Marine protected areas: Their potential for the conservation of the franciscana

Abstract

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been considered one of the most effective instruments to protect marine biodiversity, including endangered species. However, theeffectiveness of MPAs in conserving coastal, long-living, and mobile species, such asthe franciscana, is quite challenging. In this chapter, we evaluate the existing MPAs’potential to protect the species along with its entire distribution and also present somefuture perspectives and recommendations. A total of 44 MPAs were identified, including 25 in Brazil, six in Uruguay, and 13 in Argentina. Most of the MPAs are relativelysmall (<100 km2 ) and are classified as sustainable use areas, usually without anyparticular fishery regulation or spatial zoning. Therefore, even though approximately19% of the franciscana´s distribution is legally protected by some type of MPA, thelong-term survival of the species depends on additional measures largely related to themanagement of the fisheries both inside and outside of the protected areas.