Protected areas conserve entire ecosystems by restricting human activities and are among the most effective approaches to biodiversity conservation. However, not all protected areas are created equal. The level of protection, as determined by the regulations and restricted activities, determines the expected conservation outcomes. For example, a minimally protected area that restricts use of a single fishing gear and allows all others will not achieve the same conservation benefits as a no-take area, which restricts all extractive activities.
Protecting biodiversity in fully and highly protected areas increases the abundance and diversity of marine life.
Fully and highly protected areas are areas of the coastal or marine environment that allow minimal or no extractive or other damaging practices, such as fishing, mining, and oil and gas development. Studies have shown that fully and highly protected areas result in the greatest conservation benefits, while protected areas with less regulations and more human activities afford minimal conservation benefits.
Protecting biodiversity in fully and highly protected areas increases the abundance and diversity of marine life exported to surrounding areas, both securing food resources for millions of people and preventing loss of species. With well-designed and managed fully and highly protected areas, and especially networks of such areas, we can achieve international conservation goals, restore healthy oceans, and conserve marine biodiversity.
Marine Conservation Institute supports fully and highly protected areas because they:
To learn more about how we assess and measure protection levels, check out our MPA Assessments.
Now is the time to act.
Marine Conservation Institute works to improve marine protection by advocating for stronger ocean protections, tracking conservation progress in the Marine Protection Atlas, and strengthening marine protections through Blue Parks. We are working to save the ocean for all of us and future generations.
Each and every one of us can make a difference.
