Report | June 12, 2015
Oceana MedNet. 100 reasons to reach 10% target
One of the main errors made in marine conservation on a global scale is delaying the declaration of Marine Protected Areas (MPA). The reason used to justify this delay is usually a lack of scientific information. As a result of this, there is a significant imbalance between protected land and protected marine areas. To date, only 1% of the world’s oceans are protected, compared to 11% of land.
Despite the increase in the number of MPAs declared during the last decade, the rhythm has been excessively slow to comply with the objectives set out by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to protect at least 10% of the world’s marine eco-regions before 2012, with the consequent extension of the deadline to 2020. However, thanks to recent advances in marine research, information is now available about the geological and oceanographic characteristics that generate vulnerable habitats with high levels of biodiversity. Thus, and based on the application of the Precautionary Principle, there is no longer any excuse for further delay.
The consequence of the delay in declaring MPAs along with the well-known problems of the overexploitation of fishing resources, species in danger of extinction, climate change, chronic pollution, the destruction of habitats, the appearance of invasive species, etc., has led to the accelerated loss of marine biodiversity, one that is likely irreversible in some cases. Faced with this situation, Oceana is committed to urging governments to act urgently in favor of the conservation of our marine environment.

