Marine Conservation Institute https://marine-conservation.org/ Marine Conservation Institute Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:20:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://marine-conservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/cropped-MCI-ICON-4C_square-1-32x32.png Marine Conservation Institute https://marine-conservation.org/ 32 32 Protecting the High Seas: Ensuring Strong, Effective MPAs Under the BBNJ Agreement https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/protecting-the-high-seas/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:20:09 +0000 https://marine-conservation.org/?p=20390 Article Protecting the High Seas: Ensuring Strong, Effective MPAs Under the BBNJ Agreement By Elle Bent | December 17, 2025 Exactly one month from today, on January 17, 2026, the UN agreement on the conservation of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, or BBNJ Agreement (also referred to as the High Seas Treaty), will enter into force…

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Protecting the High Seas: Ensuring Strong, Effective MPAs Under the BBNJ Agreement

By Elle Bent | December 17, 2025

Exactly one month from today, on January 17, 2026, the UN agreement on the conservation of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, or BBNJ Agreement (also referred to as the High Seas Treaty), will enter into force and become international law.

Although the BBNJ Agreement has a long history of negotiations dating back several decades, the text was adopted in June 2023, and the agreement reached another milestone when it received the 60 country ratifications needed for entry into force in September 2025.  

The BBNJ Agreement could not have arrived at a more critical time for ocean protection. For centuries, the ocean—two-thirds of which lies in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ or the “High Seas,” as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)—has been subject to near-limitless exploitation while facing the triple planetary crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. 

These threats are only increasing in scale as destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling mostly continue unchecked, and proposed activities like deep-sea mining threaten to destroy deep-sea and midwater ecosystems. The dynamic, extremely biodiverse expanse of the ocean that is the High Seas has lacked a global mechanism for protection until now.  

Notably, the Treaty establishes an international framework for countries to propose and establish area-based management tools (ABMTs) such as marine protected areas (MPAs) on the High Seas. The science shows that MPAs are one of the most concrete and effective ways of conserving biodiversity.  

Given the growing number of human activities on the High Seas, the opportunity to establish a network of large-scale, interconnected, and equitably governed MPAs is critical. This network would help safeguard vulnerable, unique, and rare ecosystems and species beyond national jurisdiction—while we still can. 

Currently, less than 1% of the High Seas is protected. Existing MPAs in ABNJ include those established under the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and Regional Seas Conventions such as the Oslo and Paris Convention (OSPAR), which established areas in the North Atlantic, primarily to protect seabirds.  

Other ABMTs are used to conserve specific species or fish populations, such as those mandated by the 1995 United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement and implemented by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) to prevent fishing in areas that are considered vulnerable (classified as vulnerable marine ecosystems, or VMEs). The BBNJ Agreement provides a unique opportunity to unify these efforts to protect biodiversity on the High Seas.  

Once the agreement’s mechanisms are in place, including the establishment of a Science and Technical Body (STB) to evaluate MPA proposals, a Secretariat, and protocols for the first Conference of the Parties (COP), states will have the opportunity to submit the first MPA proposals for High Seas areas. Many of these “priority areas” have been identified by groups such as the High Seas Alliance and include underwater mountain ranges (seamounts) bustling with marine life, expansive seagrass beds, and areas important for migratory species such as sharks, turtles, seabirds, and whales. 

While the best-case scenario would entail BBNJ MPAs that effectively conserve biodiversity, our analysis of current ocean protection levels shows that only 3% of the ocean falls into fully or highly protected MPAs. With only four years left to reach the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030, the urgency to ensure real protections are implemented and actively managed is greater than ever, and MPAs under the BBNJ Treaty risk joining the global trend of ineffective “paper parks” if not implemented and managed effectively.  

After 30 years devoted to ocean protection for the greatest benefits to biodiversity and people, Marine Conservation Institute is expanding its efforts to ensure effective protection for the High Seas.

Thanks to generous funding from the Minderoo Foundation, Marine Conservation Institute’s High Seas Program will focus on four areas over the next three years: 

1. Supporting the development of strong MPA proposals

As states begin to develop the first round of MPA proposals under the BBNJ agreement, Marine Conservation Institute will support this process by continuing to engage with partners working on proposals, particularly within coalitions such as the High Seas Alliance, Coral Reefs of the High Seas Coalition, and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition. Additionally, Marine Conservation Institute staff will be working to update and expand the High Seas Protection Tracker, a tool that provides an overview of existing geospatial data—with an emphasis on ABMTs—in ABNJ. Specifically, this information will support Article 19 of the Treaty (Proposals) Paragraph 4, which mandates that MPA proposals include the following information:  

  • A geographic or spatial description of the area 
  • Human activities in the area, including uses by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and their possible impact, if any;   
  • A description of the conservation and, where appropriate, sustainable use objectives that are to be applied to the area;   
  • Information on area-based management tools, including marine protected areas, implemented under relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies.

We are eager to engage with potential users and are open to any feedback (please use this link or email us at info@marine-conservation.org).   

High Seas Protection Tracker

2. Assessing the strength of BBNJ MPA proposals  

Alongside a global team of MPA experts, Marine Conservation Institute co-developed The MPA Guide, a science-based framework that evaluates MPAs by their level of protection and stage of establishment to predict biodiversity outcomes. By adapting The MPA Guide for the High Seas and applying it to assess prospective BBNJ MPA proposals, we aim to serve as an independent evaluator and advocate for the strongest, most effective protections for ocean biodiversity, while supporting governments, Indigenous peoples and local communities, and NGOs in developing robust, equitable proposals whenever possible. 

3. Tracking BBNJ MPA progress and reporting on gaps through the Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas)  

We use The MPA Guide to assess marine protected areas and share our findings through the global database Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas.org). MPAtlas is the world’s most trusted source for tracking the effectiveness of MPAs and provides the widely cited statistic that only 3% of the ocean is effectively implemented and protected. Looking ahead, we aim to evaluate and track BBNJ MPA proposals (and eventually, their implementation) on MPAtlas to report on progress toward 30x30 goals and highlight areas where further action is needed. 

4. Advocating for effective BBNJ MPAs that afford protections for the whole water column  

Based on the outcomes of our assessments, we will advocate for fully and highly protected BBNJ MPAs that result in positive biodiversity outcomes, involve a thorough consultative process with Indigenous peoples and local communities, and are representative of the many diverse ecosystems and habits that make up the High Seas. We also support MPAs that protect the entire water column—from the seabed to the surface—encompassing the full diversity of ocean life. Along with the Environmental Defense Fund and Ocean Conservancy, Marine Conservation Institute proposed IUCN Motion 035 at the World Conservation Congress to protect the mesopelagic, or “ocean twilight zone,” the zone of the ocean that spans from 200 to 1000 meters deep. This critical zone, as well as the rest of the deep ocean, should be meaningfully included in High Seas protections.  

