The UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive have identified the Marine Protected Area (MPA) network as a key tool for achieving domestic and international targets and commitments. However, while the MPA networks in England and Northern Ireland are well established, and continue to expand, there are questions over how effectively they are being managed and monitored.
Howell Marine Consulting (HMC) were commissioned by the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) to conduct an evaluation of the status of the MPA network in England and Northern Ireland. The project looked at how the network is managed, monitored, and to what extent they contribute towards key statutory targets and commitments, through an extensive literature review, and interviews and a workshop with key stakeholders. This project builds on our foundational work under the OEP’s marine programme, including the call for evidence on Good Environmental Status.
This report was compiled by HMC on behalf of the OEP. The views expressed in this report are those of HMC.