With the health of the world’s oceans threatened as never before, Management of Marine Protected Areas: A Network Perspective delves into the critical role that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) play in safeguarding marine and coastal habitats. This book draws on the findings from a major EU-sponsored research project that ran from February 2011 to January 2016, focusing on the establishment of networks of MPAs in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Featuring contributions from leading scientists affiliated with universities and national research institutes, the chapters utilize the latest data and developments in marine conservation policy.

The book explores how networks of MPAs can enhance their effectiveness and conservation benefits. It covers a wide range of topics, including the broader socio-economic impacts of MPAs in the Mediterranean and Black Seas; the application of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to balance marine resource use and protection; special protection measures under the EU’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD); ecological value assessments in the Black Sea; the Ecosystem Approach (EA) for managing marine ecosystems; MPAs along Turkey’s Black Sea coast; interactions between MPAs and offshore wind farms; and strategies for managing and monitoring MPA networks across the Black and Mediterranean Seas.

Featuring cutting-edge insights, this comprehensive resource is essential reading for researchers, policymakers, conservationists, and anyone interested in understanding the complex challenges and potential solutions facing marine biodiversity protection.