A study highlights  that MPAs management and governance can conserve biodiversity and improve nutritional security.

Key highlights of the study 

• Contribution of Sustainable-use MPAs: 13.6% of global catch, 14% of fisheries revenue and 13.7% of nutrient supply.
  • 7% of total global catches are represented from within exclusive economic zones (EEZs).
• Establishing MPAs in nutritionally vulnerable coastal communities: It  can improve human health and nutrition.

Marine Protected Areas and their significance 

• MPAs are essentially a space in the ocean where human activities are more strictly regulated than the surrounding waters (as per ENVIS)
• These places are given special protections for natural or historic marine resources by local, state, territorial, native, regional, or national authorities.     
• Significance
  • Act as reservoirs of genetic material for natural or assisted recovery of areas affected by pollution
  • Crucial refuges for countless marine species: shields them from threats like overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution.
  • Reference sites serving as a baseline for scientific research: offers insights into marine ecology
  • Acts as sites for nature-based recreation and tourism
  • Helps in climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Challenges in conservation of MPAs: Difficulties in enforcing regulations, requirement of substantial resources, impacts livelihoods of local fishing communities.