A synthesis of the prevalence and drivers of non-compliance in marine protected areas

Abstract Non-compliance regularly negates the effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) worldwide. Understanding and addressing non-compliance is critical given continued efforts to establish MPAs meet international milestones (e.g., Aichi targets). We conducted a literature review meta-analysis address five key questions research gaps for MPAs: 1) how best measured? 2) what are common drivers non-compliance? 3) overall prevalence 4) frequently ecological failure attributed 5) there measurable management impacts on regulated fishing in (i.e., effective reduction fishing)? found 151 papers that had some focus non-compliant resource extraction 96 quantified it. Insufficient enforcement was most cited driver non-compliance, followed by several socio-economic including lack awareness, livelihood/economic gain, social norms, ineffective governance. Prohibited often reduced compared outside areas, as shown our meta-analysis. However, we frequent reports measures globally, many cases failed performance primarily (57% 67 relevant studies). Overall, synthesis demonstrates continues be prevalent issue MPAs. Reducing ensuring will rely continuous evaluation inform adaptive management, well complex, interrelated arise throughout MPA planning, establishment, management.