Over the past two decades, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have emerged as one of the primary legislative initiatives used to protect the marine environment. Additionally, they are recognised as an integral management mechanism used to address Climate Change, and some consider them to be a driver for sustainable community development. To date, these areas have been used primarily to protect the natural environment, but there is both a clear justification and need to integrate cultural heritage into this network of sites. Such an integrated model would allow for the better realisation of the socio-economic development aspirations around MPA designation, and allow for broader inclusivity, and participatory community action and engagement. The integration of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage into these frameworks will support enhanced social cohesion, and a strengthening of place-making.

在过去的二十年中，海洋保护区 (MPA) 已成为用于保护海洋环境的主要立法举措之一。此外，它们被认为是用于应对气候变化的综合管理机制，有些人认为它们是可持续社区发展的驱动力。迄今为止，这些地区主要用于保护自然环境，但有明确的理由并且需要将文化遗产纳入这个遗址网络。这种综合模式将有助于更好地实现围绕 MPA 指定的社会经济发展愿望，并允许更广泛的包容性和参与性社区行动和参与。