Science-Policy Interactions in MPA Site Selection in the Dutch Part of the North Sea |
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Authors: | Eline K van Haastrecht Hilde M Toonen |
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Institution: | (1) Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Kloveniersburgwal 48, Amsterdam, 1012 CX, Netherlands;(2) Environmental Policy Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Hollandseweg 1, Wageningen, 6706 KN, Netherlands |
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Abstract: | At the 7th conference of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP7, Kuala Lumpur, 2004) it was agreed
to establish a global network of marine and coastal protected areas by 2012. The defined objectives of this MPA-network are
based on the ecosystem approach: to protect biodiversity and other ecological values, and to ensure sustainable use. The (inter)national
policy guidelines state that the selection of MPAs should be based on scientific information and ecological criteria only.
As a signatory to the Convention, the Netherlands is now faced with meeting this obligation, and the process of designating
the first Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Dutch part of the North Sea is currently in progress. We focus on the science–policy
interactions that are part of this Dutch MPA selection process. By taking a closer look at the contemporary site selection
process as well as its historical background, we show that ecological, socio-economic and political considerations cannot
always be easily separated. Uncertainty is high and the ultimate selection and delimitation of candidate sites rather seems
to be the result of a balancing act between ecological, socio-economic and political interests, in which scientific and policy
guiding procedures blend with ad-hoc political decision making, and with expert judgment in cases where data is lacking. As
such, this paper presents an example of present-day environmental policy making in action. |
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