Socio-economic values of the alboran marine protected area in the moroccan mediterranean: reference state for monitoring the impact of the mpa performance

In Morocco, the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is a new management approach used for strengthening traditional fisheries’ management measures. This approach was proposed in the Mediterranean due to the decline of the main fisheries’ resources, both small pelagic and demersal species. This paper discusses the presentation and analysis of the reference state of the Alboran MPA, located to the west of the Moroccan Mediterranean coast since 2013, in relation to socioeconomic aspects. The analysis revealed indicators allowing regular monitoring of the impact of the performance of the MPA. These include sociodemographic indicators and economic indicators, including household income sources and fishermen's incomes, which remain very positive compared to other artisanal fishers in the region and governance-related indicators such as the acceptability of the MPA and conflicts over resources. Other socioeconomic indicators were also analyzed, concerning the ones used for the choice of the area to be protected and those related to the perception of fishermen. These include the acceptability of the marine population, the importance of fishing activity and fishery resources, income-generating activities and accessibility. All these indicators were very favourable to the implementation of the MPA. Social and economic considerations and socioeconomic analysis are essential for the successful implementation of MPAs. Poor assessment of these aspects may lead to the failure of the implementation of the MPA, which may also be due to difficulties of its acceptability by local communities. These considerations should be introduced in the implementation of MPAs, from planning, through the choice of the area, the implementation of the MPA to its management. At the global level, it is becoming increasingly rare to create MPAs without incorporating these considerations.