The MPAs (declared and proposed) have been classified as global/regional (A), national (B) and local (C) priorities based on the following: i) the biodiversity and ecological values of MPAs; ii) consideration of the threats (existing and potential) imposed upon them, and iii) feasibility of management (i.e. including the social environments that will determine the likelihood of success). An absolute distinction between global and regional priorities was not made because comparison of sites on the global scale is beyond the scope of this Review. The majority of the A sites refers to regional priority areas except for those that have been internationally recognised (e.g. Mu Ko Similan, Surin and Tubbataha as World Heritage Sites; Khao Sam Roi Yot and Olango as RAMSAR Sites). The prioritisation process provides guidelines for resource allocation especially at the international levels. International or bilateral programmes should support MPAs of global/regional priority that contain high biodiversity values with a good chance of being successfully conserved, and hence contribute effectively to global biodiversity conservation. Greater national efforts, with or without foreign assistance, should be exerted on sites rated as nationally important to strengthen their management. Rather than being obsolete or unimportant, the remaining MPAs of local priority are essential in forming a healthy network of sites needed for marine conservation nationally and regionally, as well as for sustaining fisheries resources that local villagers depend upon (Aliño et al. 2000).

Several of the reviewed countries have already begun their own process of MPA prioritisation. The Biodiversity Action Plans for Indonesia (Haeruman 1993, as cited by Cheung 1995) and Vietnam (BAP Planning Team, 1995 draft), for example, present the national views on the priority sites and actions needed for biodiversity conservation. The Philippines has recently reviewed its priority areas (including MPAs) for protection under the National Priority Setting for Biodiversity Conservation (DENR 2000). Care is needed during the MPA rating process of the Review so that local and national opinions would be well-represented while regional expertise would be brought in to verify sites that have been rated globally or regionally important. Other regional programmes with shared objectives such as the IUCN/CNPPA Global MPA Programme have been consulted during the rating process.

Some 27 “A” and 41 “B” priority MPAs or marine areas have been identified in the region (Table i.4). At least one regional priority site has been chosen from each country to encourage national conservation efforts and regional exchange and cooperation. Indonesia, being at the centre of marine biodiversity and having the widest spread geographically, has the most “A” sites. The Philippines also has a large number of priority sites. Note that some of the MPAs are very small and may be grouped to form a single priority site of greater size and sustainability (see also Figure i.2).

Table i.5 presents the list of Existing (E) and Proposed (P) MPAs of regional (A) and national (B) conservation priorities. In addition to their high biodiversity, complexity of ecosystems, habitat extensiveness as well as intactness (e.g. islands of the Spratly and Tubbataha Reef), some sites are rated highly due to their significance for endangered migratory species (e.g. turtles and dugongs). Some are situated close to national borders and hence require trans-frontier cooperation in management (e.g. Pulau Semama and Sangalaki in Indonesia, the Turtle Islands in Eastern Malaysia and SW Philippines and the disputed islands in the Spratlys). The list of priority sites is not definitive or complete as there are still many unexplored areas and sites with insufficient data for assessment. For example, Teluk Raja Ampat and Kepuluan Karimata are believed to be high priority areas but very little is known about them. Such sites require urgent field surveys in order to re-assess their importance. Similarly, many of the marine areas in Myanmar fall under this category. It is just as important to note these “unknown” areas as to identify well-accepted priority sites. This prioritisation process serves to provide a broad overview of the conservation priorities of the region, pinpoint gaps in information and forgotten areas, and emphasize priority actions needed. Protected area establishment thus requires institutional, policy and scientific support both within and beyond the site boundary.

In addition to the priority sites of the East Asian Seas region, the Spratly Archipelago is one of the richest in terms of marine biodiversity, extensiveness and fisheries resources, and hence a site of very high regional priority if political obstacles could be overcome. Currently, six countries lay claim on the archipelago: China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. Frequent disputes arise among China, Philippines and Malaysia. An international marine park has been proposed at Spratly as a means to sustain fisheries and prevent environmental disasters due to oil exploration in the area (McManus 1994). A study on pelagic larval movements suggested that the area, which is comparable to the size of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, could play an important role in replenishing fisheries stocks in nearby countries of the South China Sea. If political hurdles can be overcome to materialize the proposal, marine conservation in the region would benefit to a large extent.