The next ten steps for integrating Marine Functional Connectivity (MFC) into policy, planning, and management

Given the complex nature of Marine Functional Connectivity (MFC) science, MFC experts sit in a unique position to lead discussions on strategies for ocean planning and management that would turn “paper parks” into effective conservation areas. This includes addressing the cumulative pressures from human activities, and the next steps to be taken by planners, managers, and policymakers to ensure efficient marine conservation. This study presents expert-recommended actions for effectively incorporating MFC into marine policy and planning. It follows multiple calls to assess MFC influence on meeting global 2030 marine conservation goals. A total of 99 MFC experts participated in the study, all members of the 2022-2024 COST Action “Unifying Approaches to Marine Connectivity for Improved Resource Management for the Seas”. These experts suggested and ranked the ten emerging action categories presented here as priorities, or ‘Ten Next Steps', for supporting MFC data collection and its integration into current conservation and sustainable development efforts. The results support the following for effective marine conservation planning and management: 1. Connecting MFC efforts to existing conservation efforts; 2. More collaborative and accessible science-stakeholder platforms; 4. Encouraging interdisciplinary approaches and training; and 5. “translating” complex MFC data into accessible MFC-informed maps, reports, and methods, including operational frameworks and indicators.