Sustainable Financing for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): A Case Study of the Shiretoko Natural World Heritage

This chapter examines the financial sustainability and relevant mechanisms of the Shiretoko marine protected area (MPA), part of the Natural World Heritage Site in Hokkaido, Japan, designated in 2005. Given the loss of marine biodiversity globally and the renewed commitment to the conservation of biodiversity under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), analyzing a concrete case of a relatively successful conservation efforts and examining the critical issue of sustainable financing and the potential of innovative funding are of significant value. This chapter is expected to provide useful lessons for other MPAs and conservation activities in Japan and beyond.