30x30 Ocean Action Plan 2025

30x30 Ocean Action Plan31 30Benguela Current MPA South Atlantic Ocean | Expansion | 148,000 km2 The potential expansion of the Benguela Current marine protected area (MPA) network—from 238,000 km² to 386,000 km²—offers a powerful example of how regional cooperation can drive progress towards the 30x30 target.56 Anchored in the legally binding Benguela Current Convention (BCC), Angola, Namibia, and South Africa are working together to protect one of the world’s most productive and biodiverse eastern boundary upwelling systems.57 This transboundary initiative is guided by science-based ecosystem management and marine spatial planning, focusing on enhanced ecological representativity, particularly for shared fish stocks and migratory routes. Central to the process is the meaningful inclusion of artisanal fishers and coastal communities, ensuring that conservation outcomes are equitable and support livelihoods in ocean-dependent economies.58 The collaborative model strengthens regional governance, with coordinated monitoring, enforcement, and stakeholder engagement. If realised, this expansion will not only boost spatial protection but also showcase how integrated, community-inclusive, and ecologically grounded action can contribute significantly to closing the ocean protection gap and achieving global 30x30 ambitions. Case Study 3. MPAs in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Anticipating Global Opportunities MPAs in the high seas created both under regional conventions and under the BBNJ Agreement hold immense potential to advance the global 30x30 target. Historically under-protected, these vast ocean spaces, which make up 61% of the global ocean, contain critical ecosystems that support biodiversity, climate resilience, and global fisheries. As it stands, the high seas areas currently under potential consideration if realised, would increase current ocean protection by approximately 2.2%. However, this is by no means the full potential that the high seas can contribute to accelerating meaningful marine biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection. An important point to highlight regarding areas beyond national jurisdiction is that, while proposals that could deliver meaningful protection in the near future are being actively explored, the immediate focus must recognise current limitations. The BBNJ Agreement, which provides the long-awaited legal mechanism to establish high seas MPAs, will only enter into force 120 days following ratification by 60 UN member states. This means countries cannot yet fully operationalise the protection of these areas under this framework. Nevertheless, the potential is immense – it represents a pivotal opportunity to close this governance gap and unlock large-scale protection in the global ocean. At the same time, broader shifts in the global economic landscape—such as ongoing reforms to harmful fisheries subsidies—may further reduce the viability of fishing in certain high seas areas. By enabling the designation of ecologically significant, well-connected, and effectively managed MPAs in the high seas, the BBNJ Agreement can help fill the protection gap. Now is the time to lay the groundwork—advancing preparatory efforts, building the scientific underpinning required to identify important areas and envision ABMT design, establishing conversation pathways between existing bodies, fostering international and regional collaboration, and accelerating the ratification process—so countries are ready to act decisively the moment the Agreement becomes operational. The examples highlighted below showcase two sets of MPAs – one under the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and the other through the BBNJ Agreement – that have the potential to inspire progress for marine protection in the high seas. Photo: TravelSync27 / Envato Elements