Presentation
A critical factor to ensure the success of future High Seas Marine Protected Areas (HSMPAs) is the development of a tailored compliance and enforcement strategy addressing the specific policy, institutional and stakeholder behavioural characteristics of each site, through targeted measures and tools. Among the tools that should be considered are those related to the monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) of human activities, particularly those stemming from emerging technologies (e.g. digital surveillance tools, satellite-based systems, big data analytics, artificial intelligence). This Study aims to serve as a practical guide for States and stakeholders championing high seas MPAs, helping them integrate these MCS tools into their proposals.
Key Messages
- Proponents of HSMPA proposals should develop and integrate a compliance strategy into their submission, incorporating relevant MCS tools and leveraging opportunities provided by emerging technologies. To implement such tools, a step-by-step approach can be followed, including: (i) conducting a stocktake of MCS capacities; (ii) identifying tools that align with site-specific needs; (iii) exploring the use of specialized MCS services; and (iv) defining complementary targeted measures.
- In many cases, initiatives may build on, and adapt if necessary, existing MCS tools and services already implemented by sectoral/regional organizations or individual States. In other cases, an MCS system will need to be developed from the ground up.
- Private companies and non-profit organizations offer the deployment and operation of specialized services tailored to specific contexts, which aim to integrate various data sources from technological tools and apply them to the management of maritime areas. Proponents of HSMPAs may consider using such services, while anticipating that the associated establishment and management costs will widely depend on the tools, services and management measures already in place.
- Supporting policy and technical measures—such as addressing capacity gaps, fostering cooperation for maritime patrols, strengthening port State controls, reforming national judicial systems, and ensuring effective information sharing—may be necessary to operationalize technology and ensure the effective management of future HSMPAs.