The BBNJ Agreement’s imminent entry into force marks a historic opportunity to finally safeguard the High Seas and the extraordinary life it holds. But that promise is not guaranteed. Without ambitious, science-based protections and meaningful implementation, the agreement risks becoming another missed opportunity instead of the transformative tool the ocean needs. 

Marine Conservation Institute is determined to help ensure that does not happen. By supporting strong, well-designed MPA proposals, independently assessing their strength, tracking real progress toward 30x30, and advocating for fully and highly protected, whole–water column MPAs, we will work to make sure the BBNJ Agreement delivers on its potential. 

To learn more about our High Seas Program work, visit: https://marine-conservation.org/high-seas/ 

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]]> Marine Conservation Institute Appoints José Escaño Roepstorff as Global Development Director to Scale Ocean Protection for 2030 Horizon https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/marine-conservation-institute-appoints-jose-escano-roepstorff/ Wed, 10 Dec 2025 22:28:56 +0000 https://marine-conservation.org/?p=20368 Article photo: Adam Moore By Marine Conservation Institute | December 10, 2025 Marine Conservation Institute is thrilled to welcome José Escaño Roepstorff as our new Global Development Director. A Balearic-born ocean strategist and former marine biologist, José brings a unique blend of scientific grounding and entrepreneurial leadership, shaped by years of working at the intersection…

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photo: Adam Moore

By Marine Conservation Institute | December 10, 2025

Untitled (2240 x 600 px)

Marine Conservation Institute is thrilled to welcome José Escaño Roepstorff as our new Global Development Director. A Balearic-born ocean strategist and former marine biologist, José brings a unique blend of scientific grounding and entrepreneurial leadership, shaped by years of working at the intersection of marine conservation, impact finance, and global partnership building. 

José began his career as a marine biologist before founding and scaling an ocean-tech venture across more than 24 international markets. His track record spans large-scale restoration initiatives—including the launch of MedGardens in Spain —and securing investment for blue-economy innovation. He joins Marine Conservation Institute with a clear mandate: to align business models and donor engagement systems to secure predictable, long-term growth for our ocean's future.

In his new role, José will lead the global development strategy required to expand durable funding and partnerships. He is tasked with translating scientific necessity into investable opportunities for major donors, foundations, and corporate partners. His work will directly support the expansion of the Blue Parks network and the Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas), accelerating progress toward the Global Biodiversity Framework (30x30). José enters this role with a conviction that science requires robust capital to scale.

As he notes:

“Marine Conservation Institute has spent 30 years defining the science of protection; the next decade is about validating the valuation. We are moving beyond traditional aid to managing the world's most critical biological assets. The ocean needs more than sympathy—it demands sovereign-grade protection and blue-chip investment. I look forward to building the partnerships that turn 'paper parks' into permanent planetary capital.”

Marine Conservation Institute's president, Lance Morgan, underscored this leadership moment stating:

“Our success has been built on a foundation of rigorous science, but to achieve our conservation goals requires matching that science with equally strong financial architecture. José’s experience in impact finance and global partnerships will be essential as we scale our programs to meet the challenge of 30x30. We’re fortunate to have him join us at such a pivotal moment.”

His appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the Institute enters its 30th Anniversary year. We also extend our sincere thanks to Angela Nardo-Morgan for her leadership as Development Director, who will continue supporting the Institute in a consulting capacity during this transition. 

We are honored to welcome José to the Marine Conservation Institute team and look forward to what we will achieve together in the decade ahead. 

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]]> Marine Conservation Institute Introduces Updated Blue Park Standard, Strengthening Global Expectations for Effective Marine Protection https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/updated-blue-park-standard/ Tue, 02 Dec 2025 02:03:32 +0000 https://marine-conservation.org/?p=20317 News Release Marine Conservation Institute Introduces Updated Blue Park Standard, Strengthening Global Expectations for Effective Marine Protection By Marine Conservation Institute | November 26, 2025 Marine Conservation Institute announces the updated Blue Park Standard for Effective Ocean Conservation, a comprehensive, science-backed guide designed to help marine protected areas (MPAs) achieve real conservation success. The Blue Park…

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News Release

Marine Conservation Institute Introduces Updated Blue Park Standard, Strengthening Global Expectations for Effective Marine Protection

By Marine Conservation Institute | November 26, 2025

Marine Conservation Institute announces the updated Blue Park Standard for Effective Ocean Conservation, a comprehensive, science-backed guide designed to help marine protected areas (MPAs) achieve real conservation success. The Blue Park Standard provides clear, actionable criteria for planning, implementing, and evaluating MPAs that effectively protect marine biodiversity. Building on years of research and practice, this updated version offers improved organization and clarity to make it even easier for practitioners, policymakers, and scientists to apply in the field. 

Developed collaboratively with more than 150 marine conservation scientists from around the world and grounded in the latest research on MPA effectiveness, the Blue Park Standard provides clear expectations for biodiversity-focused protection, equitable governance, and high-quality management across diverse marine environments. 

“Effective MPAs require more than a designation – they require community stewardship, strategic design with protective regulations, and capacity for management,” said Dr. Sarah Hameed, Director of the Blue Parks Program. “The Blue Park Standard reflects everything we know about what makes MPAs work to deliver measurable conservation outcomes.” 

Ocean For Life

Marine Conservation Institute’s long-standing leadership in defining effective, science-driven marine protection is highlighted in Ocean for Life, a newly released publication by the Human Development Forum featuring perspectives from ocean scientists and conservation organizations. The book includes a discussion of the Blue Park Standard and recognizes its role in helping global audiences understand what constitutes strong and durable marine protection. 

“We’re delighted to collaborate with Marine Conservation Institute in the publication of Ocean for Life. Together we are fighting to advance global cooperation to restore and protect the ocean. It’s a battle we have to win,” said Jon Ingleton, Executive Editor, Ocean for Life. 

“We are honored to contribute to Ocean for Life, which amplifies the collective effort needed to safeguard the ocean,” said Lance Morgan, President of Marine Conservation Institute. “Strong, science-based standards like Blue Parks are essential to securing the future of marine biodiversity.”  

The digital edition of Ocean for Life is publicly available, with printed copies scheduled for distribution in December 2025. 

Why the Blue Park Standard Matters

The updated Blue Park Standard represents a shift from an eligibility framework to a guidance-oriented framework, designed to help new and existing MPAs strengthen biodiversity outcomes. The refinement organizes the synthesis of MPA science into an accessible structure for conservation professionals seeking to improve or design MPAs.  

The refined Standard is organized around six key themes that reflect the attributes of effective MPAs: 

  1. Location & Design for Biodiversity Conservation 

  2. Equitable and Durable Governance 

  3. Protection from Harmful Activities 

  4. Evidence-based Management Planning 

  5. Comprehensive Compliance Strategy 

  6. Capacity to Implement Management and Compliance Plans 

These themes offer a transparent, scientifically grounded foundation for evaluating Blue Park Award nominees and guiding MPA improvement efforts globally.  

