Drivers of Marine Protection

Nearly 200 countries have committed to expanding marine protection under global biodiversity targets, including the goal of conserving 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. Yet little is known about why marine protected areas are established in some places and not others. Are protected areas primarily located in ecologically important regions, or are political and economic interests also shaping conservation decisions? Focusing on the Coral Triangle, this project examines the drivers of marine protected area placement and how conservation priorities translate into spatial protection. This project is funded by the NWO XS grant 406.XS.26.01.032.