achieving SDG 14 in an equitable and just way
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |