To what extent does governance play a role in how effectively a marine protected area in the Irish Sea reaches its biological and socioeconomic goals?
Lead Research Organisation:
King's College London
Department Name: Geography
Abstract
Marine life is facing increasingly serious threats due to
human activity . Greenhouse gases
released from the burning of fossil fuels have accelerated
global warming at an unprecedented rate, increasing ocean
temperatures and acidity with devastating consequences,
such as biodiversity loss . Human activity has also
directly affected marine life through overfishing, coastal
pollution, the introduction of invasive alien species, and
habitat destruction, with estimates that over 60% of global
fishery stocks have already collapsed or are overexploited,
with an additional one-third being fully exploited. A wide
array of methods is currently applied to adequately manage
and protect marine resources, such as ocean zoning,
regulating the harvest of species, enforcing catch limits, and
establishing marine protected areas (Levine et al., 2015).
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are designed for the
conservation of marine life in the face of exploitation and
other threats related to human activity, however they are
increasingly used for multiple goals, such as sustainable
fisheries and economic development (Christie & Pollnac,
2011). The most effective way to manage an MPA is widely
debated, with some experts calling for ecosystem-based
management for multiple species in favour of the traditional
single-species fisheries management approach. There is no
single definition of an MPA and the role of each one depends
on its specific objectives. MPAs should meet both biophysical
and socioeconomic needs (Pomeroy et al., 2005); in other
words, they must ensure long-term conservation of species
and habitats while also considering ecological, political,
economic, and social outcomes. While most studies consider
either the biological or the socioeconomic success of marine
protected areas, an increasing number of studies take a
more holistic approach to success, accounting for both
biological and socioeconomic outcomes in their assessments
. However, there is a clear gap in the literature relating to what kinds of
governance arrangements lead to better biological and
socioeconomic outcomes.
This doctoral thesis will focus on the Irish Sea because it is a
busy waterway and a strategic geopolitical location. As there
is no tunnel linking the islands of Great Britain and Ireland,
much of the exchange of goods and people is done via boat
across the Irish Sea. It is under the jurisdiction of six entities
(Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man,
Scotland, England, and Wales). While they are currently
members of the EU (save for the Isle of Man), and are thus
subjected to EU directives, such as the Marine Strategic
Framework Directive (MSFD) and the Birds & Habitats
directives, they each have their own national organisations
overseeing the implementation and management of marine
protected areas.
This research study aims to understand to what extent
governance plays a role in how effectively a marine protected
area in the Irish Sea reaches its biological and
socioeconomic goals. In other words, does the type of
governance influence or determine whether or not an MPA is
successful? There is a lack of research on MPAs in the Irish
Sea, in spite of almost 200 designations across 95 sites
(WDPA, 2019). To explore the state of MPAs in the Irish Sea,
this research study will analyse the governance regimes of
several case study MPAs and compare their effectiveness in
terms of reported biophysical and socioeconomic outcomes.
It will also identify any any data gaps in assessment reports. By
surveying and interviewing members of the local
communities, I will also be able to show how costal residents
view MPAs, their uses and impacts. Ultimately, I hope to give
MPA managers, policy-makers, scientists, researchers, and
other stakeholders evidence on which to base more effective
governance of their MPAs.
human activity . Greenhouse gases
released from the burning of fossil fuels have accelerated
global warming at an unprecedented rate, increasing ocean
temperatures and acidity with devastating consequences,
such as biodiversity loss . Human activity has also
directly affected marine life through overfishing, coastal
pollution, the introduction of invasive alien species, and
habitat destruction, with estimates that over 60% of global
fishery stocks have already collapsed or are overexploited,
with an additional one-third being fully exploited. A wide
array of methods is currently applied to adequately manage
and protect marine resources, such as ocean zoning,
regulating the harvest of species, enforcing catch limits, and
establishing marine protected areas (Levine et al., 2015).
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are designed for the
conservation of marine life in the face of exploitation and
other threats related to human activity, however they are
increasingly used for multiple goals, such as sustainable
fisheries and economic development (Christie & Pollnac,
2011). The most effective way to manage an MPA is widely
debated, with some experts calling for ecosystem-based
management for multiple species in favour of the traditional
single-species fisheries management approach. There is no
single definition of an MPA and the role of each one depends
on its specific objectives. MPAs should meet both biophysical
and socioeconomic needs (Pomeroy et al., 2005); in other
words, they must ensure long-term conservation of species
and habitats while also considering ecological, political,
economic, and social outcomes. While most studies consider
either the biological or the socioeconomic success of marine
protected areas, an increasing number of studies take a
more holistic approach to success, accounting for both
biological and socioeconomic outcomes in their assessments
. However, there is a clear gap in the literature relating to what kinds of
governance arrangements lead to better biological and
socioeconomic outcomes.
