We will present Gabon’s approach to comprehensive spatial planning of the country, and specifically of its marine realm, including industrial and artisanal fisheries, oil development, protected areas, and other sectors. Given this background, the talk will focus on the technical, legal, and political process behind the creation of 9 marine parks and 11 aquatic reserves in 2017. Covering 26% of Gabon’s marine waters, this network is one of the largest marine protected area networks in all of Africa. Our presentation will cover the political context that made this project possible, the scientific research that underpinned MPA design, the legal process of its creation, and implications on resource and biodiversity management. Our goal is to present the successes and challenges of this initiative, future steps required for full implementation of MPAs, and most importantly to showcase a possible pathway for other countries that might want to take a similar approach.
