Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are the aquatic equivalent of terrestrial reserves. They are legally set aside for protection from human disturbances, such as fishing, industrial exploitation, and recreational activities (depending on the type of MPA). They help alleviate fishing mortality, reduce the harvesting of non-target species, and ensure fishing gear does not impact habitat. In addition to protecting biodiversity, MPAs aid in the restoration of commercially viable fish species.
The Marine Protected Areas (MPA) indicator measures the fraction of a country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) it protects. Protected area criteria was taken from MPA Global, a database developed in conjunction with the Sea Around Us Project. The indicator was calculated by comparing the area of MPA (km2) to the country’s total area of EEZ, as reported in the Global Maritime Boundaries database. Our target is the protection of 10% of EEZ waters, in accordance with the goals set by the Convention on Biological Diversity. Land-locked countries with no EEZ territory have scores averaged around this indicator (see methodology for a full discussion of weighting).
