Ocean Protection Reaches New Scale in Landmark Conservation Move

Chile has expanded full marine protection to over one million square kilometres of ocean in 2026, safeguarding biodiversity and surpassing 50% protection of its national waters.

“Expanding marine protections is not only about conserving biodiversity, but it’s also about safeguarding our culture, our traditions, and the future of our children,” said Pablo Manríquez Angulo, mayor of Robinson Crusoe Island.

The designation grants strict protection to 360,000 km² around the Juan Fernández and Nazca-Desventuradas marine parks, bringing the total of fully protected areas to 946,571 km², now among the three largest globally. These remote Pacific ecosystems support unique species, such as the Juan Fernández fur seal, and rich marine life, including whales, turtles, and seabirds. Building on more than 580,000 km² of existing protected areas, the expansion strengthens long-standing community-led conservation and aligns with global efforts to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.