Enhancing Marine Protected Area Networks by Incorporating Species Seasonality: A Case Study in the Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic)

ABSTRACT

As human pressures on marine ecosystems increase, it is crucial to develop effective ecosystem‐based management to ensure both protection and sustainable use of the sea. In this context, international and regional policies, such as the European Union's Biodiversity Strategy, aim to safeguard biodiversity and reverse ecosystem degradation through the establishment of protected areas. Here, we assess the effectiveness of existing marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Bay of Biscay (Northeast Atlantic) in achieving conservation goals for seabirds and cetaceans, and propose additional protection measures, such as seasonally explicit MPA configurations. Given the geographic and seasonal variability in species distribution and fisheries activity, the analyses were conducted at a seasonal scale. An assessment of protection status revealed that half of the studied cetacean species did not meet the conservation goals. Protection levels were stable regardless of the time of year, with under‐protected species consistently lacking adequate safeguards. In contrast, the protection of seabirds was noticeably higher, with most species achieving adequate protection across seasons, with only a few exceptions. To address these gaps, we conducted spatial conservation prioritisation using Marxan to explore different MPA configuration scenarios. The resulting MPA network configurations varied according to season and species, offering protection strategies that were complementary and alternative to the existing MPA network. Our findings provide an integrated diagnosis of the protection status of species and habitats of conservation concern and propose options for enhancing their conservation in the Bay of Biscay. This work highlights the importance of considering seasonal ecological dynamics to foster the effectiveness of area‐based marine management tools.