Participants in the game were put in the shoes of Marine Protected Area (MPA) managers to explore the environmental, social, economic, multi-use, and policy challenges that MPAs might face.
The responsibilities entrusted to MPA managers – ranging from navigating conflicting stakeholder interests to securing adequate resources for monitoring and enforcement – are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of MPAs.
To provide insight into the complexities of MPA management, Mission Ocean and Waters projects BLUE4ALL and ULTFARMS, along with the Horizon Europe-funded MSP4BIO, organised the roleplaying game "Become an MPA Manager for a Day!" at the 2024 UN Ocean Decade Conference’s satellite event, the Marine Protected Areas Forum, held in Barcelona in April 2024.
Participants were introduced to a fictional MPA facing illegal clam harvesting by traditional fishers, worsening ecological concerns due to an invasive species, with potential developers' interest in the region further complicating conservation efforts.
During the game, participants took on the roles of various stakeholder groups, such as fishers, authorities, investors, scientists, local community members, MPA managers, and Marine Spatial Planners. They were then divided into groups to devise sustainable solutions that would protect the MPA's biodiversity while also addressing the socio-economic needs of local communities.
The solution voted best by the audience proposed establishing a collaborative stakeholder board to co-create solutions that respect cultural values and secure funding for ecological assessments and data collection.
The game provided invaluable insights into the complex dynamics that influence marine conservation efforts. It underscored the importance of balancing conservation, regulatory enforcement, community engagement, and economic development to ensure the long-term health and resilience of MPAs and their ecosystems.
Read the full event report here for all proposed solutions and details on the winning plan.