Global Benefits of Marine Protected Areas

28 Pages Posted: 19 Jan 2014

See all articles by James Rising

James Rising

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment

Geoffrey M. Heal

Columbia University - Columbia Business School, Finance; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: January 16, 2014

Abstract

Case studies suggest that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can be effective tools for fishery management. This study uses global datasets of MPAs and stock assessments to estimate the strength and robustness of their benefits. We apply multiple models, including a treatment-control pairing, a logistic model estimated with fixed-effects, and a regression tree to identify key characteristics. We find that regions with significant MPA designations increased their yearly yield by 17e3 MT/yr while those without experienced a loss of 20e3 MT/yr. On average, a 1% increase in protected area results in an increase in the growth rate of fish populations by about 1%. Considering only IUCN classified protected areas, and only marine portions of MPAs, growth rates increase 2% per percent area protected. MPA size is a key parameter which determines their per-area effectiveness. Using these results, we produce an estimate of the economic benefits of protected areas, relative to their costs. About 60% of country regions currently have insufficient protected areas to generate economic benefits, where the average break-even point for economic benefits of MPAs is at 8.5% of marine area.

Keywords: MPA, fisheries, global

JEL Classification: Q22

Suggested Citation

Rising, James and Heal, Geoffrey M., Global Benefits of Marine Protected Areas (January 16, 2014). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2380445 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2380445

James Rising (Contact Author)

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment ( email )

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Great Britain

HOME PAGE: http://existencia.org/pro

Geoffrey M. Heal

Columbia University - Columbia Business School, Finance ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://www.gsb.columbia.edu/faculty/gheal/

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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