Participatory rezoning process in Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area, Italy

Under the Blue4all Project, the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area (MPA) management team in south-eastern Sardinia implemented a participatory process to revise its zoning system. The process brought together MPA managers, scientific experts, the municipality, and local stakeholders in a structured consultation process supported by spatial tools and scientific data. Workshops and consultations enabled participants to jointly discuss ecological priorities, socio-economic considerations, and governance implications of zoning changes. By combining technical analysis through QGIS with open dialogue, the process aimed to ensure that proposed zoning revisions were both environmentally sound and socially acceptable. The experience demonstrates how participatory approaches and accessible mapping tools can facilitate transparent decision-making in Marine Protected Area management and help balance conservation objectives with local stakeholder interests.

Objectives of the conservation measures

The Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area (MPA) sought to revise its zoning system in order to better reflect updated ecological knowledge and improve the effectiveness of spatial protection measures. Over time, scientific mapping and monitoring activities revealed that the existing zoning scheme (defined in 2012) no longer fully represented the most recent biological and ecological information, and that some spatial boundaries required clarification.

Within the Blue4All project, the Capo Carbonara MPA Living Lab aimed to support the revision of the zoning through a participatory and science-based process. The objective was to balance ecological priorities with socio-economic considerations by integrating updated scientific data with stakeholder knowledge. A Stakeholder Engagement Group was therefore established to involve key actors such as fishers, tourism operators, municipal authorities and researchers in the rezoning process.

The initiative contributes to the objectives of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030”, particularly by improving the effectiveness and governance of Marine Protected Areas and supporting science-based, inclusive ocean management.

Period covered: 2025

Country: Italy

Location: Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area, Sardinia (Italy)

Governance level: Local, National

Project acronym: Blue4All

Project website: https://blue4all.eu/

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Solutions

To support the revision of the zoning system of the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area (MPA), the MPA Management – in collaboration with MEDSEA Foundation, member of Blue4all team - implemented a participatory rezoning process combining stakeholder engagement with spatial analysis tools. The approach aimed to integrate updated ecological knowledge with stakeholder perspectives in order to develop a revised zoning proposal that better reflects environmental priorities while considering local uses of the area.

Blue4All in Capo Carbonara MPA - A Stakeholder-Driven Approach

Blue4All in Capo Carbonara MPA

More about Solutions

The process followed several key steps. First, within the Blue4All Living Lab framework, a Baseline Assessment and Needs Assessment were conducted to identify governance and management challenges associated with the existing zoning scheme. These assessments helped determine which tools and approaches could best address the needs of the MPA and its stakeholders. Second, a Stakeholder Engagement Group (SEG) was established, bringing together representatives from key stakeholder groups interacting with the MPA, including fisheries, tourism operators, municipal authorities and researchers. The SEG served as a platform for dialogue and co-creation throughout the process, allowing different interests and types of knowledge to be incorporated into the rezoning discussions. Within Blue4All Living Labs, SEGs play an important role in identifying needs, testing tools and validating proposed management solutions. Third, the participatory process was supported by spatial mapping tools, particularly QGIS (Quantum Geographic Information System), an open-source platform used to integrate ecological information and visualize spatial data. Scientific data collected by the MPA and research partners were translated into GIS layers showing habitats, ecological features and existing zoning boundaries. These spatial outputs were used during stakeholder meetings to facilitate discussions on possible zoning adjustments. Printed maps and simplified visual outputs were also used during consultations to make the spatial information more accessible to participants. Through a series of discussions and iterative consultations with the SEG, stakeholders were able to review spatial information, discuss management implications and contribute to the development of a revised zoning proposal for the MPA.

The Capo Carbonara experience generated several lessons that may inform similar processes in other Marine Protected Areas:

technical spatial assessments require considerable time and preparation. Effective rezoning processes therefore, benefit from long-term planning and well-structured consultation timelines.
Trust and collaboration underpin successful governance. Building transparent and constructive relationships between MPA managers and stakeholders helps foster mutual understanding and supports outcomes that are both ecologically robust and socially accepted.
Accessible tools enhance participation. Translating complex spatial data into user-friendly formats—such as simplified QGIS outputs, printed maps and interactive workshops—proved highly effective in enabling stakeholders to engage meaningfully in discussions.

Map of the zonation proposal of Capo Carbonara MPA

This map represents the proposed zonation resulting from the participatory process carried out within the Blue4All project. It is currently under review by the Ministry and has not yet been officially approved or enforced.

References

Dvorski K. & Krvaric A. et al. (2025) - Tool Validation Report. Deliverable - D4.4 under the WP4 of the BLUE4ALL project (GA n° 101094014).
Drews-von Ruckteschell F. et al (2025) – Tool Testing in Action – A closer look at our MPA Sites Across Europe. Factsheets – under the BLUE4ALL project (GA n° 101094014).
BLUE4ALL. Experiences from MPA governance and management in action. Case Study Reports - under the BLUE4ALL project (GA n° 101094014).
Adjei, M. et al. (2025). Social and governance tools for MPA network design and management. Deliverable – D2.2 under the WP2 of the BLUE4ALL project (GA n° 101094014).

Source: https://blue4all.eu/publications (to be published after review)