From kelp forests as tall as redwood trees to warm-water sanctuaries where enormous whales give birth, ocean places rival the grandeur and diversity of familiar national parks. Submarine canyons, like Monterey Canyon, are equal to the wonder or the Grand Canyon. Hawaii's northwestern islands are an iconic seascape that shines as bright as Yellowstone National Park. Just as parks on land are held in trust and set aside for the greater good of all citizens, marine protected areas (MPAs) are underwater refuges where the beauty and health of marine ecosystems can be preserved on our quickly changing planet. 

     Research clearly demonstrates that MPAs are a simple and effective way to sustain marine biodiversity and build resilience. Marine protection works. Well-managed MPAs can reverse the effects of overfishing, strengthen fragile coral communities, and protect ourselves and our neighbors--locally and globally--from rising sea levels and strengthening storm systems. 

   At a time of accelerating climate change, dwindling fisheries, and encroaching sea levels that threaten the 3.5 billion people that live in coastal areas, Marine Conservation Institute joins a chorus of scientists who advocate for safeguarding the world’s oceans through well-managed Marine Protected Areas. Time is not on our side and there is an urgent need to accelerate protection for at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.