Abéné MPA, within the West Africa Marine Ecoregion, protects a stretch of Senegalese coastline south of The Gambia. Its primary objective is to rebuild fish stocks that had fallen to critical levels as a result of overfishing, rising sea levels and pollution.

Despite being one of the world’s largest coral atolls, Aldabra’s remote location and lack of freshwater make it one of the least impacted by human activity. Formed from a ring of islands surrounding a central lagoon, this 155 sq km atoll has a unique tropical ecosystem.

Cordillera de Coiba is a series of nine underwater volcanic mountain ranges with 24 seamounts and an abyssal trench. In total, the Managed Resources Area protects almost 68,000 sq km of Panama’s southern offshore waters in the Pacific Ocean.

The Galápagos archipelago has long been of significant importance for evolutionary biology. The volcanic islands sit at the junction of several ocean currents, giving rise to a unique and highly biodiverse marine ecosystem that includes many endangered species.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park includes the world’s largest coral reef system, which is the largest structure made by living organisms. Equivalent in size to Germany, this popular destination encompasses 900 islands and 3,000 reefs, and supports over 9,000 marine species.

Gwaii Haanas protects the southern islands of the Haida Gwaii archipelago off the coast of British Columbia. The integrated National Park, Marine Conservation Area and Haida Heritage Site are known for their rich flora, fauna and cultural legacy.

Hallyeohaesang National Park is a group of six protected areas spread across 120 km of southern coastline. Together, they safeguard approximately 540 sq km of land and marine habitats along a partially submerged mountain range.

The Marine National Monument protects a vast stretch of ocean around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The region is home to over 7,000 species, including many threatened and endangered plants and animals. It is also culturally significant for local communities.

This remote MPA spans two sub-Antarctic volcanic islands in the Southern Ocean. Scarcity of land in the region makes the Prince Edward Islands vital for the many species of seal and seabird that breed there, including vast penguin populations.

The Revillagigedo Archipelago of four volcanic islands lies south of the Baja peninsula in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Largely uninhabited, this popular diving destination supports an extensive array of marine life, including dolphins, manta rays, sharks and whales.

St Kilda is a remote archipelago that supports a rich undersea biodiversity and up to a million seabirds during breeding season. The islands are a World Heritage Site, a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area.

Torre Guaceto is a conservation initiative on the Puglia coastline of the Adriatic Sea, which is an increasingly crowded part of the Mediterranean. The MPA uses a collaborative approach to marine protection in partnership with local fishing businesses.

Lying at the centre of the Sulu Sea, the rich ecosystem of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park supports the biodiversity of the entire region. Its coral reefs are inhabited by over 1,200 marine species, approximately 180 of which are listed as vulnerable or endangered.

Tun Mustapha Park spans an archipelago of over 50 islands off the northern coast of Borneo. As one of the region’s most important fishing grounds, it operates a multi-use approach to management that balances conservation objectives with economic needs.

Ytre Hvaler National Park’s striking underwater topography supports many diverse marine habitats and coastal species in its shallow waters and deep trenches. Conservation work in the area contributes to ongoing efforts to restore Norway’s Oslofjord region.