New Delhi: Not just a beacon of hope, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are also a crucial lifeline in the wild west of the high seas. Their role in safeguarding marine ecosystems from ever-looming human threats like overfishing, habitat destruction and pollution is not just critical but indispensable to the long-term sustainability of our oceans. Unsurprisingly, they also offer some of the best diving experiences in the world. From countries leading in marine conservation to marine parks with more biodiversity than the Amazon rainforest, these top nine marine protected areas are a testament to their unparalleled significance.

9 Marine Protected Areas in the world

• Galápagos Marine Reserve, Ecuador
• Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area, Indonesia
• Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji
• Palau Island Marine Sanctuary
• Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica
• Hanifaru Bay Marine Protected Area, The Maldives
• Apo Island Marine Sanctuary, Philippines
• Fakarava Biosphere Reserve, French Polynesia
• The Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico

Do marine protected areas need our attention?

A recent analysis of the world’s 100 largest marine protected areas (MPAs), published in May 2024 in Conservation Letters, serves as a wake-up call. It indicates that governments need to meet their promise of adequate biodiversity protection due to the slow implementation of management strategies and a failure to restrict the most impactful activities. This highlights the urgent need for action and support to ensure the effectiveness of these crucial conservation areas.

The current situation is not all bad. Despite the challenges, one-third of the area designated within these Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provides a level of protection likely to yield meaningful conservation benefits. This potential for positive change gives us reason for hope and optimism amid the current conservation crisis.

• One-quarter of the area within these MPAs still needs to be implemented.
• Over one-third of the area within these MPAs allows industrial or other highly impactful activities.
• Most large, fully and highly protected areas are in isolated overseas territories.