Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)On the Brazilian coast there are many conflicts between Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and fisher's communities. This research used institutional analysis to integrate studies of sustainable territorial development with coastal fishing in three Brazilian MPAs: the Canavieiras (Bahia) and Itaipu (Rio de Janeiro) Extractive Reserves and the Ecological Station of Tamoios (Rio de Janeiro). Ostrom's Principles (1990) -reviewed by Cox et al. (2010) - were contrasted with the situation of fishing in MPAs in the period of analysis and the fishers' demands for institutional changes. Principles analysis indicated structural weaknesses of the state to promote continuous actions of monitoring resources and users, as well as in the application of graduated sanctions. The design principles most closely associated with the construction of territorial development strategies were related to the rules of appropriation and provision, and nested enterprises. MPAs, as institutional innovations, can act on territorial development dynamics to provide systemic responses capable of preventing the degradation of fisheries resources and marginalisation of users. The sustainable territorial development approach introduces innovative issues for MPAs management, such as territorial identity, integrated production systems and innovation. The perspective on MPAs presented aims to contribute to a quality based fisheries management model, rather than the usual productivity focus. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.13992101project "Integrated and Shared Marine-Coastal Territories: implications for small-scale fisheries and biodiversity conservation"MCTi/CAPES Ciencias [N.23038.051622/ 2009-11]Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)