Despite growing concerns over the health of global fisheries and marine ecosystems, less than one percent of the oceans are currently protected, compared to 12 percent of total land area. Participants of last week's Marine Summit gathered to share scientific evidence of increasing human pressures on the world's oceans. Expressing grave concern over the pace and scale of changes occurring in marine environments, the Summit is urging governments to increase the extent and connectivity of marine protected areas (MPAs) by setting aside at least 10 percent of oceans under national jurisdiction through legally binding agreements.
Old and New Threats to Marine Ecosystems
Historically, pollution and overfishing have been the greatest threats to the world's oceans. For example, coastal "dead zones"--the result of pollution from agricultural and industrial runoff--have created vast oxygen-free areas where marine life now ceases to exist. The consequences of unsustainable fishing levels are more widespread: 25 percent of global fisheries are now overexploited or depleted.
These pressures reduce the ability of marine ecosystems to adapt to the new threats posed by global climate change. Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification are among the predicted outcomes of global warming, which will likely disrupt food chains, alter the distribution of species, and reduce habitat quality.
Marine Protected Areas Worldwide
Marine priority ecoregion: biologically sensitive and diverse areas where the World Wildlife Fund is cooperating with governments and other organizations to establish protected areas.
Source: World Wildlife Fund, 2005
Promoting Marine Protected Areas
"Marine protected area" is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of conservation tactics and goals. They can be established to protect certain species, entire ecosystems, or to benefit commercial fisheries management. Existing studies indicate that well-managed MPAs increase the number and diversity of marine life, which creates "spillover effects" outside of the protected area. However, MPAs present a number of unique challenges that remain to be fully addressed by conservation experts. For example, enforcement is much more complicated than on land, where boundaries are easier to delineate. Overall, additional research is needed to fully understand the costs and benefits of MPAs as a conservation tool.
Objectives of the Marine Summit
Last week's Marine Summit, which was convened by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), expressed an urgent need to accelerate the pace of marine protection. Specifically, Summit participants will:
- create a "Marine Plan of Action" to set global priorities;
- consolidate and share information about MPAs; and
- increase awareness regarding the importance of the world's oceans and the role of MPAs in conservation.
RELATED LINKS:
World Conservation Union (IUCN) Global Marine Program
World Wildlife Fund resources on marine protected areas
Ocean and Climate Change Institute
EarthTrends
Fisheries Production Statistics
Total number of marine protected areas by country
Data Table: Protected Areas 2005 (pdf)
News: Migratory Species a Major Challenge for Fisheries Management
