Sark’s marine protection plan, Jersey’s expanded MPAs, and Spain’s Canary Islands initiative all advance global efforts to protect 30% of ocean waters by 2030, though challenges remain in ensuring effective conservation beyond protected zones.
The waters around Sark are set to become part of a broader marine protection effort as officials prepare to debate a plan. The proposal, which includes protecting seagrass meadows and other critical habitats, reflects a growing trend among island nations and regions to meet international conservation targets. Similar efforts are underway in Jersey, where a new marine protected area (MPA) network now covers part of the island’s waters, and in Spain, where the government has proposed 23 new marine protected areas (MPAs) to boost coverage in the Canary Islands and Mediterranean.
Sark’s Marine Protection Plan
The Sark Marine Protection Plan, unveiled by Watson, aims to protect key habitats. Watson emphasized that the plans formed part of a wider effort across the Channel Islands to safeguard marine environments, including a plan to protect more than 20% of Jersey’s waters. The proposal depends on political approval, with members of Chief Pleas expected to debate the plans on 30 September. Some of those habitats are really important at drawing down and locking away carbon,
Watson said, highlighting the dual benefits of conservation for biodiversity and climate resilience.
The plan’s success hinges on balancing ecological protection with the needs of local fisheries. Watson noted that areas with sensitive species and slow-growing habitats are prioritized for protection, while zones with lower ecological sensitivity remain open to sustainable fishing. This approach mirrors Jersey’s recent MPA expansion.
Jersey’s Expanded MPA Network
Jersey’s new MPA network aims to support marine biodiversity and help the island meet its protection target. Alan Le Maistre called the decision a pivotal moment
for the island’s marine environment, noting that maerl beds—formed by slow-growing calcified algae—host up to 173 species per square meter, making them among Europe’s most biodiverse habitats.
The plan’s phased implementation includes additional protections. It also incorporates feedback from fishers, community groups, and scientists, ensuring that conservation efforts align with the practical realities of local industries. By protecting these places, we’re giving marine life the space it needs to recover,
Watson said, adding that the initiative supports more resilient fisheries and helps seas adapt to climate change pressures.
Spain’s Canary Islands Initiative
Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has proposed 23 new MPAs in the Canary Islands and Mediterranean, aiming to protect 22,405 square kilometers of marine waters. The plan, which the ministry writes in the proposal, will increase the area of marine waters under Spanish sovereignty or jurisdiction that are protected by 2.08 percentage points, bringing the total to 24.53%,
includes 21 new sites under the Natura 2000 network and two special protection areas (SPAs) focused on seabirds. Carlos Mallo Molina, founder of the Canary Islands-based NGO Innoceana and member of the MPAs Canary Islands project, called the proposal a significant milestone
for protecting the region’s biodiversity, which includes whales, sharks, and deep-sea corals.
However, conservation groups have raised concerns about the gap between designated MPAs and effective protection. Helena Álvarez, a senior marine scientist at the U.S.-based NGO Oceana, noted that while Spain is making progress in designating areas, the problem comes when you compare the area designated with the areas that have an actual management plan.
The proposal is open for public consultation until Sept. 15, with the goal of meeting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30% protection target by 2030.
Global 30×30 Target and Its Challenges
The 30×30 initiative, part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, has driven conservation efforts worldwide, but recent studies suggest it may fall short for certain species. A study published in Science found that protecting 30% of the ocean may not be sufficient to safeguard large marine animals like whales, sharks, and seabirds, which often travel across multiple jurisdictions.
The study highlights the need for broader strategies, such as modifying fishing gear and addressing threats like plastic pollution and warming temperatures. We urgently need to ensure that wider conservation strategies take into account the integral role these marine areas play in ocean ecosystems,
said Professor Ken Norris, a co-author of the report. Meanwhile, Samoa’s recent approval of a marine spatial plan protecting 30% of its ocean has been praised as a model for integrating traditional knowledge with scientific data.
Samoa’s Leadership in Ocean Conservation
Samoa has become the latest nation to commit to protecting 30% of its ocean, establishing nine new MPAs that ban activities like fishing, mining, and drilling. The plan, which includes protections for endangered species such as hawksbill turtles and blue sharks, builds on the island nation’s history of ocean stewardship, including its 2003 designation of shark and turtle sanctuaries. Dr. Kathryn Mengerik of the Waitt Institute called Samoa’s achievement a leader in sustainable ocean management,
noting that the plan integrates traditional community-managed areas with modern conservation practices.
The initiative aligns with Samoa’s broader commitment to the United Nations Ocean Conference, where it aims to inspire global action. Kevin Chand of Pristine Seas highlighted that Samoa joins a pioneering set of countries that have achieved the goal of protecting at least 30% of their ocean,
despite its small Exclusive Economic Zone. The plan’s success will depend on enforcing restrictions and ensuring long-term funding for monitoring and enforcement.