Looking Ahead

Marine Conservation Institute will continue applying the Blue Park Standard to identify, evaluate, and recognize MPAs that demonstrate excellence in conservation effectiveness with prestigious Blue Park Awards, announced annually. With this global MPA quality standard, ongoing rigorous assessment, and global collaboration, Marine Conservation Institute remains committed to advancing durable protection for the ocean’s most important places.  

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]]> Marine Conservation Institute Applauds the High Seas Treaty  for Winning the 2025 Earthshot Prize for Ocean Protection https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/high-seas-treaty-wins-earthshot-prize/ Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:12:10 +0000 https://marine-conservation.org/?p=20278 News Release Marine Conservation Institute Applauds  the High Seas Treaty  for Winning the 2025 Earthshot Prize for Ocean Protection By Marine Conservation Institute | November 6, 2025 Marine Conservation Institute congratulates the High Seas Alliance (HSA) on  accepting the 2025 Earthshot Prize in the “Revive Our Oceans” category on behalf of the High Seas Treaty (also…

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News Release

Marine Conservation Institute Applauds  the High Seas Treaty  for Winning the 2025 Earthshot Prize for Ocean Protection

By Marine Conservation Institute | November 6, 2025

Marine Conservation Institute congratulates the High Seas Alliance (HSA) on  accepting the 2025 Earthshot Prize in the “Revive Our Oceans” category on behalf of the High Seas Treaty (also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction or BBNJ Agreement)— an extraordinary honor which recognizes the historic significance of this multilateral agreement to protect marine biodiversity in areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction, which cover half of the planet’s surface.  

Video posted by The Earthshot Prize highlighting the High Seas Treaty.

The High Seas Alliance, a coalition of more than 50 organizations and governments worldwide, has accepted the award due to its instrumental role in advancing ratifications of the treaty,  which reached 60 ratifications in September–the threshold needed for the agreement to enter into force in January 2026. 

Marine Conservation Institute is proud to have co-founded the Alliance and our President, Dr. Lance Morgan, has served on its steering committee since its inception, providing scientific expertise and policy guidance to strengthen global efforts to protect biodiversity and ensure effective, equitable governance of the High Seas.

“This Earthshot win celebrates more than a decade of collaboration, persistence, and shared vision among partners committed to safeguarding the ocean commons,” said Dr. Lance Morgan, President of Marine Conservation Institute.

“As founding members of the High Seas Alliance, it has been incredible to witness what once seemed impossible into a global commitment to conserve and equitably govern the high seas.”

Elle Bent, High Seas Project Coordinator at Marine Conservation Institute added,

“We’re proud to have contributed to this historic effort and to continue working with the Alliance to ensure that the High Seas Treaty is implemented in a way that protects biodiversity, respects Indigenous and local voices, and upholds the best available science.”

The Earthshot Prize recognition underscores the growing global momentum for effective, cooperative ocean governance. Marine Conservation Institute remains dedicated to advancing science-based protections for marine biodiversity—on the High Seas and across the planet’s blue heart.

Rebecca Hubbard, Director of the High Seas Alliance, accepts the Earthshot Award on behalf of the High Seas Treaty.

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]]> Marine Protection Atlas Supports Data-Driven Conservation Planning Through Integration into the Global Fishing Watch Marine Manager https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/marine-protection-atlas-supports-data-driven-conservation-planning/ Mon, 03 Nov 2025 17:02:46 +0000 https://marine-conservation.org/?p=19980 Last week, ocean advocates from around the globe came together at the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, to accelerate action towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 and mobilize all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean. So, what was accomplished for ocean conservation? Here’s our recap of some of the major announcements and commitments from the week and their significance for the ocean conservation movement.

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Article

Marine Protection Atlas Supports Data-Driven Conservation Planning Through Integration into the Global Fishing Watch Marine Manager

Photo Credit: Single Fin Photo / Ocean Image Bank

By Marine Conservation Institute | November, 2025

Marine Conservation Institute and Global Fishing Watch proudly announce their collaboration to feature Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas) data on Marine Manager. This strategic partnership will allow management authorities and decision makers to understand where marine protected areas (MPAs) have been assessed for quality and how likely current marine protection is to achieve conservation outcomes. This information is critical to support future planning, policy making, and management actions.

"The direct impact of human activity is critical to evaluating the effectiveness of MPAs to deliver biodiversity benefits. The MPAtlas layer allows Global Fishing Watch users to see how establishment and protection of MPAs relates to the amount of human activity in these areas,”

said Beth Pike, Director of the Marine Protection Atlas at Marine Conservation Institute.

Screenshot of Global Fishing Watch Marine Manager with MPAtlas selected as a reference layer. The default view displays Fully and Highly protected areas. Users can change the filter and click on specific MPAs to see more information.

Human activities are placing tremendous pressure on marine ecosystems. Marine protected areas (MPAs) can be incredibly effective tools for protecting and revitalizing the ocean, which is reflected in the international target to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 (“30x30”). However, their benefits are often hampered by lack of implementation or weak protection. A recent report, led by Marine Conservation Institute, established a global baseline for 30x30, finding that one quarter of the area in reported MPAs is not implemented and an additional third of the area in reported MPAs continues to allow destructive, industrial-scale activities that are not compatible with conservation outcomes.

In 2012, Marine Conservation Institute launched the Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas) to track and report on global marine protection with an emphasis on quality, in addition to quantity. MPAtlas employs The MPA Guide, a science-based framework that categorizes MPAs based on their Stage of Establishment and Level of Protection to connect them to the biodiversity outcomes they are expected to achieve. Fully and highly protected areas are linked to the greatest conservation benefits, and MPAtlas reporting focuses on these MPAs that will meaningfully benefit biodiversity. Reporting the amount of fully or highly protected area counted towards global conservation progress provides a clear understanding of real progress and emphasizes the importance of MPA effectiveness in conservation goals. As of October 2025, MPAtlas reports that only 3.1% of the global ocean is fully or highly protected.

Screenshot of MPAtlas' MPA Guide Marine Protection page. The default view displays Fully and Highly protected areas. Users can change the filter and click on specific MPAs to see more information.

Global Fishing Watch’s Marine Manager platform, developed in partnership with Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy, seeks to use innovative technology to improve insight into MPAs, supporting science-based decision-making, management, and monitoring. It allows users to rapidly collate, visualize, and analyze scientific data on human use and oceanographic conditions to facilitate informed decision-making and stewardship. The portal displays key metrics like the apparent fishing effort, vessel activity, sea surface temperature, and habitat layers. Providing managers and decision-makers with adequate information in near-real time can facilitate the necessary improvements for the successful implementation and management of MPAs.

