Review and analysis of key international approaches to establish conservation objectives, identify indicators and develop monitoring protocols that evaluate the effectiveness of marine protected area (MPA) networks /

The extent to which the network design criteria/properties and steps recommended in Annexes II and III of Decision IX/20 of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 9) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (CBD 2008) (Appendix 1) have been part of the planning process are discussed, along with other design criteria if they were factored in. [...] Objectives of the NRSMPA The primary goal of the NRSMPA is to establish and manage a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of MPAs to contribute to the long-term ecological viability of marine and estuarine systems, to maintain ecological processes and systems, and to protect Australia's biological diversity at all levels. [...] The following secondary goals are designed to be compatible with the primary goal: 1. To promote the development of MPAs within the framework of integrated ecosystem management; 2. To provide a formal management framework for a broad spectrum of human activities, including recreation, tourism, shipping and the use or extraction of resources, the impacts of which are compatible with the primary goa [...] Since the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act was passed in 1975, the GBRMP has been managed in accordance with the Goal of the GBRMP Authority: to provide for the protection, wise use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef in perpetuity through the care and development of the GBRMP. [...] The extent to which the network design criteria/properties and steps recommended in Annexes II and III of Decision IX/20 of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 9) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have been part of the planning process are discussed, along with other design criteria if they were factored in.