Advancing Environmental Justice through Marine Protected Areas
Recommendations for Federal and California Policymakers
Anglers surf fishing in Los Angeles.
Overfishing, destructive industrial practices and climate change are the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss in the ocean. Communities already marginalized in ocean use and management will continue to bear the biggest burdens from these impacts. When meaningfully implemented, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can offer a critical solution to address these issues. MPAs conserve marine habitats and species and enhance climate resilience, while also addressing systemic inequities in ocean management. Based on a recently published paper that explores these concepts in more detail, Fish On presents two summary factsheets with actionable recommendations for decision-makers in California and at the federal level who are interested in advancing environmental justice in ocean management.
