Only 4 percent of the world’s oceans are protected, reveals study

In the year 2010, more than 200 nations in Japan adopted the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. As per the targets, by the year 2020, around 10 percent of the oceans should be protected. However, despite the global efforts, presently, only 4 percent of the world’s oceans lie in the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

According to the researchers from the University of British Columbia, more areas of the world’s oceans need to be protected so that the 2020 goal is achieved. To achieve the goal of biodiversity, much more than just protecting 10 percent of the oceans need to be done.

MPAs are areas that are protected mainly for the conservation needs so that natural and cultural resources are protected.  The findings of UBC Institute for Ocean and Fisheries explain that significant chunk of the oceans still needs to be protected.

There is also a need to increase the percentage of no-take MPAs where extraction of any kind, living or non-living including seaweed, fish, oil and gas is strictly prohibited. Presently, only 0.5 percent of the oceans come under the no-take zone.

There has been a significant improvement in the last decade. In the year 2006, only 0.65 percent oceans were under the MPAs. However, more MPAs will result in protecting and improving the health of the marine environment.

Image Credit: telegraph.co.uk