National Parks for the Ocean

One of America’s greatest ideas is our national park system and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are the same idea for our seas. They are one of the best conservation tools we have. When MPAs are well designed and well enforced, they allow the ocean to rest, recover, and thrive.

There has been a vast upsurge in the creation of MPAs around the globe. In the past ten years we have quintupled the area under protection. We now have about 8% protected, but much work remains to be done to ensure that these designations are more than mere ‘paper parks’.

Scientists are in agreement that we need to protect at least 30 percent of the ocean by 2030. By pursuing this ambitious, but achievable goal, we can ensure a sustainable future for our seas—where global fisheries, marine wildlife, coral reefs and other habitats are rejuvenated.