Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are essential for the conservation of marine habitats and biodiversity, but 69% of MPAs worldwide are partially open to some form of fishing activity, which reduces their conservation benefits. In Australia, where the second largest MPA network exists, 75% of the total MPA area is partially protected. These Partial Protected Areas offer a balance between conservation and economic/social benefits, but this balance requires careful management to avoid trade-offs that could lead to negative environmental impacts, social conflict, and inefficiencies.

NCC, together with CSIRO and Queensland University of Technology, undertook a Fisheries R&D Corporation-funded research project to assess the understanding and use of multiple values of MPAs within management decision-making. This involved a systematic review to identify the multiple values, with NCC’s focus being the multiple economic values from marine environments. This research was presented to Commonwealth and Queensland marine park managers to elicit their recognition and application of values within decision-making frameworks.