Managing Marine Protected Areas in Remote Areas: The Case of the Subantarctic Heard and McDonald Islands

The Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) Marine Reserve, one of the world's most remote marine protected areas (MPAs), has successfully balanced sustainable fisheries with biodiversity conservation. Despite its harsh conditions and isolation, the reserve has seen no illegal fishing since 2006/07, thanks to collaboration between managers and the fishing industry. Commercial fishers actively monitor the area, report infringements, and conduct annual ecological surveys, providing critical data for environmental tracking. This partnership, underpinned by secure fishing rights, demonstrates that remote MPAs can achieve conservation outcomes when governance integrates industry participation and robust monitoring. The study highlights the potential for similar models in other remote large MPAs, offering a blueprint for cost-effective conservation strategies.

Brooks, C. M., Epstein, G., & Ban, N. C. (2019). Managing Marine Protected Areas in Remote Areas: The Case of the Subantarctic Heard and McDonald Islands. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00631