Study shows marine protected areas improve health, wealth of nearby communities

Protecting the ocean and providing livelihoods and food security do not have to be mutually exclusive. A new study, led by the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), shows that limiting human activity in parts of the ocean can enhance the health of marine environments and the well-being of nearby coastal communities, highlighting the potential value of these marine protected areas (MPAs) in achieving multiple sustainable development goals around the world. 

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