Description

Oceans cover over 70 percent of the earth’s surface, thereby playing a crucial role in human welfare by providing social, economic and environmental benefits to the world’s growing population. Increased human activity is placing significant and growing stress on marine ecosystems, evident in increased severe weather events, decreased fish stocks from overfishing and habitat destruction.

An important tool to address the negative impacts of human activity on the oceans is through the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which are defined as areas of clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.