This doctoral thesis will focus on the Irish Sea because it is a
busy waterway and a strategic geopolitical location. As there
is no tunnel linking the islands of Great Britain and Ireland,
much of the exchange of goods and people is done via boat
across the Irish Sea. It is under the jurisdiction of six entities
(Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man,
Scotland, England, and Wales). While they are currently
members of the EU (save for the Isle of Man), and are thus
subjected to EU directives, such as the Marine Strategic
Framework Directive (MSFD) and the Birds & Habitats
directives, they each have their own national organisations
overseeing the implementation and management of marine
protected areas.
This research study aims to understand to what extent
governance plays a role in how effectively a marine protected
area in the Irish Sea reaches its biological and
socioeconomic goals. In other words, does the type of
governance influence or determine whether or not an MPA is
successful? There is a lack of research on MPAs in the Irish
Sea, in spite of almost 200 designations across 95 sites
(WDPA, 2019). To explore the state of MPAs in the Irish Sea,
this research study will analyse the governance regimes of
several case study MPAs and compare their effectiveness in
terms of reported biophysical and socioeconomic outcomes.
It will also identify any any data gaps in assessment reports. By
surveying and interviewing members of the local
communities, I will also be able to show how costal residents
view MPAs, their uses and impacts. Ultimately, I hope to give
MPA managers, policy-makers, scientists, researchers, and
other stakeholders evidence on which to base more effective
governance of their MPAs.
People |
ORCID iD |
Kathrin Schreckenberg (Primary Supervisor) | |
Constance Schere (Student) |
Publications
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Schéré C
(2021)
It's Just Conservation: To What Extent Are Marine Protected Areas in the Irish Sea Equitably Governed and Managed?
in Frontiers in Marine Science
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Schéré C
(2020)
Multiple conservation designations: what impact on the effectiveness of marine protected areas in the Irish Sea?
in International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Schéré C
(2023)
Examining stakeholder involvement in the context of top-down marine protected area governance: The case of the Sept-Îles National Nature Reserve (Brittany, France)
in Regional Studies in Marine Science
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ES/P000703/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
2287487 | Studentship | ES/P000703/1 | 01/10/2019 | 04/11/2022 | Constance Schere |
Description | The key findings of this award (thus far) show that the Irish Sea has many paper parks - protected areas that exist only on paper and are not managed, monitored, nor enforced. In addition, the local populations are largely unaware of the existence of MPAs near them and those who are aware tend to be ignored by MPA managers when it comes to reporting threats to marine life and habitats. Marine conservation in the UK and Ireland is underfunded, which results in unfavourable conditions for key species and habitats. Lack of awareness, funding, and manpower - coupled with pollution and climate change - are responsible for the current state of Irish Sea MPAs. |
Exploitation Route | The outcome of this doctoral work hopes to give MPA managers, policy makers, scientists, and other stakeholders evidence on which to base more effective management of MPAs. |
Sectors | Environment |
Description | It is currently too early to tell, but UK and Irish governments are aware of the outputs of this doctoral work. The Strangford Lough & Lecale Partnership (advisory board for Strangford Lough) have stated that data from this research will be incorporated in the development of the newest management plan for their marine protected area. |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | Co-Author on the British Ecological Society's UK 30x30 Report |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or Improved professional practice |
Impact | This report is designed for UK policymakers to inform the UK government on the current state of protected areas and whether or not they are fit for purpose to deliver for nature and allow the UK to reach its 30x30 target. The report is currently under review and should be published this spring (2022). |
URL | https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/policy/call-for-expertise-30-protected-areas-by-2030/ |
Description | Research added to EU Marine Spatial Planning Platform |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
URL | https://maritime-spatial-planning.ec.europa.eu/practices/multiple-conservation-designations-what-imp... |
Description | Research cited in 6th IPCC Report (Working Group II) |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
URL | https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6wg2/pdf/IPCC_AR6_WGII_FinalDraft_FullReport.pdf |
Description | British Ecological Society |
Organisation | British Ecological Society |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Co-authored the policy brief report 'Protected Areas and Nature Recovery: Achieving the goal to protect 30% of UK land and seas for nature by 2030' with the British Ecological Society. I co-authored two chapters. |
Collaborator Contribution | The report was a collaborative effort by scientists across various institutions in the UK and was overseen by the British Ecological Society. |
Impact | Bailey J.J., Cunningham, C.A., Griffin, D.C., Hoppit, G., Metcalfe, C.A., Schéré, C.M., Travers, T.J.P., Turner, R.K., Hill J.K., Sinnadurai, P., Stafford R., Allen D., Isaac N., Ross B., Russi D., Chamberlain B., Harvey Sky N., McKain S. (2022). Protected Areas and Nature Recovery. Achieving the goal to protect 30% of UK land and seas for nature by 2030. London, UK. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | International Institute for Environment and Development |
Organisation | International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | I collaborated with the IIED on the development of their Site-Level Assessment for Governance and Equity (SAGE) toolkit, which I applied to three case study sites within my doctoral study area. |
Collaborator Contribution | The IIED developed this tool and needed it piloted. |
