MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
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Context
- India will continue to support setting up two Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in Antarctica to protect marine life and its ecosystem services.
Need for MPAs in Antarctica
- The Southern Ocean that encircles Antarctica covers around 10 per cent of the global ocean and is home to nearly 10,000 unique polar species.
- Climate change is altering habitats such as sea ice and the sheltered seafloor under ice shelves that are home to a variety of species.
- Commercial fishery harvest krill, a shrimp-like crustacean that can grow to 6 centimetres in length, to produce fish meal for feeding farmed fish and nutritional supplements for people.
- Increased harvesting of krill threatens animals that feed on them. These include fish, whales, seals, penguins and other seabirds.
- Climate change and anthropogenic exploitation (commercial fishing) of the region need to be minimised, and therefore MPA is necessary,” BC Choudhary, senior technical advisor at the Wildlife Trust of India, told
MPAs in Southern Ocean
- The Southern Ocean has two MPAs — one in the southern shelf of the South Orkney Islands and the other in the Ross Sea.
- These fully protect only 5 per cent of the ocean.
- All types of fishing, other than scientific research, are prohibited within the southern shelf of the South Orkney Islands MPA.
- Discharges and dumping from fishing vessels are also not allowed.
- No further MPAs have been established despite three further MPAs being at advanced stages of development.
Prospective MPAs
- Since 2012, the European Union and Australia have proposed an MPA in East Antarctica.
- An MPA was proposed in the Weddell Sea by the EU and Norway and in the waters surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula by Chile and Argentina.
- In 2021, India extended its support for designating East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea as MPA.
- China and Russia blocked these efforts at the 41st annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
Marine Protected Areas
Need
- Marine ecosystems are immensely varied both in type and geographical extent.
- Covering about 70% of the earth’s surface, these ecosystems play a crucial role in human welfare, by providing social, economic and environmental benefits to the world’s growing population.
- The pressures on marine ecosystems from human activities however are multiple, and expected to rise.
- These pressures can also re-enforce each other, exerting cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Ocean-based industries are projected to double their contribution to global value-added by 2030.
About
- A marine protected area (MPA) is essentially a space in the ocean where human activities are more strictly regulated than the surrounding waters - similar to parks we have on land.
- These places are given special protections for natural or historic marine resources by local, state, territorial, native, regional, or national authorities.
- According to this definition, MPAs cover about 4.12% of the total marine environment.
- Under both the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Sustainable Development Goals, Parties have agreed to conserve 10% of marine and coastal areas by 2020.
- CBD Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 states: By 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial and inland water, and 10% of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscape and seascapes.
Benefits
- MPAs can provide a wide variety of benefits ranging from the conservation of whole areas that are home to important biodiversity, serving as nursery grounds for fisheries and enhancing fish stocks, protecting habitats that buffer the impacts of storms and waves, and removing excess nutrients and pollutants from the water.
- They can also provide more sustainable tourism and recreational benefits, as well as enhance other non-use values such as cultural and heritage values.
Challenges
- Strategically siting MPAs so as to maximise environmental and socio-economic benefits in a cost-effective way.
- Agreeing on and implementing adequate MPA management plans.
- Putting in place robust monitoring and reporting frameworks.
- Ensuring solid compliance and enforcement mechanisms l mobilising sufficient finance to enable sustainable management.
- Embedding MPAs in an effective policy mix so as to address the multiple pressures.
Way Forward
- Develop a clear understanding of the state of and pressures on particular marine and coastal ecosystems, the likelihood that MPAs can address these, and the range of stakeholders involved.
- Clearly define the goals and objectives of the MPA, and the required level of protection to achieve these. These should be stated at an operational level, so as to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound (SMART), and accompanying indicators should be identified that will enable the eventual assessment of whether the objectives are being met.
- Estimate the expected costs and benefits of MPAs. While studies evaluating the costs and benefits of MPAs do exist, in general economic valuation is not yet widespread and is not being used to help inform the design and implementation of MPAs.
