Governance of marine protected areas in Costa Rica

Marine protection has gained increased attention since the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) set the target of protecting 10% of all coastal and marine areas by 2020. Despite this target, only 2.3% of the oceans’ surface is currently protected and many existing marine protected areas (MPAs) face significant shortcomings. Because poor performance appears to be linked to the rules shaping MPA governance, a problem particularly for developing nations, this book considers MPA governance through a case study of MPAs in Costa Rica. Costa Rica has a long history of terrestrial conservation, most recently also turning its attentions to its MPAs. For this reason, it provides an interesting opportunity to observe how governance challenges have been reproduced over time and how stakeholders are trying to overcome them. To explain this situation, I used qualitative research and drew on theories of institutional change and stability. More than one hundred interviews were done at four MPA study sites and in San José, the national capital of Costa Rica. Seven issues of MPA governance were found. The book traces the trajectory of these governance issues since the 1970s when the Costa Rican protected area system was first established. Above all, it makes the case for the careful consideration of previously adopted solutions to MPA governance before new rules are crafted.