Public support for establishing marine protected areas: an Italian case study

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are management tools aimed at protecting and restoring marine ecosystems and promoting the sustainability of social-ecological systems. Their success, however, depends on stakeholders’ relationships with marine resources and on the quality of the governance processes through which MPAs are designed, calling for research on stakeholders’ perceptions of MPAs long before they are established. This study focused on assessing support for MPAs among the general public, which constitutes one critical stakeholder group. The case study selected was the Conero Promontory Coast (CPC), Italy, which is an area of interest to become an MPA. In 2024, a questionnaire was distributed to 262 members of the public to investigate their environmental perceptions and general attitudes towards MPAs, including support for the establishment of the CPC MPA. The participants were concerned about local and global marine environmental issues and held positive views of MPAs prioritising conservation and education, but also appreciated the potential of MPAs to find a balance between protection and use. They ultimately supported the establishment of an MPA at the study location. Attitudes towards MPAs were influenced by environmental perceptions, views on management priorities, and perceptions of the objectives of MPAs. While acknowledging its limitations, especially the involvement of only one part of the larger pool of stakeholders normally affected by MPAs, this study still offered recommendations regarding the engagement of the public in discourses around MPAs. In particular, it demonstrated how public participation can provide insight into MPA planning, including strategies to design and implement successful MPAs through participatory governance.