Ecolabel certification in multi-zone marine protected areas can incentivize sustainable fishing practices and offset the costs of fishing effort displacement

As area-based marine conservation coverage expands to meet global targets, tension with fishing activities increases. While fully protected areas (FPAs) provide the largest range of long-term social-ecological benefits, their establishment has been constrained by difficulties arising from short-term costs protection, and associated limitations in economic incentives resources required for effective implementation. Building on an existing bio-economic model self-financed FPAs, we examine operational feasibility establishing ecolabel approach balance endured fishers when implementing FPA. Optimal increased profits can be achieved designating ecolabelled self-funded managed-fishing area 20–25% Multi-zone MPAs a price premium derived catch certification inside partially surrounding FPAs help engage into adopting sustainable practices. Here pave way more innovative approaches towards transformative changes fisheries sustainability.