The Science and Politics of Ocean Protection

Making waves: The science and politics of ocean protection
Kirsten Grorud-Colvert and Jane Lubchenco, TOF Advisor and former NOAA Administrator

Huge accomplishments have been made in the past decade for ocean protection, yet with only 1.6 percent of the ocean “strongly protected,” land conservation policy is far ahead, earning formal protection for almost 15 percent of land.  The authors explore the many reason behind this huge disparity and how we can bridge the gap.  The science of marine protected areas is now mature and extensive, and the multiple threats facing the Earth’s ocean from overfishing, climate change, loss of biodiversity, acidification and many other issues warrant more accelerated, science-driven action. So how do we implement what we know into formal, legislative protection?  Read the full scientific article here.