Valuing the Benefits of Designating a Scottish Network of MPAs in Territorial and Offshore Waters, 2012

Commissioned by Scottish Environment LINK’s Marine Taskforce, this report attempts, for the first time, to estimate the benefits provided by designating a network of Marine Protected Areas for nature conservation in Scottish waters. Why? Because, by understanding the economic benefits provided by the goods and services that a network of MPAs can help support, decision-making can be improved. This independent report was produced by the Institute of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning at the University of Oviedo and peer reviewed by Dr Salman Hussain at SRUC. It finds that protecting Scottish seas not only safeguards our marine environment; it makes economic sense too.