Integrating MPAtlas data into Marine Manager will allow users to consider and visualize where MPAs have been evaluated for their level of protection from direct human impacts. Since the Level of Protection and Stage of Establishment are directly derived from the patterns of human use, particularly over time, MPAtlas data allows users to have a more holistic picture of their local or regional marine protected areas and more directly connect the strength of protection to human actions and environmental outcomes on the water.

"Adding MPAtlas to the Marine Manager layer library significantly enhances the platform by providing clear assessment data on MPA implementation status and the level of protection for users, enabling better understanding for those working to manage and protect vulnerable marine ecosystems,”

said Charles Kilgour, Director of Program Initiatives, Global Programs at Global Fishing Watch.

Ensuring that MPAs effectively protect biodiversity is critical to truly achieving the 30x30 target. By sharing MPAtlas data on Marine Manager, Marine Conservation Institute and Global Fishing Watch empower users to consider the quality of protections and turn information into action. To explore the data, check out Marine Manager or the Marine Protection Atlas. Click here to learn more about how to contribute to the Marine Protection Atlas.

MCI x GFW Draft

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]]> Marine Conservation Institute Commends IUCN’s Commitment to Protecting the Ocean’s Twilight Zone https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/iucn-motion-protects-ocean-twilight-zone/ Tue, 14 Oct 2025 17:23:12 +0000 https://marine-conservation.org/?p=20223 News Release Marine Conservation Institute Commends IUCN’s Commitment to Protecting the Ocean’s Twilight Zone By Marine Conservation Institute | October 14, 2025 Today, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) voted to pass Motion 035, “Protection of mesopelagic ecosystem integrity,” at the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. This landmark decision calls for applying a…

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News Release

Marine Conservation Institute Commends IUCN’s Commitment to Protecting the Ocean’s Twilight Zone

By Marine Conservation Institute | October 14, 2025

Today, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) voted to pass Motion 035, “Protection of mesopelagic ecosystem integrity,” at the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. This landmark decision calls for applying a precautionary approach to the expansion of mesopelagic fishing while we work to better understand the adverse impacts of human activities on this vast and vital ecosystem.

Video posted by IUCN highlighting the passage of the motion to protect mesopelagic ecosystems.

The mesopelagic—or “Ocean Twilight Zone”—extends from roughly 200 to 1,000 meters deep and is home to an immense portion of the ocean’s life, possibly up to 90 percent of its biomass. Every night, many of these organisms migrate toward the surface to feed, playing an essential role in transporting and sequestering billions of tons of carbon each year—an invisible but powerful process that helps regulate Earth’s climate.

“The mesopelagic zone is one of the planet’s largest and least understood ecosystems. Its species are critical to maintaining biodiversity, climate regulation and food web stability across the ocean,” said Dr. Lance Morgan, President of Marine Conservation Institute.

Ms. Elle Bent, High Seas Project Coordinator for Marine Conservation Institute, who participated in the motion’s development, stated, “By passing this motion, the IUCN and its members have taken a forward-looking step toward precautionary, science-based stewardship of a system that underpins the health of our planet.”

The passage of Motion 035 underscores the growing global recognition that a healthy ocean requires protecting even the deep and unseen. Dr. Morgan, summarized the significance of the vote, “With this decision, the international community is signaling its commitment to ensuring the mesopelagic remains a thriving, living engine of climate stability and biodiversity.”

Teams consult with IUCN member states and organizations to revise the final text of IUCN Motion 035 before going to a vote.

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]]> Enduring refuges for ocean wildlife: Blue Parks’ Five-Year Review https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/enduring-refuges-for-ocean-wildlife-blue-parks-five-year-review/ Thu, 25 Sep 2025 19:01:36 +0000 https://marine-conservation.org/?p=20002 Article Enduring refuges for ocean wildlife: Blue Parks’ Five-Year Review Photo Credit: Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona By Marine Conservation Institute | September 25, 2025 Imagine an effective marine protected area (MPA): an ocean sanctuary alive with biodiversity, supporting thriving ecosystems, and recognized with a prestigious Blue Park Award. But what happens after this milestone of conservation…

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Enduring refuges for ocean wildlife: Blue Parks’ Five-Year Review

Photo Credit: Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona

By Marine Conservation Institute | September 25, 2025

Imagine an effective marine protected area (MPA): an ocean sanctuary alive with biodiversity, supporting thriving ecosystems, and recognized with a prestigious Blue Park Award. But what happens after this milestone of conservation excellence? Oceans are dynamic, pressures are constant, and conditions change — so how do we ensure these places continue to deliver on their promise? That’s where the Blue Parks five-year review process comes in, verifying that award-winning MPAs remain effective over time and continue contributing to lasting conservation outcomes.

A Deep Dive into the Review

Effective MPA management is an ongoing process that requires sustained effort and adaptation to address changing circumstances. Our five-year review process ensures that Blue Parks sustain the Blue Park Standard over time and continue to adapt management to address emerging threats and conservation goals. To maintain its award status, each Blue Park undergoes a comprehensive review after five years. This process is like a thorough health checkup. More than just a cursory examination, the process involves a deep dive into the essence of what makes a Blue Park exemplary. Carefully developed, the five-year review aims to keep a finger on the pulse of the MPA’s management, biodiversity outcomes, and socioeconomic contexts, verifying that the MPA continues to meet the Blue Park Standard.

Like the ocean itself, our review process comprises many dynamic layers. The Blue Parks initiative is rooted in the Blue Park Standard. This Standard was developed based on the extensive scientific literature of MPA effectiveness with the contributions of over 100 marine scientists from around the world through a series of workshops and focus groups. The Blue Parks Science Council, comprised of over 30 leading marine conservation experts, has played a particularly significant role in reviewing the Standard and keeping it up-to-date.

As the review commences, our team of marine conservation experts systematically compiles comprehensive information about any changes to the Blue Park’s management over the past five years. This involves a scientific literature review, a deep dive into all updated management and compliance strategies, and interviews of managers. Just as we do during Blue Park Award evaluations, we synthesize a wide variety of MPA documentation, including enforcement records, budgets, management plans, monitoring reports, and any other updates since the initial evaluation. This new information is summarized in an addendum to the original Evaluation Report, painting a vivid picture of the MPA’s journey since first earning the Blue Park designation.

Photo Courtesy of Chumbe Island Coral Reef Sanctuary
Photo Courtesy of Chumbe Island Coral Reef Sanctuary
Photo Courtesy of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and World Heritage Site
Photo Courtesy of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and World Heritage Site

Riding the Waves of Change: What happens when a Blue Park changes over time?

Through the review process, we may observe Blue Parks grappling with new challenges or achieving remarkable improvements. Recognizing the dynamic nature of both human and marine environments, our five-year review process is designed to respond to change.

