The Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas) is compilation of MPA assessments contributed by the scientific community to track effective MPA progress towards global targets. MPAtlas builds upon the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) by enhancing self-reported data with standardized, science-based assessments that categorize marine protected areas (MPAs) based on the impact of direct human activity and the likelihood of delivering the promised conservation benefits. We have been working with colleagues to assess MPAs against the peer-reviewed framework and build a database of assessment results. The database is continually growing, and our team publishes new MPA assessment data as it becomes available. We depend on contributions from MPA experts and practitioners to help us grow the MPAtlas database. If your MPA is missing, we welcome contributions!
Note: The dataset does not contain boundaries for all global MPAs, only those assessed. If you are in need of the entire global MPA data with boundaries, you can still download them from the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) website.
In 2024, we published an analysis of the largest 100 marine protected areas reported towards global targets. These MPAs account for nearly 90% of what is currently reported as MPA area for tracking progress to global targets. We have shared the results of this analysis, and other local, regional and national level analysis on the MPAtlas website to better track fully and highly protected areas and how much more ocean will need to be protected to fulfill the promises of global agreements to conserve biodiversity in the world's oceans.
The data is available as either a geodatabase (.gdb) or spreadsheet (.csv). Please note which version you are requesting in the form. By requesting to download the MPAtlas database, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and agreed to the Data Use terms. Our data is intended for non-commercial use. We may share it for limited and specific commercial purposes upon request. Please email us at info@mpatlas.org for commercial requests.
Complete this form to request a link to the current version of the MPAtlas database. There is also an API available upon request to info@mpatlas.org.
By requesting to download the MPAtlas database, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and agreed to the Data Use and Terms.
Our data is intended for non-commercial use. We may share it for limited and specific commercial purposes upon request. Please email us at info@mpatlas.org for commercial requests.
Is your MPA missing? If you have any questions, please email us at info@mpatlas.org. We'd love to hear from scientists interested in helping us assess areas or MPAs that are missing from the current dataset. We welcome collaboration on projects that include applying The MPA Guide framework to your MPA site or network.