Global and national ocean conservation efforts

Global ocean conservation efforts face significant challenges in meeting the ‘30x30’ goal, which aims to protect 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030. The Ocean Gap Protection Report 2026 indicates that only 10% of the world’s oceans are currently designated for conservation, with projections suggesting this will only reach 12% by 2030. Furthermore, there is a critical discrepancy between designation and efficacy; research suggests only about 2% of oceans are covered by marine protected areas where ecosystems are actually recovering, largely due to low compliance with fishing restrictions and a massive funding gap.

In response to such environmental pressures, individual nations are implementing management strategies. Australia has launched a “sustainable ocean plan” to manage its marine waters up to 200 nautical miles offshore. The plan establishes eight national priorities, including the protection and restoration of marine environments and collaboration with First Nations peoples. While Australia currently has marine protected areas covering 52% of its ocean, the government is specifically working toward a target of protecting at least 30% of these waters in highly protected areas by 2030.