- Siting of MPAs needs to be undertaken in more strategic manner, to enhance the environmental as well as cost-effectiveness of MPAs. Software tools such as Marxan and MarZone which aid systematic reserve design have been used in several cases but could be adopted more widely
List of Marine Protected Areas in Peninsular India
S.No. |
State/UT |
Name of MPA |
Legal Status |
Area |
Year of Notificaion |
1 |
Andhra Pradesh |
Coringa |
Sanctuary |
235.70 |
1978 |
2 |
Andhra Pradesh |
Krishna |
Sanctuary |
194.81 |
1989 |
3 |
Andhra Pradesh |
Pulicat Lake |
Sanctuary |
600.00 |
1980 |
4 |
Daman & Diu |
Fudam |
Sanctuary |
2.18 |
1991 |
5 |
Goa |
Chorao Island |
Sanctuary |
1.78 |
1988 |
6 |
Gujarat |
Marine (Gulf of Kachchh) |
National Park |
162.89 |
1995 |
7 |
Gujarat |
Marine (Gulf of Kachchh) |
Sanctuary |
295.03 |
1980 |
8 |
Gujarat |
Khijadia |
Sanctuary |
6.05 |
1981 |
9 |
Kerala |
Kadalundi Vallikkunnu |
Community Reserve |
1.50 |
2007 |
10 |
Maharashtra |
Malvan Marine |
Sanctuary |
29.12 |
1987 |
11 |
Maharashtra |
Thane Creek Flamingo |
Sanctuary |
16.905 |
2015 |
12 |
Odisha |
Bhitarkanika |
National Park |
145.00 |
1998 |
13 |
Odisha |
Bhitarkanika |
Sanctuary |
525.00 |
1975 |
14 |
Odisha |
Chilka (Nalaban) |
Sanctuary |
15.53 |
1987 |
15 |
Odisha |
Gahirmatha |
Sanctuary |
1435.00 |
1997 |
16 |
Odisha |
Balukhand Konark |
Sanctuary |
71.72 |
1984 |
17 |
Tamil Nadu |
Gulf of Mannar Marine |
National Park |
526.02 |
1980 |
18 |
Tamil Nadu |
Point Calimere |
Sanctuary |
17.26 |
1967 |
19 |
Tamil Nadu |
Pulicat Lake |
Sanctuary |
153.67 |
1980 |
20 |
Tamil Nadu |
Pulicat Lake Block-A & Block-B |
Sanctuary |
124.0727 |
2013 |
21 |
West Bengal |
Sundarbans |
National Park |
1330.10 |
1984 |
22 |
West Bengal |
West Sundarbans |
Sanctuary |
556.45 |
2013 |
23 |
West Bengal |
Haliday Island |
Sanctuary |
5.95 |
1976 |
24 |
West Bengal |
Sajnakhali |
Sanctuary |
362.40 |
1976 |
25 |
West Bengal |
Lothian Island |
Sanctuary |
38.00 |
1976 |
Total Area |
6852.14 |
|
List of Marine Protected Areas in Islands of India
S.No. |
Name of MPA |
Legal Status |
Area of MPA |
Year of Notification |
Andaman & Nicobars Islands |
||||
1 |
Campbell Bay |
National Park |
426.23 |
1992 |
2 |
Galathea Bay |
National Park |
110.00 |
1992 |
3 |
Mahatama Gandhi Marine (Wandoor) |
National Park |
281.50 |
1983 |
4 |
Mount Harriett |
National Park |
46.62 |
1987 |
5 |
Rani Jhansi Marine |
National Park |
320.06 |
1996 |
6 |
Saddle Peak |
National Park |
32.54 |
1987 |
7 |
Arial Island |
Sanctuary |
0.05 |
