Evaluation of Spatially Managed Areas: do it yourself

Abstract: 

The MESMA Central Exchange application provides a framework to evaluate and monitor the management of spatially managed marine areas. Users can explore the analysis methods on the MESMA website. In addition, a number of tools, and a geodatabase with example datasets are available.

Year: 
23.10.2013
Application in MSP: 
Taken into account in an MSP process
Sectors: 
Not sector specific
Type of Issue: 
Coexistence of uses
Cross-border cooperation
Ecosystem-based approach
Type of practice: 
Tools
Stage of MSP cycle: 
Vision and aims
Stocktake
Analyse spatial aspects
Cross-border / trans-national aspect: 
Yes

Questions this practice may help answer

  • What online tool can I use to evaluate and monitor the management of spatially managed marine areas?
  • What are the results of the MESMA project?

Implementation Context

The MESMA project developed a framework to evaluate and monitor the management of spatially managed marine areas. If interested people want to know if the management of a certain marine area is effective, they can use the MESMA method to evaluate this. The framework has been tested successfully in a number of case studies. The Central Exchange application shows the projects results and provide assistance in using the MESMA method.

Aspects / Objectives

Develop a tool, which makes it possible for interested parties to discover the MESMA project results, and to use the MESMA develop framework.

Method

Collect relevant data and develop an online tool to be used by interested parties.

Main Outputs / Results

The MESMA Central Exchange application provides a framework to evaluate and monitor the management of spatially managed marine areas. Users can explore the analysis methods on the MESMA website. In addition, a number of tools, and a geodatabase with example datasets are available.

Transferability

  • The MESMA framework is developed independent of the geographical location and can be applied to in other areas.
  • The development of the online tool can be of an inspiration for other projects to disseminate their project findings.

Costs / Funding Source

This practice was elaborated under the MESMA project, co financed by the European 7th Framework Programme for Research. Direct costs of its elaboration are unknown.

Responsible Entity

University of Wageningen, The Netherlands

Contact Person

Oscar Bos

oscar.bos@wur.nl