Global marine protection targets: how S.M.A.R.T are they?

Area of Science:

• Marine conservation science
• Environmental policy
• Biodiversity management

Background:

• Global marine protection targets face criticism for ecological irrelevance and inadequacy.
• Despite ongoing deterioration of marine environments, these targets can motivate conservation efforts.
• No global marine protection targets have been met to date.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically assess the role of global marine protection targets in conservation and resource management.
• To evaluate the evolution of marine protection targets using the SMART framework.
• To identify challenges and limitations associated with global marine protection targets.

Main Methods:

• Assessment of three global marine protection targets adopted in the past decade.
• Application of the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timebound) framework for target evaluation.
• Analysis of data and information requirements for target implementation and monitoring.

Main Results:

• Marine protection targets have progressively become 'SMARTer,' particularly in specificity.
• The most recent Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) target demonstrates increased achievability.
• Key issues include the need for robust data, scale mismatches in assessment, and the psychological role of targets.

Conclusions:

• Global marine protection targets may primarily serve a psychological role, motivating action.
• Effective implementation hinges on data availability and appropriate scaling.
• Further 'SMARTening' of targets can enhance their effectiveness in marine conservation.