30×30

Join the Global Campaign to Protect 30% of the Ocean by 2030

Campaign

136,757 people are taking action

Only 2.9% of the ocean is officially safeguarded under “high protection.” In December 2022, at COP15, world leaders finally committed to protect 30% by 2030. Now it’s time to hold them to their promise.

30×30 | Explained

Campaign Updates

Over $250 million committed to fast-track ocean-based climate solutions
Only One launches new 30×30 campaign in Ireland ahead of key political announcement
Chumash Marine Sanctuary enters its final comment period
68 countries sign High Seas Treaty on opening day of UN General Assembly
World leaders ratify first-ever Global Biodiversity Framework Fund
Biden administration advances protection of the Pacific Remote Islands

What you can do

Use your voice

Tell World Leaders to Protect 30% of the Ocean by 2030

Call on Ireland’s Government to Protect its Seas
Urge France to Effectively Protect its Maritime Spaces
Protect the Ocean by Supporting the High Seas Treaty
Protect Antarctica to Secure the Largest Act of Ocean Protection in History
Help Advance an Indigenous-Led Marine Sanctuary in California
Urge the U.S. Government to Protect the Pacific Remote Islands

Get educated

The Living Ocean

Dive into delicate ecosystems from the most isolated corners of Antarctica to tropical reefs teeming with life.

Series· 8 videos
Watch

Science in Antarctica

Immerse yourself in the stories behind this vibrant and extraordinary region — and the work being done to protect it.

Series· 5 videos
Watch

Explainers

What is 30×30?

Scientific evidence from across the globe has made it clear that there is a biodiversity crisis in motion. We are witnessing a rapid decline of species: top predators like tigers, shorebirds in North America, the vaquita porpoise, otherwise known as the world’s most endangered marine mammal, and countless others. 30×30 is a critical solution that we can all help achieve.

Article·3 min read
What is high protection and why is it important?

The ocean is home to an unfathomable diversity of marine life and plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate. Yet human activities like fishing, mining, and drilling continue to cause significant harm to these delicate ecosystems. This is where strong levels of marine protection come in — specifically highly or fully protected marine areas.

Article·2 min read
What is a marine protected area?

With marine biodiversity in sharp decline, the future of the planet depends on us taking action to rebuild our ocean. There is no quick fix, but luckily the ocean has a powerful trick up its sleeve: when we protect and care for a specific area, we see that area and the surrounding environment recover at an astonishing rate. This is what marine protected areas are all about.

Article·1 min read

Be a champion

Share the 30×30 campaign

Spread the word among your community with our ready-to-share social posts.

Toolkit
Share the 30×30 Ireland petition

Join us by signing the petition today and telling the Irish Government that they cannot delay any longer. Sign the petition at only.one/30x30ireland. #30x30Ireland #FairSeas

Toolkit
Share the 30×30 France appeal
Toolkit
Share the High Seas petition
Toolkit
#Wildlife·Apr 4, 2023
Article·2 min read

What is high protection and why is it important?

John Meisner

The ocean is home to an unfathomable diversity of marine life and plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate. Yet human activities like fishing, mining, and drilling continue to cause significant harm to these delicate ecosystems. This is where strong levels of marine protection come in — specifically highly or fully protected marine areas.

Image © Michele Roux / Ocean Image Bank

High or full marine protection refers to strict policies implemented to safeguard marine environments and biodiversity from harmful human activities.

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are one of the most effective tools we have for protecting the ocean and increasing the resilience of species both within these areas and in the surrounding environment. In these carefully-selected, designated areas of the ocean, human activities that harm marine life are either prohibited or extremely restricted. They can be established by any combination of governments, NGOs, or community groups depending on the circumstances. Marine protected areas come in different forms and operate under different levels of management. This ranges from highly or fully protected areas, where all damaging interventions are prohibited, to minimally protected areas, where many disruptive human activities are still permitted.

Alex Mustard / Ocean Image Bank

High protection marine areas

Marine protected areas under high or full protection put in place some of the highest levels of safeguarding for ocean ecosystems: they are entirely protected areas where no damaging human activities are allowed, including fishing, mining, and oil and gas development. Science tells us that highly protected marine areas are essential for long-term ocean health and resilience, as they enable species to thrive without interference from human activities. 

This definition of high or full protection comes from the Marine Conservation Institute and falls in line with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) protected area categories Ia and Ib.

Less than 3% of the world’s ocean is currently designated with high or full protection, making increased implementation of these areas a critical goal for achieving 30×30. It is also paramount to ensure that governments implement fully protected areas with the participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities. This must be a vital part of our commitment to 30×30: as stewards of the land and ocean and key knowledge-holders, Indigenous communities lead initiatives that have proven to be both effective and equitable.

Bruce / Adobe Stock

As individuals, we can take action to protect the ocean by reducing our plastic consumption, supporting sustainable initiatives,  and advocating for stronger marine protection policies.

Take your first step today by signing our 30×30 petition and join the movement to help save the ocean and planet for future generations.