Marine protected areas need accountability not wasted dollars

In this era of fiscal constraint following the globalfinancial crisis, marine protected areas (MPAs)occupy a remarkable position in the economiclandscape. Few government authorities seemconcerned about the prevalence of white elephants illusionary MPAs that carry a financial cost.Whereas no government minister would considerdeveloping a health system based solely onnumber of hospital beds (irrespective of whetherall hospitals are concentrated within a single city,or occupants of beds have access to medical staff,or patients are living or dying), MPAs are largelyassessed on a single numerical target (total area).Inconsistent self-identification adds an extra levelof opaqueness. The net consequence is anunaccountable and under-performing system, anoutcome that is both tragic and economicallywasteful.