Thursday, October 28, 2010

The 10% Target: Where do we stand?

According to a recent report by IUCN (Toropova, et al 2010, Chapter Three):

• Current MPAs number 5878 and cover over 4.2 million km2 of ocean (1.17% of the global ocean surface).
• MPA coverage of continental shelf areas is now 4.32%, and 2.86% of waters within 200nm of coastlines.
• A few large MPAs have accounted for the greatest increase in coverage over the last 5 years.
• Only 12 out of 190 states and territories with marine jurisdictions have an MPA coverage of 10% or more of the areas under their jurisdiction.

Look at the list below (page 35 in the report). Notice that MARIANAS TRENCH MARINE NATIONAL MONUMENT is listed as the fourth largest MPA in the world. The world is showing that MPAs are important to all peoples around the world. So now, how can we get back to the top of this list? Would we want to?

1 comment:

Angelo Villagomez said...

I haven't read it, but does the study take into acount the level of protections? For example, 90% of the Mariana Trench Monument isn't a marine protected area.