Assessing the effectiveness of Sri Lankan marine protected areas: Challenges and recommendations

Abstract We evaluated the biodiversity conservation effectiveness of 32 zones of Sri Lankan Marine Protected Areas (MPA). Seven were incompatible with biodiversity conservation, seven were protected minimally, 13 lightly, five highly, and none fully. MPAs fell into three clusters based on the threat type and scale: Cluster A (18 zones) experienced detrimental fishing; Cluster B (7 zones) primarily represented national parks with low fishing and anchoring impacts; while Cluster C (7 zones) were sanctuaries characterized by low fishing but high anchoring impacts. Management of the MPAs was impeded by a lack of transparency, communication, accountability to stakeholders, and conflict resolution mechanisms, as well as poor impact and benefit sharing, inadequate staffing and funding, and no broader seascape management. Management practice criteria divided the zones into three clusters: Cluster 1 (19 MPAs, including all national parks) showed relatively low management issues; Cluster 2 (8 MPAs, including all nature reserves) had higher rates of problems; while Cluster 3 (2 MPAs) was defined by extremely poor access to information, making accurate assessment impossible. These analyses show that many Sri Lankan MPAs represent “paper parks,” with the internal and external challenges they face varying across legal categories. Improving their conservation efficacy will require different approaches.