Marine Protected Areas
Investigating the best and worst practices of Marine Protected areas, and how they can be improved and used as a powerful tool for conservation
35%
OF SALT MARSHES
have been degraded or lost worldwide
30%
50%
29%
89%
OF MANGROVES
OF CORAL REEFS
OF SEA GRASSES
OF OYSTER REEFS
What does it mean?
"PAPER PARKS"
A paper park is an area with designated conservation protection status, but with little actual implementation of environmental management or protection measures. This can stem from process or governance issues, or from weak regulations and lack of enforcement.
A 2020 report by NGO Oceana revealed that many European Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) function as "paper parks," offering minimal real protection. Of the 3,449 Natura 2000 MPAs assessed, 96% allowed destructive activities inside their boundaries and 86% were impacted by damaging fishing gear.