Global Status
The marine protected area network is still in its infancy. As of October 2010, the data gathered by the WDPA indicated there were approximately 6,800 MPAs around the world, which embodies 1.17% of global ocean area. The same data also assessed exclusive economic zones (EEZs) – edges of territorial seas to 200 nautical miles out - and found 2.86% of these zones to be protected. Territorial seas – out to 12 nautical miles from a state's coast – are more highly protected, with 6.3% of these protected. Marine protected areas is often perceived as a relative term. Most pointedly the term protected, what the area is protected against is oftentimes not specified. Many of the marine protected areas prohibit the use of harmful fishing techniques yet only 0.01% of the ocean's area is designated as a "no take zone". This statistic is deemed as unacceptable with the projected goal lying at 20%-30% of the world's marine environment being designated as a no take area. Several institutions at the local, community, federal, and national levels have taken steps in the implementation of no take area policy in hopes that the 20-30% goal can be reached. The following data gives a regional representation of international status on marine protected areas.
Read more about this topic: Marine Protected Area
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