1987 |
8 |
Bamboo Island |
Sanctuary |
0.05 |
1987 |
9 |
Barren Island |
Sanctuary |
8.10 |
1987 |
10 |
Battimalv Island |
Sanctuary |
2.23 |
1987 |
11 |
Belle Island |
Sanctuary |
0.08 |
1987 |
12 |
Benett Island |
Sanctuary |
3.46 |
1987 |
13 |
Bingham Island |
Sanctuary |
0.08 |
1987 |
14 |
Blister Island |
Sanctuary |
0.26 |
1987 |
15 |
Bluff Island |
Sanctuary |
1.14 |
1987 |
16 |
Bondoville Island |
Sanctuary |
2.55 |
1987 |
17 |
Brush Island |
Sanctuary |
0.23 |
1987 |
18 |
Buchanan Island |
Sanctuary |
9.33 |
1987 |
19 |
Chanel Island |
Sanctuary |
0.13 |
1987 |
20 |
Cinque Islands |
Sanctuary |
9.51 |
1987 |
21 |
Clyde Island |
Sanctuary |
0.54 |
1987 |
22 |
Cone Island |
Sanctuary |
0.65 |
1987 |
23 |
Curlew (B.P.) Island |
Sanctuary |
0.16 |
1987 |
24 |
Curlew Island |
Sanctuary |
0.03 |
1987 |
25 |
Cuthbert Bay |
Sanctuary |
5.82 |
1997 |
26 |
Defence Island |
Sanctuary |
10.49 |
1987 |
27 |
Dot Island |
Sanctuary |
0.13 |
1987 |
28 |
Dottrell Island |
Sanctuary |
0.13 |
1987 |
29 |
Duncan Island |
Sanctuary |
0.73 |
1987 |
30 |
East Island |
Sanctuary |
6.11 |
1987 |
31 |
East of Inglis Island |
Sanctuary |
3.55 |
1987 |
32 |
Egg Island |
Sanctuary |
0.05 |
1987 |
33 |
Elat Island |
Sanctuary |
9.36 |
1987 |
34 |
Entrance Island |
Sanctuary |
0.96 |
1987 |
35 |
Gander Island |
Sanctuary |
0.05 |
1987 |
36 |
Girjan Island |
Sanctuary |
0.16 |
1987 |
37 |
Goose Island |
Sanctuary |
0.01 |
1987 |
38 |
Hump Island |
Sanctuary |
0.47 |
1987 |
39 |
Interview Island |
Sanctuary |
133.87 |
1987 |
40 |
James Island |
Sanctuary |
2.10 |
1987 |
41 |
Jungle Island |
Sanctuary |
0.52 |
1987 |
42 |
Kwangtung Island |
Sanctuary |
0.57 |
1987 |
43 |
Kyd Island |
Sanctuary |
8.00 |
1987 |
44 |
Landfall Island |
Sanctuary |
29.48 |
1987 |
45 |
Latouche Island |
Sanctuary |
0.96 |
1987 |
46 |
Lohabarrack (Saltwater Crocodile) |
Sanctuary |
22.21 |
1987 |
47 |
Mangrove Island |
Sanctuary |
0.39 |
1987 |
48 |
Mask Island |
Sanctuary |
0.78 |
1987 |
49 |
Mayo Island |
Sanctuary |
0.10 |
1987 |
50 |
Montogemery Island |
Sanctuary |
0.21 |
1987 |
51 |
Narcondam Island |
Sanctuary |
6.81 |
1987 |
52 |
North Brother Island |
Sanctuary |
0.75 |
1987 |
53 |
North Island |
Sanctuary |
0.49 |
1987 |
54 |
North Reef Island |
Sanctuary |
3.48 |
1987 |
55 |
Oliver Island |
Sanctuary |
0.16 |
1987 |
56 |
Orchid Island |
Sanctuary |
0.10 |
1987 |
57 |
Ox Island |
Sanctuary |
0.13 |
1987 |
58 |
Oyster Island-I |
Sanctuary |
0.08 |
1987 |
59 |
Oyster Island-II |
Sanctuary |
0.21 |
1987 |
60 |
Paget Island |
