Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) management usually involves bringing multiple stakeholders together, to construct policy-relevant research programs and science-based tools for adaptive management. Here, we present the conclusions of a transdisciplinary workshop that aimed at reviewing experiences in the co-design of EBM research in MPAs. We find that MPAs represent powerful instruments for conducting real-world experiments, de facto acting as living labs in support of ocean governance.
hébaud, O., Macher, C., Alban, F. et al. Marine protected areas as living labs? Lessons learned & future perspectives. npj Ocean Sustain 5, 3 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-025-00175-w