When notable changes are identified through the review process, the completed reports are shared with the Blue Parks Science Council. The Council reviews the report and supporting documentation, and they may choose to update their award decision. This ensures that each Blue Park's status accurately reflects its current performance and alignment with the Blue Park Standard.

Based on the gathered information and Science Council consensus, a Blue Park may experience one of three outcomes:

  • Maintaining their Blue Park Status: Many Blue Parks continue to thrive and meet our high standards, demonstrating their dedication to long-term, effective conservation and MPA management.
  • Blue Park Level Upgrade: Blue Parks that demonstrate exceptional improvements and meet more of the criteria that comprise the Blue Park Standard may be eligible for an upgrade in their award status (e.g. advancing from the silver level to gold).
  • Facing Challenges: Changes are inevitable: budgets fluctuate, enforcement can be a challenge, and management plan objectives may prove difficult to achieve. If an MPA is struggling to continue meeting the Blue Park Standard, we offer our collaboration to help bring the MPA back on track. We may downgrade their status (e.g., from the gold level to silver) or offer them Blue Spark status while we work with the managers to secure capacity and implement the improvements needed to succeed.

The Impact and Importance of our enduring Blue Parks

Our five-year review process maintains the integrity of the initiative by ensuring that Blue Parks represent the Blue Park Standard and provide models for marine conservation excellence. Holding Blue Parks accountable through regular, thorough evaluations creates a ripple effect: as MPAs maintain effective implementation, we see improvements in ecosystem vitality, which in turn supports local economies and communities.

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]]> THE HIGH SEAS TREATY IS RATIFIED! A Historic Milestone for Ocean Conservation https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/high-seas-treaty-is-ratified/ Fri, 19 Sep 2025 23:09:08 +0000 https://marine-conservation.org/?p=20106 Article THE HIGH SEAS TREATY IS RATIFIED! A Historic Milestone for Ocean Conservation By Marine Conservation Institute | September 19, 2025 Today, the global conservation community achieved a historic win for ocean conservation. At the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, the final countries—including St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, and…

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Article

THE HIGH SEAS TREATY IS RATIFIED!
A Historic Milestone for Ocean Conservation

By Marine Conservation Institute | September 19, 2025

Today, the global conservation community achieved a historic win for ocean conservation. At the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, the final countries—including St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, and Morocco—deposited the ratifications needed to bring the historic High Seas Treaty—or Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) Agreement—to a total of 61 ratifications by countries. With this threshold reached, the treaty officially enters into force 120 days from today in January 2026 and becomes international law.

Image courtesy of the High Seas Alliance, co-founded by Marine Conservation Institute

What are the High Seas, and why are they worth protecting?  

The High Seas, which encompass the area of the ocean beyond countries’ Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), make up 90% of the ocean’s volume, nearly two-thirds of the total ocean area, and half of our planet’s surface. Often, when we think of the open ocean or “international waters,” we think of a vast expanse of lifeless water—a desert at sea.  

 But this could not be further from the truth. The High Seas are home to an incredible abundance of biodiversity. These waters contain deep sea seamounts bustling with rare and fragile forms of marine life, expansive, lush seagrass meadows, colorful deep-sea corals, and massive aggregations of migratory species such as whales, seabirds, sharks, and tuna. It is also an incredibly important part of the ocean-climate system, with the largest migration of animals on the planet rising from the mesopelagic zone (or “Ocean Twilight Zone”) each night, bringing an estimated 2-6 gigatons of carbon back into the deep ocean where it is locked away for thousands of years.  

And while the High Seas may seem out of reach (and therefore safe from the threats of human activity), they face many of the same—and several unique—threats compared to coastal ecosystems, including harmful fishing practices at an unsustainable scale, shipping, plastic and nutrient pollution, recent threats from deep sea mining and other geoengineering projects, and the multitude of negative impacts caused by climate change: warming waters, lower oxygen levels, and increasing acidity. Protecting the High Seas may seem out of touch with the everyday needs of humans, but it is increasingly vital to ensuring our collective future. 

Why is the High Seas Treaty historic?  

Until this point, no globally encompassing international treaty has enabled countries to propose formal area-based management tools (ABMTs) including marine protected areas (MPAs) to protect the high seas. To date, conservation efforts have been hindered by requirements to seek separate sector-by-sector regulations. Once the treaty enters into force in January, the process of establishing the treaty’s implementation mechanisms, including specialized committees, the Secretariat, and a Clearing House Mechanism to allow for transparent information transfer, will begin. Once these pieces are established, slated to be discussed throughout the third Preparatory Commission in March 2026 (PrepCom 3) and the first Conference of the Parties (COP) by January 2027, countries that have ratified the treaty will be able to:  

  • Establish protections (including MPAs) on the High Seas, protecting vulnerable areas such as seamounts and other biodiversity hotspots  
  • Share profits and other benefits from commercial products sourced from the High Seas (also called “marine genetic resources”)  
  • Mandate programs to level the playing field for marine research and technology for countries in the Global South  
  • Require Environmental Impact Assessments for harmful activities on the High Seas (even those occurring outside of protected areas)  

These four components (which almost represent four mini treaties in themselves)—if implemented effectively—will ideally allow for strong protections for biodiversity on the High Seas while centering the equitable involvement of countries and populations historically underrepresented in multilateral processes, including Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.  

Corals on the Salas y Gómez and Nazca Ridges, one of the High Seas areas considered for protection under the treaty, thanks to the work of the Coral Reefs of the High Seas Coalition. Photo Credit: Enric Sala / National Geographic Society

Notably, establishing High Seas MPAs represents one of the only remaining pathways to reach the global target of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 (per the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Target 3). Current ocean protection levels stand at 9.6% as reported by the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), and our own analysis at Marine Conservation Institute critically indicates that only 2.9% of the ocean exists in areas that are fully or highly protected.  On the High Seas, current protection levels are less than 1%. With the High Seas Treaty in place, Marine Conservation Institute and our allies are working to increase the amount and quality of these protections within the next few years by ushering in the first generation of strong, effectively managed MPAs implemented in areas beyond national jurisdiction.  

 What happens next?  

While reaching 60 ratifications represents a major milestone for the High Seas Treaty, the work is just beginning. To ensure effective, equitable, global implementation, the ultimate goal is to achieve universal ratification, where all UN countries ratify the treaty to both ensure they are bound to its requirements and to provide everyone with a seat at the table during future COPs. Countries that sign the treaty (without ratification) are still committing to its provisions, but there is less of a legal requirement to uphold its measures. The treaty will close for signature on September 20th. Currently, 143 countries have signed.  

 The next major convening for the High Seas Treaty will be Prepcom 3 held in New York in March, followed by the first COP sometime later in 2026 (or early 2027), where it is likely that the first proposals for High Seas MPAs will be submitted—many of them by countries part of the “BBNJ First Movers” group led by Chile.  

