Marine protected areas – blooming flora and fauna and a great variety of animal species, no boats with tourists, no fishing, no crowded shores. That’s what the majority of people imagine protected areas to be. It seems as if nature is recovering as if we have found a way to restore and repair those parts of the world that have been increasingly destroyed over the decades.
Yet, when it comes to the sea, we are faced with a dangerous phenomenon that unfortunately works well on the human brain: out of mind, out of sight. Since the vast majority of people do not see the destruction and the beauty that the underwater world holds, even areas that are protected by law still suffer from human impact. The human footprint on the marine world is often simply not visible. In theory, there are rules for the protection and surveillance of these areas, though,as reality shows, they are practically non-existent.
The ocean changes, whether we realize it or not.
Almost every year of my childhood, in the spring, my father would take me camping in the south of Istria, Croatia. I would spend peaceful mornings on the rocky shores, looking for crabs and other animals seeking shelter from the mossy sea.
The quiet coastline of Kap Kamenjak lay far from noisy crowds; it was just me, my camera, and the wild beauty of the landscape. But the once tranquil camping village became more and more crowded, and the serenity of Kamenjak slowly faded.
Now, many years later as an adult I am not walking peacefully along the muddy roads of the Kap anymore, but cars are driving by, soaking my clothes in dust from head to toe. The shore and shallow bays can no longer be explored for tiny animals, but are crowded with children on their way to the monstrous inflatable fun islands that linger in the water. Fishing boats that left the bay in the morning come back in the evening full of fish, sailing boats from all over the world anchor where Kamenjak bays once lay in peace and silence. And all of this happened despite the fact that Kamenjak was declared a marine reserve in 2013.
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are supposed to protect places like Kamenjak, providing a safe haven for species like the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), habitats like sandy bottoms and sea caves. But what happens when “protected” becomes just another empty label? How can these places truly thrive if illegal fishing, tourism pressure and habitat destruction continue within their borders?
According to the IUCN, an MPA is any area of intertidal or subtidal terrain, together with its overlying waters and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, set aside by law or other effective means for the purpose of protecting part or all of the surrounding environment.
Or as the European Environment Agency puts it: Marine protected areas (MPAs) are geographically defined zones for which conservation objectives have been established. They form a globally interconnected system for conserving biodiversity and maintaining the health of marine ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem services.
In 2015, representatives of 193 countries signed the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 “Life under Water”. The goal was to have ten percent of Europe’s natural waters under the protection of MPA programs by 2020. Even today, in 2024, we are at less than eight percent. The major threats to our oceans – overfishing (illegal, ghost, and destructive fishing), plastic pollution, noise pollution, habitat destruction, and ocean acidification – continue to thrive even in areas designated as “protected”. A striking example of failed protection is the continued use of bottom trawling in MPAs. This method remains one of the most destructive forms of legal fishing. It rips apart the ocean floor and is comparable to the effects of dynamite fishing – an illegal practice in most parts of the world. Germany, for example, has allowed the practice to continue in its MPAs despite international pressure to ban it. In contrast, Sweden has set a new standard by banning bottom trawling in its waters by 2020, proving that meaningful change is possible.
Another grim example is commercial whaling in Norway and Iceland. Despite international bans and public outcry, these countries continue to exploit legal loopholes that allow them to kill whales under the guise of “scientific research”. Sea Shepherd, for example, has been actively involved in campaigns to expose and stop these practices, intercepting illegal whaling ships and documenting violations.
On top of that, labels placed on seafood products are often misleading. The “dolphin-safe” label, for example, is supposed to mean that no dolphins were harmed in the fishing process. However, as marine conservation organizations have exposed, this label is often not as transparent as it seems. There are also cases where banned or overfished species are simply sold under different names to avoid detection – further undermining conservation efforts.
In conclusion, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are essential for conserving marine biodiversity and ensuring the sustainability of fish stocks.
But too many MPAs exist only on paper.
Without proper enforcement, adequate funding and real political will, they will continue to be ineffective at best and harmful at worst. The “Sea Shepherds” of the world can’t patrol every inch of the ocean, but their work highlights a fundamental truth: real protection requires real action. It is time to strengthen legislation, strengthen international enforcement, and prioritize the health of the oceans in both word and deed.
The solutions to this problem lie in a multi-pronged approach:
Stronger regulation and enforcement: Governments must prioritize enforcement within MPAs, providing resources for patrolling, monitoring, and immediate consequences for violations. Banning destructive fishing practices: Banning practices such as bottom trawling and industrial fishing from all MPAs is essential to ensure that these areas can recover and thrive. Public accountability: Educating consumers about misleading fish labels and unethical fishing practices is critical. Strengthening certification and ensuring transparency in seafood sourcing will empower consumers to make better choices. International cooperation: Conservation doesn’t respect borders. Countries must work together, sharing resources and knowledge, to create a truly global network of MPAs that are effectively managed and protected. Current actions: Despite missing the 2020 targets for securing Europe’s marine areas, the European Commission announced a new Ocean Pact in April 2024. It aims to foster global ocean governance and action to support marine conservation and sustainable development. The EU commits to safe, secure, clean, healthy and sustainably managed oceans worth €3.5 billion. To monitor the progress of these commitments, citizens can access a commitment tracking tool via the Our Ocean website.
For more information: Our Ocean Conference (https://www.ourocean2024.gov.gr/) EU – Illegal fishing (https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/fisheries/rules/illegal-fishing_en) Client Earth (https://clientearth.org/latest/press-office/press/bloom-and-clientearth-tackle-trawling-in-mediterranean-protected-marine-areas/)
Glossary: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Designated zones in oceans or seas where human activities are regulated to protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity. These areas are legally set aside to conserve species, habitats, and cultural features. Bottom Trawling: A fishing method where large nets are dragged along the ocean floor, causing significant damage to marine habitats. It is considered one of the most destructive legal fishing techniques. Overfishing: The practice of catching too many fish at once, depleting fish stocks and threatening marine ecosystems. Ghost Fishing: Lost or abandoned fishing gear that continues to trap and kill marine life, contributing to overfishing and habitat destruction. Ecosystem Services: Benefits provided by ecosystems, such as clean water, oxygen production, and fish stocks, essential for human survival and environmental health. Ocean Acidification: The process by which oceans absorb excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, causing a drop in pH levels, which harms marine species, particularly those with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons. Dolphin-Safe Label: A label meant to indicate that no dolphins were harmed during the fishing process. However, it is often criticized for lacking transparency and accountability. Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14): A United Nations goal focused on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Targets include increasing the percentage of protected waters. Sea Shepherd: A marine conservation organization that actively works to protect ocean ecosystems by intercepting illegal fishing and whaling operations.
Sources: IUCN (https://portals.iucn.org/library/efiles/documents/pag-003.pdf) European Environment Agency (https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/marine-protected-areas/marine-protected-areas) Stiftung Meeresschutz.de (https://www.stiftung-meeresschutz.org/meeresschutzgebiete/,https://www.stiftung-meeresschutz.org/themen/fischerei/grundschleppnetze/) United Nations (https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal14) Whale and Dolphin Conservation (https://uk.whales.org/our-goals/stop-whaling/whaling-in-iceland/) SeaShepherd (https://sea-shepherd.de/kampagnen/) M. Zacharias, J. Ardron (2020) Marine Policy: An Introduction to Governance and International Law of the Oceans. Routledge: New York, USA.
text by: Carolina Leiter
media by: Sabine M. Probst & Pexels