Protecting vulnerable ocean ecosystems with science, data and technology

Charles Kilgour

Director of Program Initiatives, Global Programs, Global Fishing Watch

Marine protected areas (MPAs) and other conservation measures are increasingly being used by governments to protect fish stocks, fragile ecosystems and endemic marine species.

Marine protected areas can also play a vital role in helping to reach the 30×30 goals, through which nearly 200 governments have committed to protecting 30% of the earth’s land and sea by 2030. Knowing where to locate these areas and, crucially, to ensure their long-term success, depends on reliable data.

Overseeing marine protected areas with data

As those responsible for overseeing MPAs don’t always have enough of this data, such insights are invaluable for helping them make effective plans and sound decisions in the waters they are overseeing. Conservation measures are vital for helping to future-proof a fast-changing world. As the links between oceans, biodiversity loss and climate change become more apparent, any work done to manage marine environments better will have positive impacts on other global issues too.

Although oceans tend to be overlooked at UN climate conferences (COPs), this started to shift last year and it’s hoped that the Brazil-hosted COP30 will drive further progress, especially as it follows multiple chances to set ocean commitments in 2025, from high seas governance to reducing plastic pollution.

Conservation measures are
vital for helping to future-proof
a fast-changing world.

Online portal supports marine conservation

To support improved designation and management of protected areas, we co-founded Marine Manager with ocean advocate Dona Bertarelli. Using satellite technology and accessible data, this online portal is being used by governments, conservationists and researchers to monitor and analyse commercial fishing, shipping and other industrial activity. When information is overlaid with environmental, biological and zoning data, it offers invaluable insights into ocean health and human impacts.

Using Marine Manager, we analysed ongoing fishing activity in the Mediterranean’s Otranto Channel to understand where and when fishing vessels, particularly trawlers, were present and to highlight risks posed to vulnerable marine ecosystems. This analysis helped to inform the designation of a Fisheries Restricted Area, where bottom trawling is now banned.

Making progress in marine protection

We want to continue working with marine specialists to develop and iterate Marine Manager, so the portal addresses more concerns in this Ocean Decade. This World Wildlife Day, we can feel inspired by the progress made in marine protection — but there’s always more to do.