Navigating from government-centralised management to adaptive co-management in a marine protected area, Paraty, Brazil

A shift from centralized, government-led management to adaptive co-management can significantly improve the effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs), particularly for artisanal fisheries. This study highlights the successful implementation of a Term of Agreement between the Tamoios Marine Reserve in Paraty, Brazil, and the local community of Tarituba, which facilitated participatory social and ecological monitoring. The approach demonstrates that adaptive co-management, characterized by collaboration between government agencies and local stakeholders, can address the challenges of traditional top-down management while fostering sustainable fisheries practices. Key to this transition was the establishment of a framework that balanced conservation goals with community needs, offering a scalable model for other MPAs facing similar governance hurdles.

Seixas, C. S., Dias, A. C. E., & de Freitas, R. R. (2017). Navigating from government-centralised management to adaptive co-management in a marine protected area, Paraty, Brazil. Governing the Coastal Commons, 157–180. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315688480-9