Global Ocean Protection Makes Its Biggest Annual Leap

Global marine protection expanded in 2025, lifting safeguarded ocean areas to 9.6% worldwide, the fastest annual increase yet toward the 30% conservation target set for 2030.

“Protecting our ocean is about securing food, culture, and climate resilience for future generations,” said Maina Talia, Samoa’s Minister for Natural Resources and Environment.

There are now 16,608 marine protected areas covering nearly 35 million km² of ocean, more than twice the size of Russia, following a 1.2 percentage-point rise from 2024. In 2025 alone, Samoa protected 30% of its waters, French Polynesia announced plans to safeguard 4.8 million km², and new high-biodiversity reserves were created in the Philippines, Pakistan, and the Marshall Islands. While only 3.2% of global MPAs are currently highly or fully protected, the year marked growing international momentum toward large-scale, long-term ocean conservation.