Abstract

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are essential to conserving biodiversity, restoring marine ecosystems, sustaining fisheries, and managing fishery activities. In this research, I assess the impact of MPAs on fishery sustainability and coral regrowth by analyzing global case studies alongside satellite imagery and long-term ecological monitoring data. The findings demonstrate that MPAs with strong enforcement are associated with increased fish biomass, higher species richness, and significant improvement in coral cover, resilience, and resiliency. However, community engagement, context, and ecological factors influence success. In closing, the paper proposes strategies to improve MPA governance and spatial design.

Keywords: Marine protected areas, Fisheries management, Coral reefs, Biodiversity conservation, Sustainability, Ecosystem restoration