MPA policy: What lies behind the science?

What the current policy debate on marine protected areas (MPAs) and marine reserves (MRs) has failed to address is the fact that protection of the marine environment has as much to do with scientists, and others values as it has to do with science. To date natural science has played a dominant role in the implementation of MPAs, yet normative considerations which are embedded in the way scientists and the wider community think about the condition the marine environment should be in, and which may influence decision-making, are rarely acknowledged or discussed. This paper seeks to correct that deficiency by investigating the values that lie behind the natural science of MPAs. With the aid of epistemic community, advocacy coalition and discourse coalition theories of policy networks, this article explores the role science and scientists have played in influencing policy on MPAs at the global and national level, and looks at the extent to which normative conceptualisations within and beyond natural science have influenced the debate. ► This study examined the question of how does science relate to policy regarding the planning of MPAs?. ► Interviews with UK stakeholders were combined with a desk based study to address this question. ► Three theories were used to interpret the findings. ► A network of marine experts influenced policy at the strategic level. ► The mixing of science with ideology makes it more difficult for planners to use science meaningfully in decision making.