Protecting Ocean Habitats

Today, less than 10% of the Earth’s ocean areas are protected in any kind of marine, benthic (sea bottom), or other protected area. Achieving the United Nations goal of 30% protection by 2030 will require a significant increase in marine conservation and protection.

But such a major global expansion of marine protected areas (MPAs) must be characterized by science-based decision making and thoughtful dialogue among all relevant parties, to ensure an inclusive process that results in not just ecological benefits, but also socio-economic benefits to fishing communities that are within and impacted by the MPAs.

Industry participation is key

Collaboration among local, national, and international actors is vital to ensure the effective design and long-term success of MPAs. And, from the start, those actors should include all levels of the seafood value chain.

At the local level, fishers, fishing and aquaculture communities, and domestic market players should be involved in the design and structure of an MPA, to ensure that the needs of fishing communities are balanced with those of the environment. Creative solutions that minimize disruption to traditional and responsibly managed fisheries will help ensure buy-in from all stakeholders and create a constituency of support moving forward. The most successful MPAs include a mix of no-take zones where all fishing is prohibited, buffer zones where some level of fishing activity is allowed, and rehabilitation areas that prioritize rebuilding depleted fish stocks and degraded habitats.

At the national and international levels, market actors – including buyers, importers, and retailers – can play a pivotal role in supporting effective and equitable MPAs. Through buyer requirements and overall market forces, they can influence the way that MPAs are designed, implemented, and sustained in the long term. And they can provide incentives and support for long-term and continuous engagement in monitoring and management of the MPAs, to ensure enforcement of restrictions and prevention of harmful activities, such as IUU fishing.

The SFP advantage

SFP is committed to work with the fishing industry and other stakeholders to ensure MPA designation is effective, fair, and robust. Through our market relationships, we offer a unique ability to bring our corporate partners and other seafood industry actors to the table and help make them champions of marine protection. We provide industry information and guidance to understand the long-term ecological, social, and economic benefits of marine protected areas, and to recognize that thriving fisheries can and should be a key part of effective marine conservation.