MongabayNearly 200 nations pledged in 2022 to protect 30% of Earth by 2030. By 2025, 9.6% of the ocean is covered by marine protected areas, up from 8.4% in 2024.
But only 3.2% are highly or fully protected—raising concerns about “paper parks” that still allow destructive activities.
Mongabay chronicled some of the progress made toward protecting the oceans in 2025 in this list compiled by Shanna Hanbury.
#news #oceans #marinelife #marineprotectedareas #conservation
Marine protected areas expanded in 2025, but still far from 30% goal
In December 2022, nearly 200 nations committed to protecting 30% of Earth’s lands and waters by 2030. As of 2025, about 9.6% of the world’s oceans are now covered by marine protected areas, according to the latest global tracking data by the World Database on Protected Areas. This marks a 1.2% increase in 2025, up […]