Marine Protected Areas(MPAs) can conserve biodiversity and improve nutritional security | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
News Today Logo

Marine Protected Areas(MPAs) can conserve biodiversity and improve nutritional security

Posted 05 Nov 2024

2 min read

A study highlights  that MPAs management and governance can conserve biodiversity and improve nutritional security.

Key highlights of the study 

  • Contribution of Sustainable-use MPAs: 13.6% of global catch, 14% of fisheries revenue and 13.7% of nutrient supply.
    • 7% of total global catches are represented from within exclusive economic zones (EEZs).
  • Establishing MPAs in nutritionally vulnerable coastal communities: It  can improve human health and nutrition.

Marine Protected Areas and their significance 

  • MPAs are essentially a space in the ocean where human activities are more strictly regulated than the surrounding waters (as per ENVIS)
  • These places are given special protections for natural or historic marine resources by local, state, territorial, native, regional, or national authorities.     
  • Significance
    • Act as reservoirs of genetic material for natural or assisted recovery of areas affected by pollution
    • Crucial refuges for countless marine species: shields them from threats like overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution.
    • Reference sites serving as a baseline for scientific research: offers insights into marine ecology
    • Acts as sites for nature-based recreation and tourism
    • Helps in climate change mitigation and adaptation
  • Challenges in conservation of MPAs: Difficulties in enforcing regulations, requirement of substantial resources, impacts livelihoods of local fishing communities.

Global Initiatives to Protect Marine Biodiversity

  • Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to protect 30% of the planet’s oceans and lands by 2030 
  • Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (High Seas Treaty)

Marine Protected Areas in India

  • Gulf of Mannar Marine Park (Tamil Nadu), Lothian Island(West Bengal), Gahirmatha (Odisha)
  • Tags :
  • EEZ
  • Marine Protected Areas
  • Ocean Conservation
Watch News Today