CAP03: Where’s my MPA? Building awareness and ownership of marine conservation areas in the WIO

Despite significant efforts to expand marine protection in the WIO region, public awareness and accessibility to MPA and LMMA information remains low. Many communities, fisherfolk, recreational users and youth are unaware of the exact boundaries, regulations, or ecological significance of MPAs. The information gap weakens effective management, in terms of stewardship, enforcement, and compliance. This challenge identifies the need to make marine conservation areas visible and relevant to marine users’ daily lives, and to contribute to effective management. The data that is required will come ongoing research and the partners in the WIO, which referred to as the MARCOP MPA/LMMA database. The spatial database will be used by hackers to develop an app that will enhance public awareness, support behavioural change, and enable local and indigenous peoples’ involvement in monitoring and protecting MPAs. The use of the available data for the app is also aimed at demonstrating the value of spatial tools in democratizing conservation information. The mobile app and web-based dashboard should allow the app user to: 

1. Identify nearby MPAs and LMMAs using geolocation;
2. Access real-time information on permitted activities, biodiversity data, and site-specific regulations; and,
3. Engage youth and schools via a social media–friendly “Adopt-an-MPA” feature to build community ownership and awareness.

This challenge output will supports the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Target 3), the UN Ocean Decade Challenge 9 (Capacity Development), and MARCOP's goals to strengthen science-policy integration and community engagement

 

• To respond to a major social or environmental problem
• Contributing to innovation in the maritime sector
• To explore an innovative idea using marine data
• To test the feasibility of a project or idea

 

 

 

Mobile and web application that includes a data visualization and mapping component (similar to FishSmart app of the NSW government)

MPA mapping specialist, IT developer/ programmer, data analyst, geomatics engineer/ spatial analyst, communications specialist