Well-managed and fully protected marine protected areas have the ability to rebuild and improve the health of our ocean.
James Watt/NOAA

The ocean covers about 70 percent of the Earth’s surface and is critical to all life on this planet. But the health of our marine ecosystems is in steep decline due to overfishing, destructive fishing methods, illegal fishing, oil and gas drilling, and other extractive activities, along with rampant pollution and a warming climate.

Evidence suggests that safeguarding more of the ocean in marine protected areas (MPAs) can help it recover. How much do you know about this key ocean conservation tool?