A new marine protected area has been designated in Puerto Rico to bring their total ocean protection up to 27%, 3% away from the 30 x 30 promise many countries have promised to meet. The US has a total of 26% of its ocean in marine protected areas.
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin shares exciting news about the establishment of a new marine protected area (MPA) in Puerto Rico! This new MPA, covering 202 square kilometers (77 square miles), brings Puerto Rico's total protected area in its territorial waters to 27%.
Join us as we explore the significance of this achievement, which not only contributes to the global goal of protecting 30% of land and water by 2030 but also supports vital ecosystems like coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. These habitats are crucial for threatened species such as the Caribbean manatee and various sea turtles.
Andrew discusses the 16-year community-led effort that made this MPA possible, highlighting the importance of local involvement in conservation. He also delves into the complexities of managing such a large area, including the need for co-management plans that balance human activities with ecological preservation.
Tune in to learn about the future of this MPA, the challenges ahead, and how you can get involved in ocean conservation efforts.
Link to article: https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/local-groups-drive-creation-of-new-puerto-rico-marine-protected-area/
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:10 Marine protected area established
03:33 Community-led marine protection efforts
09:02 Seagrass meadows as biodiversity hotspots
12:00 Coral reefs and conservation importance
13:45 Marine protected area in Puerto Rico
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