 At Marine Conservation Institute, we are determined to continue our decades-long efforts in advancing strong, effective, High Seas protections, including by promoting Motion 035: Protection of Mesopelagic Ecosystem Integrity at the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi this October, improving and updating our High Seas Protection Tracker—a tool which tracks current protections and relevant information for High Seas regulations—and contributing our scientific expertise to the development of the first generation of High Seas MPAs to ensure that they are fully and highly protected, achieving the greatest benefits to biodiversity and people. As a member of the High Seas Alliance, the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, and the Coral Reefs of the High Seas Coalition, we have already begun collaborating with our partners on crucial groundwork for these inaugural efforts and will be sharing updates on our expanded High Seas program in the coming weeks and months. 

 In a moment where the global conservation community faces increasing political challenges both at home and abroad, the High Seas Treaty represents a major reason for hope and inspiration for the future of our ocean and ourselves.  

 Join us to ensure this landmark agreement translates to real protections on the water for us and future generations! 

For more information on our High Seas work, visit: marine-conservation.org/high-seas/ 

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]]> Protected on Paper: The Reality of Ireland’s MPAs https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/the-reality-of-irelands-mpas/ Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:12:57 +0000 https://marine-conservation.org/?p=20074 Article Protected on Paper: The Reality of Ireland's MPAs By Marine Conservation Institute | September 3, 2025 The ‘Real Map of Ireland’ is a term coined to describe the vastness of Irish territory when its seas are taken into account (1). Ten times the size of its land area, Ireland’s seas make it one of the…

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Article

Protected on Paper: The Reality of Ireland's MPAs

By Marine Conservation Institute | September 3, 2025

The ‘Real Map of Ireland’ is a term coined to describe the vastness of Irish territory when its seas are taken into account (1). Ten times the size of its land area, Ireland’s seas make it one of the largest countries in Europe, encompassing a variety of critical marine ecosystems that support a diversity of marine life. 

"The Real Map of Ireland." Image from Marine Institute.

As part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, Ireland has committed to protecting 30% of its expansive marine and coastal area by 2030 (30x30) with at least 10% protected in fully or highly protected areas. Now halfway through the Ocean Decade, approximately 9.4% of Ireland’s seas are designated as protected areas, primarily as Natura 2000 sites under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. Using the science-based MPA Guide framework, the Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas) team analyzed Ireland’s entire Natura 2000 network of MPAs to determine their Stage of Establishment and Level of Protection, linking them to their expected outcomes and revealing the quality of protection in Irish Seas. You can explore the data by clicking the button below and keep reading for a deeper dive into the numbers. 

Paper Parks: A Lack of MPA Implementation 

Our analysis found that, with the exception of Ireland’s only Marine Reserve and four proposed Natura 2000 sites, the Stage of Establishment for all of Ireland’s MPAs is ‘designated’ meaning they exist on paper but have no evidence of implementation on the water. Unfortunately, Ireland has a long history of failing to implement effective measures for its Natura 2000 sites. Natura 2000 designations are established and managed by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and are typically accompanied by a broad set of conservation objectives and a list of Activities Requiring Consent of the minister (ARCs). However, years after legal designation, many sites still lack management plans and targeted conservation measures to address pressures and threats on the species and habitats that they are meant to protect and where necessary, restore (2).  

In addition to a lack of effective planning, concerns about enforcement and capacity have been raised repeatedly. A report published by the Marine Protected Area Advisory Group in 2020 raised concerns about unchecked fishing activity and enforcement capacity within Natura 2000 sites (3). It was found that the entire Marine Unit of the NPWS was staffed by a total of three people, a capacity clearly inadequate for monitoring the 10,099 km2 of sea covered by Ireland’s MPA network (4). Furthermore, in 2022, the Government’s own independent review confirmed the NPWS was unfit to protect Ireland’s wildlife (5). 

Importantly, fishing and aquaculture are not regulated by the NPWS. Those activities are managed by the Department of Aquaculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) and regulated through separate legal instruments called Fisheries Natura Declarations (FNDs). While nearly all MPAs fall short of Implemented, there is evidence that ten FNDs partially overlap with and provide some on-the-water protection of Natura sites. Many of these measures require the use of vessel monitoring systems within specified areas enabling the DAFM’s Sea Fisheries Protection Authority in conjunction with the Fisheries Monitoring Centre, the Naval Service, and the Air Corps, to patrol and enforce fishing restrictions (6). 

Industrial Footprints in Supposed Sanctuaries 

The Activities Requiring Consent for most Irish MPAs are rather narrow and not very protective; however, since nearly all MPAs lacked implemented regulations, it is difficult to evaluate the level of protection afforded by the MPAs. Instead, we analyzed the extent and impact of current industrial-scale activities within their using publicly available geospatial datasets. 

Mining and/or industrial-scale fishing was found to be occurring in a total of 40 of 210 assessed MPAs; however, this should be considered an underestimate because spatial data only exists for offshore fishing, and many Irish Natura 2000 sites are in coastal waters. The most common fishing gears used within MPA bounds were bottom otter trawls and dredges. An offshore seabed pipeline crosses through three MPAs – Broadhaven Bay SAC, Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC, and North-West Irish Sea cSPA – and there are active mining authorizations within the Seas off Wexford and North-West Irish Sea cSPAs. While Ireland’s Natura 2000 sites are intended to safeguard marine species and their habitats, in practice, these areas are subject to some of the most destructive human activities that can cause irreparable harm. 

While some FNDs explicitly prohibit high impact fishing, such as industrial-scale bottom fishing, others are less restrictive, such as seasonal measures or requirements for GPS use. Industrial-scale fishing was still occurring within most FNDs, even those that explicitly prohibited industrial-scale gears. Seven of ten had industrial-scale fishing occurring within their bounds and only three did not. Most industrial-scale fishing occurring used bottom otter trawls and dredges. One FND also has a gas pipeline running through it. 

With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that the most recent biological monitoring on Ireland's Natura 2000 sites from 2019 revealed the majority of marine habitats were inadequate or in bad conservation status (7). ‘Paper parks’, or MPAs that exist on paper but lack regulations, user awareness and/or enforcement cannot deliver positive outcomes for biodiversity (8). Without the implementation of strict, well-enforced regulations, these MPAs are unlikely to see any benefits relative to unprotected waters.  

Cliffs of Moher. Photo by Centech.

Moving Forward 

While the Natura 2000 Network has been an important catalyst for protected area expansion in the European Union, durable, effective measures that overlap EU designations need to arise from national legislation. This has long been known, and a new MPA Bill, originally promised for 2023, was drafted with the intention of giving the government a legal toolbox with which to create effective MPAs that provide meaningful protection. The drafted Bill, however, was subject to considerable delays due to intergovernmental disagreements on uses of the maritime space. As of July 2025, it appears the new administration is exploring whether an amendment to the existing Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021 would be a faster and more effective method for designating MPAs. Ocean advocates see this is a "major downgrade" of the government's commitment to marine protection, questioning whether an amended MAP Act would be robust enough to deliver meaningful and well-managed protected areas, not just more ‘paper parks’ (9).  

