A new initiative called Revive Our Ocean, launched by the NGO Dynamic Planet and National Geographic’s Pristine Seas program, aims to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by the decade’s end. It will assist local communities in establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) in coastal regions, initially focusing on countries like Britain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Mexico, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
The initiative targets issues such as overfishing and climate impacts, with experts noting that MPAs can improve fishing yields and boost tourism. Kristin Rechberger, founder of Revive Our Ocean, emphasized their economic benefits, stating, “Marine protected areas are good businesses.” However, to meet the “30 by 30” target, over 190,000 MPAs need to be established, highlighting the slow progress in creating these protected areas.
This week, countries are gathering in New York to discuss the implementation of a global treaty aimed at protecting ocean biodiversity, which requires ratification by 60 nations to take effect. Despite over 100 countries signing the agreement, only 21 have ratified it. Environmental groups stress the urgency of ratification to meet conservation goals, as only about 8% of oceans are currently protected.
