Beyond
the surface
Explore the world of marine protection
Nations and communities must increase their use of marine protected areas (MPAs) to achieve the UN Global Biodiversity Framework goal of safeguarding 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030.
Dive into our unique exploration of ten MPAs and marine conservation areas to discover the best practice approaches that deliver success.
How do we go beyond the surface?
71%
of the Earth’s surface is covered by water
97%
of the world’s water is found in the ocean
MPAs prioritise conservation and limit harmful activities so that ecosystems can recover and flourish. However, only a fraction of the ocean is currently protected, and many existing MPAs do not provide enough protection.
To meet the 2030 UN target, governments, communities, international organisations and the private sector must work together to significantly increase the number of MPAs while strengthening their governance and enforcement.
How much of the ocean is currently protected?
18,208
marine protected areas
8.2%
of the ocean is protected, covering almost 30m sq km
3%
of the ocean is designated as either fully or highly protected
61%
of the ocean lies outside national jurisdictions, making it harder to protect
Why is protecting the ocean so critical?
The ocean affects the life of every human being, no matter where they live. MPAs that are well designed, successfully implemented and strongly regulated can deliver extensive environmental, economic and social benefits. They enrich biodiversity, provide sustainable resources and livelihoods, and can even help to combat the effects of climate change.
Activities that protect the ocean
Habitat conservation
Responsible fishing
Dumping prevention
Mining control
Debris and pollutionremoval
Noise reduction
Countdown to 2030
Urgent action is needed to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030—restoring biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience and supporting communities that rely on the sea. The 30x30 UN target is within reach—but only if we act now. Explore ten MPAs and marine conservation areas to discover best practices worldwide.
Go beyond the surface
A growing resource for marine policymakers
Economist Impact’s mission to catalyse change and enable progress is matched by Blancpain’s commitment to marine preservation, which includes its role as a founding partner of the Pristine Seas initiative with National Geographic.
Explore ten MPAs to discover insights about their conservation approaches, and the environmental, economic and social benefits they generate.