Sanctuary |
7.36 |
1987 |
61 |
Parkinson Island |
Sanctuary |
0.34 |
1987 |
62 |
Passage Island |
Sanctuary |
0.62 |
1987 |
63 |
Patric Island |
Sanctuary |
0.13 |
1987 |
64 |
Peacock Island |
Sanctuary |
0.62 |
1987 |
65 |
Pitman Island |
Sanctuary |
1.37 |
1987 |
66 |
Point Island |
Sanctuary |
3.07 |
1987 |
67 |
Potanma Islands |
Sanctuary |
0.16 |
1987 |
68 |
Ranger Island |
Sanctuary |
4.26 |
1987 |
69 |
Reef Island |
Sanctuary |
1.74 |
1987 |
70 |
Roper Island |
Sanctuary |
1.46 |
1987 |
71 |
Ross Island |
Sanctuary |
1.01 |
1987 |
72 |
Rowe Island |
Sanctuary |
0.01 |
1987 |
73 |
Sandy Island |
Sanctuary |
1.58 |
1987 |
74 |
Sea Serpent Island |
Sanctuary |
0.78 |
1987 |
75 |
Shark Island |
Sanctuary |
0.60 |
1987 |
76 |
Shearme Island |
Sanctuary |
7.85 |
1987 |
77 |
Sir Hugh Rose Island |
Sanctuary |
1.06 |
1987 |
78 |
Sisters Island |
Sanctuary |
0.36 |
1987 |
79 |
Snake Island-I |
Sanctuary |
0.73 |
1987 |
80 |
Snake Island-II |
Sanctuary |
0.03 |
1987 |
81 |
South Brother Island |
Sanctuary |
1.24 |
1987 |
82 |
South Reef Island |
Sanctuary |
1.17 |
1987 |
83 |
South Sentinel Island |
Sanctuary |
1.61 |
1987 |
84 |
Spike Island-I |
Sanctuary |
0.42 |
1987 |
85 |
Spike Island-II |
Sanctuary |
11.70 |
1987 |
86 |
Stoat Island |
Sanctuary |
0.44 |
1987 |
87 |
Surat Island |
Sanctuary |
0.31 |
1987 |
88 |
Swamp Island |
Sanctuary |
4.09 |
1987 |
89 |
Table (Delgarno) Island |
Sanctuary |
2.29 |
1987 |
90 |
Table (Excelsior) Island |
Sanctuary |
1.69 |
1987 |
91 |
Talabaicha Island |
Sanctuary |
3.21 |
1987 |
92 |
Temple Island |
Sanctuary |
1.04 |
1987 |
93 |
Tillongchang Island |
Sanctuary |
16.83 |
1985 |
94 |
Tree Island |
Sanctuary |
0.03 |
1987 |
95 |
Trilby Island |
Sanctuary |
0.96 |
1987 |
96 |
Tuft Island |
Sanctuary |
0.29 |
1987 |
97 |
Turtle Islands |
Sanctuary |
0.39 |
1987 |
98 |
West Island |
Sanctuary |
6.40 |
1987 |
99 |
Wharf Island |
Sanctuary |
0.11 |
1987 |
100 |
White Cliff Island |
Sanctuary |
0.47 |
1987 |
Total Area |
1594.78 |
|
||
Lakshadweep |
||||
1 |
Pitti |
Sanctuary |
0.01 |
2002 |
2 |
A. Attakoya Thangal Marine |
Conservation Reserve |
40.00 |
2019 |
3 |
Dr. K.K. Mohammed Koya Sea Cucumber |
Conservation Reserve |
172.59 |
2019 |
4 |
P.M. Sayeed Marine Birds |
Conservation Reserve |
57.46 |
2019 |
Total Area |
270.06 |
|
||
Grand Total Area |
1864.84 |
|
PRACTICE QUESTION Q) The total ecosystem service benefits of achieving 10% coverage of MPAs have been estimated at USD 622-923 billion over the period 2015-2050. Discuss. (150 words) |