Evaluating Ireland’s Natura 2000 network of MPAs using The MPA Guide revealed the disparity between reported and actual protection, which underscores the necessity of including quality metrics in 30x30 tracking. Though Ireland reports 9.4% protection in their national waters, virtually none of it provides any meaningful benefits to biodiversity and industrial activity is ongoing in many ‘protected’ areas. Until clear, strict, and well-enforced laws are in place, the bounty of protected areas that have already been identified for their biological significance and critical status will remain vulnerable to damaging human activities.

 

References 

  1. Marine Institute Ireland. (n.d.). Ireland's marine resource: Real map of Ireland. https://www.marine.ie/site-area/irelands-marine-resource/real-map-ireland-0 
  2. EUR-Lex. (n.d.). Case C-444/21. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:62021CJ0444 
  3. Marine Protected Area Advisory Group. (2020). Expanding Ireland's marine protected area network: A report by the Marine Protected Area Advisory Group. 
  4. Classen, R. (2020). Marine protected areas – restoring Ireland's ocean wildlife II: Report on Ireland's failure to protect marine Natura 2000 sites. Irish Wildlife Trust. 
  5. National Parks and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). Review report with recommendations. https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/npws-review-report-final-with-recommendations.pdf 
  6. Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. (n.d.). About us: Our work. https://www.sfpa.ie/Who-We-Are/About-Us/Our-Work 
  7. National Parks and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). Report on the implementation of the Habitats Directive in Ireland (Article 17). https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/NPWS_2019_Vol1_Summary_Article17.pdf 
  8. Grorud-Colvert, K., Sullivan-Stack, J., Roberts, C., Constant, V., Horta e Costa, B., Pike, E. P., Kingston, N., Laffoley, D., Sala, E., Pikitch, E. K., & Lubchenco, J. (2021). The MPA guide: A framework to achieve global goals for the ocean. Science, 373(6560), eabf0861. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abf0861 
  9. Fair Seas. (2025, July 2). Government u-turn on MPA law. https://fairseas.ie/2025/07/02/government_u-turn_on_mpa_law/ 

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]]> Promises or Protections? What UNOC3’s Commitments Mean for Ocean Conservation https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/promises-or-protections-from-unoc3/ Fri, 20 Jun 2025 18:49:40 +0000 https://marine-conservation.org/?p=19886 Last week, ocean advocates from around the globe came together at the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, to accelerate action towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 and mobilize all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean. So, what was accomplished for ocean conservation? Here’s our recap of some of the major announcements and commitments from the week and their significance for the ocean conservation movement.

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Article

Promises or Protections?

What UNOC3’s Commitments Mean for Ocean Conservation

Photo Credit: Single Fin Photo / Ocean Image Bank

By Marine Conservation Institute | June 20, 2025

Last week, ocean advocates from around the globe came together at the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, to accelerate action towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 and mobilize all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean. So what was accomplished for ocean conservation? Here’s our recap of some of the major announcements and commitments from the week and their significance for the ocean conservation movement.

Announcements and Actions at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference

MPA Announcements

International ocean conferences, like UNOC, often serve as a platform for governments to announce their intentions to create marine protected areas (MPAs). UNOC3 was no different – a total of 12 countries made announcements that involved the proposal of new MPAs or the designation or implementation of existing ones.

If all of these commitments come to fruition—totaling 5,932,538 km2 of new area—an additional 1.6% of the global ocean could be protected.

The vast majority of the announcements simply announced the intention to create a protected area. These proposed or committed MPAs are in the first stage of establishment: formally recognized but not yet affording on-the-water protections. It can take years for MPAs in early stages to reach the point of providing meaningful benefits to marine biodiversity.

While these announcements serve as important indicators of political will, there are no actual protections on the water until MPAs are implemented, and they are not responsive to changing conditions until they are actively managed.

Image: The four stages of establishment for marine protected areas.
Source: The Graphic Guide to Marine Protected Areas.

Screenshot 2025-06-16 164326

Large-Area Proposals

In an ambitious announcement, President Moetai Brotherson of French Polynesia committed to the creation of two new massive MPAs, 220,000 km2 around the Society Islands and 680,000 km2 near the Gambier Islands, totaling 900,000 km2 of newly proposed protections. He also detailed a number of conservation measures to be implemented, including a ban on deep-sea mining and fish-aggregating devices (FADs), and the establishment of 186,000 km2 of artisanal fishing zones around the Austral, Marquesas, Society, and Gambier Islands.

It is noteworthy that this announcement comes nine years after the Austral Islands and seven years after the Marquesas Island protections were originally proposed, and both have yet to come into effect.

Similarly, President Gabriel Boric of Chile announced the 350,000 km2 expansion of two of the world’s largest designated Marine Parks, Nazca-Desventuradas and Mar de Juan Fernández. Designated in 2016 and 2018, respectively, these parks are still awaiting the approval of their management plans and have yet to come into full effect on the water.

While these announcements are welcome signs of progress, the species and habitats within these important areas are not protected until conservation measures are implemented and enforced, or better yet, actively managed.

Implementation Success!

Only one country’s announcement advanced actual protections on the water. On May 1st, 2025, Samoa advanced the establishment of nine proposed MPAs by legally designating four and implementing the other five.

The implementation of these five fully protected MPAs bans mining, dredging, dumping, infrastructure, aquaculture, and fishing and regulates anchoring and non-extractive activities in 33,389 km2 of ocean area, bringing Samoa’s fully protected MPA coverage to 25.6% of its national waters!

The other four designated MPAs are to be implemented in 2027. While commitments and designations help build the momentum towards protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 (30x30), it is this kind of tangible implementation and active management that we need to see to ensure a healthy ocean for the future.

Marine Protected Areas in Samoa.
Source: https://mpatlas.org/countries/WSM/

Screenshot 2025-06-18 171804
Screenshot 2025-06-17 111555

Other MPA Commitments

  • The nations of the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea announced the world’s largest Indigenous-led MPA. The Melanesian Ocean Reserve’s committed area spans 4,628,248 km2 across all three countries.
  • Additionally, the Solomon Islands committed to protecting 27,400 km2 of its national waters in MPAs and marine managed areas (MMAs) around the Temotu and Makira Provinces.
  • Portugal announced its intention to implement Gorringe Bank, an area identified as a Site of Community Importance in 2015 and designated by Portuguese law in 2020. The implementation of this 22,881 km2 MPA will bring Portugal’s national marine protected area coverage to 25%.
  • The Marshall Islands celebrated their 2024 implementation of the Bikar and Bokak National Marine Sanctuary spanning 48,000 km2.
  • Colombia announced the creation of the Serranilla and Baja Nuevo MPA. Previously included in the 60,808 km2 Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, this 3,800 km2 area will receive “exclusive long-term protection status.” While boundaries for this new MPA are yet to be confirmed, the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve is currently made up of two zones with only 1,936 km2 or 3.2% of the site under full protection.
  • Tanzania committed to the creation of two new MPAs, the North-East Pemba Conservation Area (837 km2) and the South-East Pemba Conservation Area (468 km2) that together would total 1,305 km2 of newly protected ocean.
  • Sao Tome & Principe proposed the creation of eight new MPAs covering an area of 93 km2.
  • Greece announced the intention to create two new MPAs and ban trawling within all Marine Parks.

