Marine Protected Dramas: The Flaws of the Brazilian National System of Marine Protected Areas

摘要: This article discusses the current problems and issues associated with implementation of a National System Marine Protected Areas in Brazil. MPA managers higher governmental level authorities were interviewed about their perceptions national strategy recent changes institutional arrangement government marine conservation agencies. Interviewees’ narratives generally pessimistic was perceived as weak, few recognizable outcomes on ground. The following major flaws identified: poor inter-institutional coordination coastal ocean governance; crisis faced by agency; management within individual MPAs; regional networks protected areas; an overly bureaucratic administrative system; financial shortages creating structural disconnect between policy its delivery. Furthermore, lack professional motivation atmosphere encountered during many interviews, malaise which we believe affects how entire system is able to respond crises. Our findings highlight need for better understanding role ‘leadership’ performance socio-ecological systems (such networks), more effective official evaluation mechanisms, localized audits (and reforms if necessary to) Brazil’s federal biodiversity agency (ICMBio), political measures promote state leadership support. Continuing focus designation MPAs whilst not fully addressing these will achieve little beyond fulfilling, paper, international commitments.