Marine Protected Areas Coverage
Marine areas protected for biodiversity conservation, as a percentage of total marine territorial area.
Quick Reference
Unit
% of marine area
Category
Environment
Metric Code
marine_protected_areas
How It's Calculated
Total area of marine protected areas (MPAs - including exclusive economic zones, territorial seas, and internal waters with legal protection for biodiversity) divided by total marine territorial waters, multiplied by 100. Based on World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and national submissions to CBD. Includes IUCN categories I-VI and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).
Why It Matters
Marine protected areas conserve ocean biodiversity, protect critical habitats (coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds), support fisheries recovery through spillover effects, and provide climate adaptation benefits (blue carbon storage). Oceans produce 50% of Earth's oxygen and absorb 30% of CO2 emissions. Aichi Target 11 set 10% ocean protection by 2020; new Kunming-Montreal framework targets 30% by 2030.
Understanding the Values
Very Low: < 3% (minimal ocean protection) Low: 3-10% (below global targets - expansion needed) Moderate: 10-17% (meeting Aichi target - progress toward 30x30) Good: 17-30% (strong protection - ambitious) Excellent: > 30% (30x30 achieved - Palau 80%, New Caledonia 97%) Aichi Target 11 (2020): 10% ocean protected Kunming-Montreal Target 3 (2030): 30% ocean protected Global average: ~8.3% (2023) Note: Large MPAs in remote areas (e.g., Pacific island EEZs) can inflate national percentages.
Related Metrics
Threatened Species Count
Total number of species threatened with extinction (IUCN Red List categories: Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable).
Forest Area
Land area covered by forests, expressed as a percentage of total land area.
Protected Areas Coverage
Terrestrial and marine areas protected for biodiversity conservation, as a percentage of total territorial area.
Data Quality & Coverage
Coverage: 232 coastal/island countries Update frequency: Annual updates to WDPA Sources: UN Data / UNEP-WCMC / FAO Limitations: Quality varies widely - some MPAs are "paper parks" with no enforcement, others have effective no-take zones. Does not measure management effectiveness or fishing restrictions. Large remote MPAs (e.g., Pacific island EEZs) may have minimal staff or budget. "Blue halos" (protection around small islands) can inflate percentages. High seas (beyond EEZs) not included in national totals.