Examples
United States of America
Background:
- A large developed country with a long coastline and high fish demand
- Fish demand is generally not for subsistence
- GDP: $13.13 trillion USD (2006 est)
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The United States has an established system of 14 National Marine Sanctuaries, covering an area of 18,000 square miles (4 million hectares). The United States also recently established the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Monument, which is currently the largest MPA in the world.
The United States has strongly established fisheries and environmental regulations, and also has national legislation that also addresses the creation of MPAs.
Problems:
1.) Cultural Issues
Fishing has been a longstanding and time-honored part of the American cultural experience. Any measure that would increase fishing restrictions in the short term would likely face significant public opposition, especially among fishermen.
2.) . Setting National Priorities
Given current affairs, environmental protection and science are not among top national priorities for either the government or the populace. This limits the funding available for scientific activities, and that available for the establishment of new MPAs.
Suggestions:
1.) Streamline the process for establishing new Marine Protected Areas
Currently, the process for new MPAs has
China
Background:
-A developing country with long coastline (18,000 km) and large fish demand.
-Freshwater resources rank 6th in the world, but the resources per capita is only one fourth of the world's average due to large population. (Chinese Information Office 1998)
-GDP: $10.17 trillion (2006 est.)
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China has established legal management system for marine resource protection. Its general principle is "conservation first, appropriate exploitation and sustainable development" (Xue 2005).
Problems:
1.) The inefficiency of the management system constrains protection.
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China's state-level distribution of marine nature reserve is extremely uneven; concentrated distribution is a very prominent phenomenon: There are seven national level marine reserves in the northeast side of the Bohai Strait; eight in the southwest of the Beibu Bay and Hainan Island; but only nine along the long coastline from Shandong to Guangdong.
Suggestions:
Based partially on a report from China's Oceanic Administration Institute of Marine Development Strategy---an official department doing research and supplying suggestions and strategies to the government
1.) Adjustment of management system of marine reserves
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