Large Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been shown to be far more effective than smaller ones in conserving biodiversity and ecosystems. New research from the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean shows that size matters: large reserves can fully encompass the movements of wide-ranging species and secure critical feeding and breeding grounds.
Greece has announced plans to create two expansive national marine parks—one in the Aegean Sea and another in the Ionian Sea—signalling a significant step forward in its environmental protection strategy. The move is part of the country's efforts to meet international biodiversity targets by 2030 and will expand Greece’s marine protected areas from 22% to 30% of its territorial waters.
This move strengthens Tanzania’s contribution to the global “30x30” target—protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030—and demonstrates the country’s commitment to science-based and community-driven conservation. The new MPAs include:
• 70 km² of climate-resilient coral reefs, critical for biodiversity;
• 26 km² of seagrass beds supporting fisheries and carbon storage;
• 34 km² of mangrove forest, vital for shoreline protection;
• Habitat for threatened sharks and rays.
According to Kirah Forman-Castillo, the national coordinator of MarAlliance’s Belize programme, fishers have reported seeing more sharks than ever in the waters of Belize, including in areas where they were previously rare.
Climate change, ocean warming, impacts on marine biodiversity and the importance of marine protected areas (MPAs) prompted Greenpeace Italy to embark on an expedition to Liguria in late June 2024. Valentina Di Miccoli, a marine biologist on the expedition, tells the story.
The marine reserve is located in the Atlantic Ocean at the southwestern tip of the island of El Hierro, the westernmost of the Canary Islands. The area is known for its exceptional marine biodiversity, including sharks, dolphins, tuna, rays and turtles. The waters are calm because they are sheltered from the trade winds, and its tropical nature is home to species not found in the rest of the archipelago. The almost complete kelp cover and the diversity of the seabed support a high level of biodiversity. The area is also an essential habitat for beaked whales.
What does this new designation mean for the Lake Ontario community, New York State, and all those who care about protecting our nation’s most iconic waters? It will:
The study, spanning 66 marine reserves across 37 countries worldwide, sheds light on the stark contrast in shark abundance between fully protected zones and areas open to industrial fishing. Reef-dwelling species such as Caribbean reef, grey reef, whitetip reef, and nurse sharks exhibited nearly double the population density within fully protected marine reserves compared to fishing-permitted zones.
In a significant environmental move, Greece has announced plans to invest €780 million in the creation and maintenance of marine parks across the country. These initiatives aim to protect marine biodiversity and make Greece a leader in marine conservation in Europe, including a ground-breaking ban on bottom trawling in all marine protected areas.
The findings from UC Santa Barbara’s Marine Science Institute provide compelling evidence of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) value to the scuba diving industry and local economies. As global leaders aim to protect 30% of land and water by 2030, understanding the diverse benefits of MPAs is crucial for informed decision-making and sustainable coastal management.
