Abstract
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Multi-purpose marine protected areas (MPAs) are prevalent worldwide as institutional mechanisms deployed in the marine environment to manage multiple uses, conserve resources and protect ecosystems. Yet some people may experience disadvantage following
the implementation of new MPAs. One understudied aspect of MPAs
is the distribution of advantages and disadvantages and how best to
address the “justice” concerns that they raise. This article identifies a
framework of principles, methods and tools to address these concerns. It devises a “MPA justice model” and demonstrates its applicability to a Taiwanese case study. In 2014, Taiwan proclaimed its first
multiple-purpose MPA, the South Penghu Marine National Park and
the case study shows ways that the MPA’s socio-economic sustainability could have been better accomplished. The article focuses on
future MPA establishment that incorporates distributional fairness
and procedural legitimacy into MPA site designation and zoning
design - but might also be adapted to use retrospectively in MPA
review processes.