Research On Establishment And Management Of Marine Protected Areas In China

Effective protection and equitable development of the oceans and their resources is of great significance to sustainable development by alleviating population explosion, resource depletion and environmental pressures on human society.Challenged by severe marine pollution and over-exploitation of marine resources,the international community has generally accepted marine protected areas as an effective and preventive tool for integrated ocean management,and different types of marine protected areas flourished all over the world.However,the concept and application of marine protected areas in China is still relatively narrow at the present,and most studies focused solely on marine nature reserves.Therefore,China faces a difficult dilemma in dealing with the relationship between marine protection and resource development.This thesis elaborates the theoretical basis,policies and laws,as well as management practices of marine protected areas domestically and internationally,then points out major problems in the establishment and management of China's marine protected areas,and through theory analysis and case study,it finally provides feasible solutions to enhance theoretical and practical level of the establishment and management of marine protected areas in China.Main findings of the thesis are as follows:The first chapter analyzes the concept,categories,purposes and roles of marine protected areas,then introduces international legal framework and management paradigm concerning marine protected areas,and thus lays a theoretical foundation for the establishment and management of China's marine protected areas.Chapter 2 starts from laws,policies and management practices of marine protected areas in United States,Canada and Australia,then conducts a comparative research among three countries and finally explores experiences and lessons in order to enhance the establishment and management of marine protected areas in China.Chapter 3 studies the development process and management practice of marine protected areas in China,puts forward main problems which impede vigorous development of marine protected areas in China.Among these problems,the conflict between protection and development,limited funding channels,inadequate legislation and inefficient management,as well as the lack of overall planning are major disadvantages in active establishment and effective management of China's marine protected areas.Chapter 4 brings forward corresponding measures and proposals on the basis of the previous chapter,and carries out detailed discussion on developing various types of marine protected areas,expanding financial channels,improving legal system and management paradigms,and establishing national and global system of marine protected areas.The last chapter uses Guangdong Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve as a case study,and suggests that in order to ensure long-term development of marine protected areas in China,it is necessary to update the concept of marine protected areas,change management ideas,promote scientific,educational,cultural and recreational functions of marine protected areas,as well as strengthen communication and cooperation at home and abroad.