30% of Oceans as Protected Areas Unlikely by 2030: Conservationists

A global target of having 30% of the oceans become protected areas by 2030 is looking more fragile than ever, with little progress and the United States backing away, conservationists say.

- Agence France-Presse

BREST, FRANCE: A global target of having 30% of the oceans become protected areas by 2030 is looking more fragile than ever, with little progress and the United States backing away, conservationists say.

"With less than 10% of the ocean designated as MPAs (marine protected areas) and only 2.7% fully or highly protected, it is going to be difficult to reach the 30% target," said Lance Morgan, head of the Marine Conservation Institute in Seattle, Washington.