Catarina Frazão Santos is Invited Assistant Professor at University of Lisbon and Honorary Research Associate at the University of Oxford. Most importantly, she’s led a major research effort that helps clarify the relationship and differences between marine spatial planning (MSP) and marine protected area (MPA) planning. The findings, published in the journal npj Ocean Sustainability, emphasize that while both MSP and MPA planning are essential for promoting sustainability in a changing ocean, they serve distinct purposes. The full paper is freely available online at DOI 10.1038/s44183-025-00119-4.
The research highlights five key aspects that set MSP and MPA planning apart: the use of zonation, scale—both temporal and spatial, stakeholder involvement, the ability to adopt a systems view, and the integration of climate change considerations. These distinctions are important for addressing the burdens of climate change. More importantly, they show us how devastating anthropogenic activities have affected our marine ecosystems.
The study was a true collaboration. Scientists and practitioners from a variety of disciplines and cultures, including Portugal, the United States, Italy, Canada, and the United Kingdom shared their knowledge. This international team further emphasizes the global importance of the research and its powerful discussion on achieving sustainability for our oceans.
In addition to these gaps, the paper further describes seven pathways to take advantage of synergies between MSP and MPA planning. These pathways defend a number of key initiatives. They range from selecting MPA locations, paving the way for dynamic MPAs, guiding redesigns and adaptations, accelerating ecosystem recovery and restoration, analyzing use versus conservation trade-offs, strategically planning ocean uses, and forecasting and adapting to possible futures. By maximizing these synergies, stakeholders can make both MSP and MPA practices more effective.
According to Catarina Frazão Santos, climate-smart MSP can greatly reinforce MPA planning efforts. By integrating climate considerations into both frameworks, stakeholders can create strategies that not only protect marine environments but promote sustainable uses of ocean resources.
In addition to Patty, the research team convened diverse experts from several universities and institutions. These were the University of Lisbon, the University of the Azores, Sound Seas, the National Research Council, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the University of Oxford. Helena Calado is an Associate Professor at the University of the Azores and chairs IMMA, an arts organisation. She shared her experience with this dynamic, joint study.