Table 1 Examples of local marine stewardship activities (see Supplementary Table 1 for details).

Locally managed marine areas (LMMAs)

Coastal and marine areas managed by nearby communities to balance the use of marine resources and protection of biodiversity. LMMAs are characterized by local control and autonomy, but may receive support from governments or partner organizations.

Indigenous and community conserved areas (ICCAs)

Territories or areas voluntarily established and managed by Indigenous Peoples or local communities, through customary laws or other means, to protect ecosystems, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and cultural values. ICCAs include tribal parks, territories of life, Indigenous protected and conserved areas, Indigenous protected areas.

Community-based marine protected areas (CBMPAs)

Coastal and marine areas in which harmful activities are restricted and human use is managed for the purposes of biodiversity protection. CBMPAs are implemented and managed by communities, sometimes with support from governments or other organizations.

Community-based fisheries management (CBFM) and natural resource management (CBNRM)

Community-driven and customary approaches to manage fisheries and marine resources by coastal communities and small-scale fishers’ organizations. Governance and management activities, including decision-making, negotiating access, enforcing rules, resolving conflicts, and restoration actions, are based on local customs and traditional knowledge. Some management measures, such as area or species taboos, are enacted based on cultural or religious beliefs and practices.

Community-based coastal adaptation and mitigation

Community-driven efforts to adapt to the effects of climate change using nature-based solutions (e.g., saltmarsh restoration as a defence against flooding) or to contribute to mitigation efforts (e.g., locally driven carbon sequestration projects in seagrass or mangrove areas that provide economic and livelihood benefits to communities).

Local coastal ecosystem restoration initiatives

Activities or processes that support degraded or destroyed marine ecosystems (e.g., mangroves, seagrass meadows, coral reefs, beaches) to recover using local knowledge, capacity, and approaches.

Local food cultivation through area or species management

Active management of certain areas, habitats or species by local and Indigenous communities for the purpose of food production and subsistence (e.g., clam gardens in Canada, traditional fishponds in Hawaii).