Quality of marine protected areas is critical to achieving global biodiversity targets

Stephenson, FabriceHorta e Costa, BarbaraAddamo, Anna M.Bueno, PaulaCostello, Mark JohnDudley, NigelEskuche-Keith, Patrick A.Fox, Helen E.Gill, DavidGordó-Vilaseca, CescGrorud-Colvert, KirstenKlein, CarissaMoore, Pippa J.Morgan, Lance E.Nalven, Katharine B.Paredes, FelipePike, Elizabeth P.Rao, MadhuSullivan-Stack, JennaWeiskel, Heidi S. W.Wenzel, LaurenWells, SueClaudet, Joachim2026-03-182026-03-182025-11-282731-426Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/28467Summarising CBD target 3 to “30 × 30” emphasizes area coverage, but conservation success depends on MPA quality. Many existing MPAs are underprotected, and rapidly designating new areas risks creating ‘paper parks’ without ecological or social benefits. Prioritizing strictly or fully managed MPAs, supported by a clear and shared definition, is essential to achieve meaningful biodiversity outcomes. Quality-focused strategies ensure that global targets benefit both nature and people, rather than merely meeting numerical goals.engQuality of marine protected areas is critical to achieving global biodiversity targetsjournal article10.1038/s44183-025-00169-8