Impact | Schéré, C.M., Schreckenberg, K., Dawson, T.P., and Jones, N. (2021) It's just conservation: to what extent are marine protected areas in the Irish Sea equitably governed and managed? Frontiers in Marine Science. pp. 1-17. DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2021.668919 |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | 6th International Marine Conservation Congress |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presented at the IMCC conference: "To what extent are marine protected areas in the Irish Sea equitably governed and managed? A case study approach." Talk. SSO-19 Meeting climate objectives through coastal wetland conservation. Session Host. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presented at the BES conference: "Multiple conservation designations: what impact on the effectiveness of marine protected areas in the Irish Sea?" Poster & Lightning Talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2020 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presented at the BES conference: "To what extent are marine protected areas in the Irish Sea equitably governed and managed? A case study approach." Poster & Lightning Talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presented at the BES conference: "Un-muddying the waters: Assessing intertidal mudflats conditions in Irish Sea marine protected areas to inform management strategies." Poster. "How to engage with policy: the experience of ECRs." Workshop Presenter. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | I presented an online poster and gave a lightning talk: "Un-muddying the waters: Using benthic and shorebird population data to assess intertidal mudflat conditions in Irish Sea marine protected areas and inform management strategies." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/ |
Description | ESRC Festival of Social Science: Are protected areas the future of conservation? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Presented at King's College London as part of the ESRC Festival: "Irish Sea Marine Protected Areas: An overview of marine conservation in the UK & Ireland." Talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Estuarine & Coastal Sciences Association Conference 58 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presented at the ECSA conference: "Un-muddying the waters: Assessing intertidal mudflats conditions in Irish Sea marine protected areas to inform management strategies." Poster. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Irish Ecological Association Conference 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presented at the IEA conference: "To what extent are marine protected areas in the Irish Sea equitably governed and managed? A case study approach." Talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Irish Ecological Association Conference 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | I presented a poster and lightning talk entitled: "Un-muddying the waters: Using benthic and shorebird population data to assess intertidal mudflat conditions in Irish Sea marine protected areas and inform management strategies." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.irishecologicalassociation.org/ |
Description | Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland 10th Annual Science Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presented at the MASTS conference: "To what extent are marine protected areas in the Irish Sea equitably governed and managed? A case study approach." ePoster. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Pint of Science 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I presented a talk entitled "'Is this the real science? Is it it just fanta-sea?' An overview of marine protected areas" at the 10th Pint of Science global science festival in London. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.pintofscience.com/ |
Description | ProtectedSeas Video |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | I was featured on the ProtectedSeas video about how I used their Navigator tool in my research. This was presented at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcQdzMVW42Q&ab_channel=ProtectedSeasNavigator |
Description | SRUK/CERU Webinar: Ocean Science for Sustainable Development |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presented a webinar for the Spanish Researchers in the UK society: "Irish Sea Marine Protected Areas: An overview of marine conservation in the UK & Ireland." Talk. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist Podcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I was interviewed on a podcast about my research. Episode title: "Constance Schéré: MPAs, Fake-Out Seabirds, International Differences, And The Myth Of Too Late." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://marinebio.life/constance-schere-mpas-fake-out-seabirds-international-differences-and-the-myt... |
Description | The Green Blob Podcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I was interviewed about my research for a podcast. Episode title: "Talking Biodiversity with Laura Kor & Constance Schere." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cvSGJ26RSbZvkne7G9dL9?si=GGldXjlJQwO8Sj0lr8lWpQ&nd=1 |
Description | Tidelines (Issue 57, Winter 2022) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I wrote an article on my research that was published in Tidelines magazine (a magazine about the Solway Firth in Scotland and England). The article is titled "Delivering for Nature on the Solway Firth: What the UK's '30x30' means for marine conservation." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Tidelines-Winter-2022_web.pdf |
Description | WORLD: we got this Podcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I was interviewed for a podcast about my research. Episode title: "In conservation about marine conservation." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://open.spotify.com/episode/24CjvmGGZlH0sI6vR1Wc7W?si=LtigZQF3SuqfUlol6q_GWA&nd=1 |
Description | Women in Environmental Engineering & Science Podcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I was interviewed about my research for a podcast. Episode title: "Constance Schéré talks about marine protected areas, policy regarding our oceans, and citizen science." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://open.spotify.com/episode/5nWr1Eje7gxI1DGC6fGtIj |