Study presentation: Costs and benefits of spatial protection measures
27-10-2022 - 14:58
On 27 October 2022, from 9:00 to 11:00, the Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies presented a new study entitled "Costs and benefits of spatial protection measures as tools for fisheries management".
This research evaluates the costs and benefits of three types of spatial protection measures with case studies from France, Spain and Greece: (1) Fish Stock Recovery Areas (FSRAs), (2) Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and areas designated as (3) Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 sets the target for protected areas in the EU at 30% of its sea area, one third of which need to be strictly protected. Understanding the impact of spatial protection measures, therefore, is of particular interest to the EU. This study presents evidence that FSRAs, MPAs and OECMs deliver economic benefits to fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Europe. Ultimately, it provides policy recommendations relevant to EU decision-making.