Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are increasingly being used by governments as instruments for conservation and management of coastal and marine biodiversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has set a target of bringing at least 10 per cent of the world’s oceans under protection by 2020. The decision to increase the area under MPAs has significant implications for small-scale fishing and coastal communities, the primary traditional users of coastal and marine areas. Small-scale fishing and coastal communities, already threatened by biodiversity loss and degradation of coastal ecosystems, have been demanding effective action to protect and manage coastal and marine habitats and resources, given the close links between their livelihoods and the health of the resource base. In several parts of the world, they have been known to take the initiative, as part of traditional and more recent systems, to protect and manage their resources. This brochure is a compilation of resource materials on these issues published by ICSF over the years.
