A new study found that despite governments issuing designations to conserve oceans across the globe, a significant portion of the largest marine protected areas aren’t managed to provide the highest levels of protection.
The study spearheaded by the Marine Conservation Institute, which was published in Conservation Letters Thursday morning, examined the world’s 100 largest marine protected areas, finding not all areas are equally shielded from harmful activities.
Some designated areas allow activities like oil and gas exploration, commercial fishing or aquaculture, while others are “highly protected,” the study found.
For example, the study found about a quarter of the ocean in the 100 largest marine protected areas isn’t actually covered by implemented conservation regulations, while one-third of the examined ocean area allowed industrial activities.
