Are EBSAs marine protected areas (MPAs)?
EBSAs are neither MPAs nor necessarily precursors of MPAs. They could be used in a variety of management systems, not all of them exclusively area-based. According to IUCN’s definition, a protected area is “a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values” (Dudley 2008, http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/PAPS-016.pdf) and is thus used as a tool for management purposes. EBSAs, on the other hand, are important marine areas in terms of the ecological and biological processes that take place therein, and are identified based on scientific criteria adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). They show the diversity, richness and fragility of marine ecosystems. While many EBSAs likely require enhanced protection, the management of these marine areas remains in the hands of the competent authorities. Therefore, EBS
