An MPA (Marine Protected Area) is a clearly defined space in oceans, seas or estuaries that aims to conserve species, ecosystems and cultural heritage in the long-term. They’re usually managed and overseen by local, state or federal authorities and vary in the levels of protection and activities which are allowed. 

Globally, there are over 16,000 MPAs encompassing 8.2% of the world’s oceans (26,146,645 km² in 2024), but of this only 3% is considered fully protected. There are many types of MPAs, and many different zones within them. Some, such as the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (the world’s largest MPA at 1,150,000 square kilometres) are completely no-take zones. These are also known as sanctuary zones and offer the highest level of protection with no extractive activities allowed. Other areas may be managed to protect particular species, habitats, important places (like spawning grounds or cleaning stations), shipwrecks or cultural sites. These multi-use zones each have their own regulations to allow or restrict certain activities such as recreational or commercial fishing, mining, sonar, tourism, and ship transit. Most MPAs are multiple use, and combine a variety of different zones to allow extractive activities to happen alongside nature protection.  

In Australia, 17% of our ocean is protected in sanctuary zones. In general, coastal waters (within 3 nautical miles) are managed by state and territory governments and further offshore (from 3 nautical miles to the edge of Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone, 200 nautical miles offshore) is overseen by the federal government. In Commonwealth/federal waters, there are 60 Australian Marine Parks covering 43% of Australia’s waters (3.8 million km²). In NSW (in 2024) about 7.4% of the marine environment is zoned as highly protected or no-take. Scientists currently are calling for 30% of the world’s oceans to be covered by networks of highly protected marine parks by 2030. 

To read more about MPAs in NSW, check out this report by marine ecologists David Booth and Giglia Beretta