Numerous ocean conservation pledges have been announced, including French Polynesia extending marine protection across nearly 5 million square kilometers of its exclusive economic zone. Additionally, the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) involves Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama agreeing to establish a transboundary safe passage of over 500,000 square kilometers for migratory species. There is also growing recognition of the contributions of traditional stewards like Indigenous communities and coastal populations.
Despite these announcements, challenges remain. “Paper parks,” protected only in name, are a concern, with instances of industrial fishing vessels entering protected areas and abandoned fishing gear found in these waters. Research combining academic literature and field reporting indicates that marine conservation outcomes are most likely to succeed when effective enforcement and management are in place.
Source: Mongabay