Five key opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of area-based marine conservation

Abstract

Effective area-based conservation is central in global efforts to reverse marine biodiversity loss and safeguard ecosystem functioning. Here, we identify five key opportunities to maximize conservation potential as nations progress towards the Convention on Biological Diversity's 2030 area-based management targets. These include enhancing accountability, elevating conservation in spatial planning, implementing adaptive management, coordinating conservation efforts across scales, and reconciling design with expected outcomes. Addressing these collectively will advance global marine conservation and maximize its contributions to biodiversity protection and human society.

Published in

npj ocean sustainability
2025, volume: 4, number: 1, article number: 67

SLU Authors

• Belgrano, Andrea

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of Gothenburg

• Bergström, Ulf

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Sacre, Edmond

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Sköld, Mattias

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

Coastal and sea areas

UKÄ Subject classification

Oceanography, Hydrology, Water Resources
Ecology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-025-00172-z

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/145308