The Kathryn Fuller Science for Nature Fund

New Perspectives on MPA Performance:
Linking Knowledge to Action

On November 5, 2010 WWF convened the 5^th annual Kathryn Fuller Science for Nature Symposium. This year’s event illuminated areas of uncertainty on three major topics: 1) ecological frontiers such as spillover, connectivity, and MPAs for pelagic species; 2) social frontiers, such as the role of governance in implementation and socioeconomic impacts of MPAs; and 3) opportunities to push the MPA scientific frontier through impact evaluation and other novel research methods.

Webcast Recordings | Speaker Profiles

WWF hosted a one-day international symposium on November 5, where we reviewed knowledge of Marine Protected Areas as a foundation for both science-based policy and policy-relevant science. As the conservation community strives to ensure ecological and social effectiveness of MPAs, WWF promoted a robust discussion on what works, what doesn’t and why. We hosted leading scholars and practitioners in the field to both provide insights for conservation action and identify gaps in areas requiring further research. We delved into and illuminated areas of uncertainty on three major topics: 1) ecological frontiers such as spillover, connectivity, and MPAs for pelagic species; 2) social frontiers, such as the role of governance in implementation and socioeconomic impacts of MPAs; and 3) opportunities to push the MPA scientific frontier through impact evaluation and other novel research methods. The symposium provided state-of-the-art scientific information on a core marine conservation strategy, and resulted in follow-up papers and policy briefs summarizing key insights, knowledge gaps, and rules of thumb for moving forward despite those gaps.