Why Protect 30%
WHY PROTECT 30% OF THE OCEAN?
Whether you live near it or thousands of miles away, we all depend on the ocean. The ocean provides us with life, food and livelihoods.
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It gives us more than half the oxygen we breathe and creates livelihoods for more than three billion people around the world.
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Without a healthy ocean, there is no healthy planet or people.
30% protection is the BARE MINIMUM to a healthy ocean.
BY THE NUMBERS
200
MILLION
people depend on coral reefs to protect against storm surges & flooding.
3
BILLION
people rely on the ocean for food and livelihoods.
$24
TRILLION
USD estimated global ocean asset value.
More than a third (35.4%) of global fish stocks were overfished in recent years.
WHY DO WE NEED TO PROTECT THE OCEAN NOW?
The ocean is an essential resource and holds the key to addressing many of our global challenges.
It also provides us with a variety of benefits:
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​Oxygen, food, and medicine
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Jobs and livelihoods
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Climate resilience
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Sustainable economies
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Preservation of culture
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Biodiversity
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If we want to sustain these benefits for future generations, we need to act now to protect and sustainably manage the ocean. By safeguarding the ocean and its resources, we can ensure thriving communities and brighter futures for all.
BENEFITS OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
Hover over each location to see the benefits from MPAs around the world.
More opportunities for future generations
Seychelles MPAs provide direct revenue of USD $135,324, providing 31 jobs, 13 trainee positions and an operating profit of over USD $8000.
Source
Improved fishing and livelihoods
Ten-fold increase in fish catch by weight and ten-fold increase in CPUE for line fishing was observed since reserve creation.
Source
Healthier marine environments
After 3 years, 5-fold increase was observed in kaikoso clams in adjacent fished areas and a 200% increase in CPUE. After 5 years, 7-fold increase was observed.
Source
Bigger, more abundant fish
Increased CPUE inside the periodical closures. Fish larger in catches from closures and Acanthuridae were significantly more abundant. Fish flight initiation distance decreased
Source
Increased revenue for tourism and ocean-related businesses
La Restinga MPA generates USD $739200 from diving-related tourism alone.
Source
Improved ecosystem resilience
Catch and catch per unit effort are higher among the Hawaii industrial longline fleet since the expansions of two of the world’s largest MPAs.
Source
30x30
Visit MPAtlas.org to learn more.
Our ocean economy has been under tremendous stress from overexploitation, mismanagement, and neglect for a long time, and now many ecosystems may be on the brink of collapse.
WHERE WE ARE
2.9%
of the ocean is currently fully protected
WHERE WE NEED TO BE
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30%
of the ocean needs to be fully protected by 2030
Marine protection aims to protect the integrity of the whole ecosystem, not just a single species or habitat. Our ocean environment needs to remain healthy and intact to support livelihoods, jobs and food security.
OUR VISION
Island nations are at the forefront of marine protection and sustainable ocean management, with their local leaders forging a path for the rest of the world to follow.
These island communities are setting an example and creating the roadmap for global ocean stewardship.
