What does this research mean for the field?

Marine protected areas (MPAs) in high-income countries are associated with lower overexploited fish stocks, while in low-income countries, they often have negligible impact due to governance issues. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to understand how marine protected areas relate to overexploited fish stocks and the role of governance and funding in these contexts.

February 22, 2026Environment and Development Economics0 citationsOpen Access

Marine protected areas and global marine sustainability: an empirical study using the Pressure–State–Response framework

DKDae Eui Kim SLSong Soo Lim

Key Points

This study aims to understand how marine protected areas relate to overexploited fish stocks and the role of governance and funding in these contexts.
Analyzed panel dataset from 1995 to 2021
Employed Pressure–State–Response framework
Examined relationship between MPA coverage and fish stock outcomes
Considered effects of Official Development Assistance
MPAs in high-income countries linked to lower overexploited catch rates
Limited capacity in low-income countries connected to ineffective 'paper parks'
Multi-purpose ODA more effective than single-purpose ODA for conservation
Integrating MPAs with fisheries management leads to better effectiveness

Abstract

Abstract Marine protected areas (MPAs) have proliferated to protect marine ecosystems and manage unsustainable fishing, but their outcomes vary by economic and governance contexts. Drawing on a panel dataset spanning 1995–2021 and employing the Pressure–State–Response framework, this study analyses how MPA coverage is associated with overexploited fish stocks and examines Official Development Assistance (ODA). Results show MPAs in high-income countries are associated with lower overexploited catch rates, reflecting robust governance. In low-income nations, however, limited capacity is often linked to ‘paper parks’ with negligible impact. Multi-purpose ODA – supporting sustainability goals – appears more effective than single-purpose ODA and is associated with better conservation outcomes. Integrating MPAs with fisheries management, supported by international assistance for enforcement, appears important for bridging disparities in effectiveness. By highlighting the interplay among economic conditions, governance and funding, this study offers higher-level insights into factors that shape MPA effectiveness, contributing to broader policy discussions on marine conservation.

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