A groundbreaking study conducted by Dynamic Planet and National Geographic Pristine Seas has revealed that to meet the global target of protecting 30 percent of the ocean by 2030, the world must create 85 new marine protected areas (MPAs) each day.
This ambitious 30×30 goal, set during the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Conference (COP15) in December 2022, has become a critical milestone for countries around the world, including those in the Pacific region, where the ocean plays a central role in sustaining life and livelihoods.
The findings underscore a significant gap between current efforts and the steps needed to meet the target.
Globally, only about 8 percent of the oceans are currently protected, with just 3 percent of these areas offering high levels of protection. The study calls for the creation of approximately 190,000 small MPAs in coastal areas, including those across the Pacific Islands, and 300 large MPAs in remote offshore regions worldwide to achieve the 2030 target.