Barriers to Implementation

With these promises, we look hopefully toward the 2030 horizon and emphasize the importance of MPAs’ degree of implementation and level of protection as we inch closer to 30%. If all UNOC3 announcements were implemented with stringent measures and adequate enforcement capacities, the combined area would increase our global number of highly and fully protected MPAs to 4.3%. Crucially, proposing an MPA is only the first step on a difficult road to durable, effective ocean protection. As demonstrated by the cases of the Chilean and French Polynesian MPAs, barriers to implementation can make the realization of these accomplishments difficult for a wide array of reasons.

Financing, namely, is a key piece of ensuring the successful implementation of MPAs. Marine Conservation Institute, et al., released a new report at this year's UNOC, warning of a $14.6 billion shortfall in ocean protection funding and highlighted the urgent need for increased investment and effective action. Moreover, 4.3% is a long shot from the 30% target. Halfway through the UN Ocean Decade, we now have five years to protect the remaining 27.3% of the ocean deemed necessary to preserve marine biodiversity and enhance climate resilience. It’s about time to kick things into high gear.

Explore our interactive Marine Protection Atlas to learn more about the stage of establishment and level of protection of MPAs around the world at mpatlas.org.

Blue Parks

While this may paint a dismal picture of current progress towards international goals, the good news is that there are plenty of inspiring examples of MPAs that are leading the way and demonstrating what it looks like when ocean conservation is done right. Marine Conservation Institute awarded four MPAs the prestigious Blue Park Award at UNOC, including Cahuita National Park (Costa Rica), Gorgona National Natural Park (Colombia), Kaho'olawe Island Reserve (Hawai'i, U.S.), and Shark Fin Bay MPA Network (Taytay, Philippines). To learn more about these ocean success stories and the people behind them, read our recent press release.

Top Left: Dr. Lance Morgan, President, Marine Conservation Institute; Right: Representatives from Parques Nacional Natural Gorgona; Far Left: Frédéric Tardieu, co-founder of the Sulubaaï Foundation, BP Award winner for Shark Fin Bay MPA Network;
Top Left: Dr. Lance Morgan, President, Marine Conservation Institute; Right: Representatives from Parques Nacional Natural Gorgona; Far Left: Frédéric Tardieu, co-founder of the Sulubaaï Foundation, BP Award winner for Shark Fin Bay MPA Network;

High Seas Treaty Ratification Progress

In addition to commitments made to protect areas within national jurisdiction, there was also significant progress towards ratification of the High Seas Treaty, an international framework that will enable the proposal—and eventual implementation—of MPAs in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which make up nearly two-thirds of our ocean and half of our planet.

Nineteen countries deposited their ratifications at UNOC3, bringing the total number of ratifications to 50 with several more in the pipeline. Once 60 ratifications are reached, the treaty will enter into force and become international law. At the current rate of progress, there is a strong likelihood that the treaty will be ratified by the UN General Assembly meeting this fall.

Source: High Seas Alliance
Source: High Seas Alliance

Currently, only 1% of the High Seas is protected—a percentage that has not changed much over the last decade. Under the BBNJ Treaty, there is potential for the percentage to increase at a faster rate over the next few years as countries move through the process of proposing, designating, implementing, and, eventually, actively managing MPAs in ABNJ. In theory, this could lead to the creation of more fully and highly protected MPAs and progress towards the 30x30 goal. In practice, many questions remain as to what these protections will look like on the water and how they will lead to equitable benefits for biodiversity and people.

To learn more about where the first generation of High Seas MPAs may be established and existing High Seas protections, such as fishery closures through Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and protections from deep-sea mining, check out Marine Conservation Institute’s High Seas Protection Tracker.

Protecting the Deep 

Harmful extractive activities threatening deep-sea ecosystems—such as prospective deep-sea mining and destructive bottom trawling—were a major focus at the conference, with countries facing mounting pressure from civil society and ocean advocates to halt these practices or prevent them from starting altogether.

Deep Sea Mining

In his opening statement, French President Emmanuel Macron described deep-sea mining as “madness” and prompted world leaders to call for a moratorium on the practice. Several more countries voiced their support for a moratorium, bringing the total number to 37.

This momentum comes at a critical moment, as other countries, including the United States, accelerate efforts to exploit deep-sea ecosystems for their resources both within and outside national jurisdiction.

Source: Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
Source: Deep Sea Conservation Coalition

Bottom Trawling

Meanwhile, bottom trawling—a highly destructive fishing method—remains alarmingly widespread, even within implemented MPAs, particularly across the EU.

While the conference saw some new commitments aimed at restricting bottom trawling in protected waters, overall progress remains slow and enforcement inconsistent. Despite mounting scientific evidence and public pressure, meaningful action to fully eliminate this practice from MPAs is still lagging behind expectations. Here were some examples:

  • France acknowledged the incompatibility of bottom trawling with the protection of biodiversity and committed to protecting 4% of national waters from the activity (an increase from the current 0.1%). This announcement was met with criticism, with many groups claiming that this showed a lack of commitment and ambition.
  • Denmark proposed a law to ban bottom trawling in 17,000 km2 of its protected areas (over 17% of its national waters).
  • UK Environment Secretary Steve Reed announced a ban on bottom trawling covering more than 30,000 km2, about half of English MPAs.

On World Ocean Day (June 8), Marine Conservation Institute, in partnership with the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) and the International Programme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO), urged scientists worldwide to sign an open letter to the UN demanding that leaders honor longstanding commitments to stop bottom trawling. We remain hopeful that world leaders will hear our plea to end an activity that directly undermines efforts to protect marine biodiversity.

Overall, the third UN Ocean Conference witnessed some meaningful progress and commitments towards effective, equitable ocean protection. The next challenge, however, will be to translate these commitments into meaningful action and implementation, turning promises into protections. For years, the international community has been coming together at conferences to sign agreements, adopt frameworks, and make public announcements for future actions. Today, we are in the 11th hour—the time to act is now.

At Marine Conservation Institute, we will continue to advocate for and track the implementation and effectiveness of MPAs as we strive to protect 30% of our ocean by 2030.

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