Researchers at Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) have published a study examining how marine protected areas (MPAs) can achieve financial sustainability to support conservation worldwide. The study, featured in Marine Policy, draws on practitioner perspectives from Latin America and the Caribbean and highlights strategies for long-term funding.
The paper, titled “A Roundtable on Marine Protected Area Finance: Lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean on Four Keys to Success for Improving Financial Sustainability,” originated from a session at the 5th International Marine Protected Area Congress (IMPAC5) held in Vancouver in 2023. The session was led by John Bohorquez, research associate at SoMAS, and Christine Santora, assistant director for policy and outreach at the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science (IACAS), along with co-authors Ellen Pikitch of SoMAS and former graduate student Maria Grima. Participants included MPA managers from Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, as well as funders and consultants globally.
“We believe these lessons are globally relevant, not just for Latin America and the Caribbean, and they highlight how practitioner-led knowledge can shape broader conservation finance strategies,” said Bohorquez.
MPAs are considered important tools for maintaining ocean health by helping ecosystems recover or remain resilient against climate change. However, many MPAs lack reliable funding; it is estimated that two-thirds or more do not have sufficient resources to meet their management needs. Without adequate financial support, some protected areas risk being “paper parks” that exist only in name without effective conservation outcomes.
The study outlines four main recommendations to improve financial sustainability: diversifying income sources through innovative financing mechanisms; strengthening internal financial capacity; leveraging partnerships across sectors; and aligning policies to remove barriers. These findings are based on case studies and exchanges among practitioners.
Traditional funding such as government budgets or philanthropic grants often does not cover all costs. Many MPA managers also lack experience with alternative financing approaches. Peer-to-peer exchanges help fill this gap by sharing practical solutions. For example, a community group in Belize increased revenue for Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary through eco-tourism services, water-quality monitoring programs, equipment leasing, and collaboration with neighboring MPAs—even those across borders in Mexico—to maximize resources.
In Honduras, when tourism revenue declined during COVID-19 lockdowns, a marine park introduced water-testing services for hotels and restaurants to generate steady income. Costa Rica has developed national-level solutions like the Forever Costa Rica initiative that attracted millions of dollars to expand MPA coverage. A dedicated “Blue Fund” now supports ongoing management of these areas.
“These examples show that local innovations can yield lessons with global relevance,” Bohorquez said. “From diversifying income streams to working across political boundaries and adapting traditional funding models, these efforts demonstrate how MPAs can achieve sustainable financing for a variety of contexts from local to national levels.”
Currently only about 10 percent of oceans are under protection globally—most without enough resources to reach their goals—while governments aim to protect 30 percent by 2030. Recent international agreements such as the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework emphasize the importance of finance in achieving ocean health targets. Bohorquez has shared his research insights at events including the UN Ocean Conference.
The researchers hope their work will encourage wider adoption of sustainable financing practices within MPAs worldwide through continued knowledge exchange across disciplines.