DISEÑO DE UNA METODOLOGÍA PARA LA GESTIÓN SOSTENIBLE DE LOS RECURSOS EN ÁREAS MARINAS PROTEGIDAS

Abstract

One of the main goals of the new European Union Integrated Maritime Policy is to optimize the sustainable use of the oceans and seas. In this context, Marine Protected Areas appears as a valuable instrument to advance in spatial planning and sustainable management of marine resources, allowing a great variety of possibilities depending on conservation targets, protection degree and the different possibilities of exploitation of their resources. Within the creation process of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), this paper is focused in the design of an appropriate planning methodology that allows information about all the ecological features of marine environment as well as pressures and impacts provoked by human activities to be gathered, in order to establish an effective spatial planning and management. Thus specific goals and associated indicators must be stated, implemented through specific tools and instruments. Besides, this methodology is aimed to involve stakeholders and local administration in design and management process, especially fisheries sector, since it plays a key role in this new model of conservation and sustainable management of marine environment. Keywords: Marine Protected Area; sustainable management of resources; environmental assessment; preservation of marine resources;