Integrating global targets for protected areas and sustainable fisheries

The global ocean harbors millions of unique species, many of which help to provide food and nutrients for nearly half of the world’s human population. Yet, the continued viability of this critical food source is uncertain as unsustainable exploitation has eroded marine biodiversity, and ecosystems are affected by a changing climate. Efforts to rebuild overexploited fisheries, restore marine biodiversity, and build climate resilience are underway, following international policy commitments. Here we analyze global progress in implementing these commitments through the expansion of protected area coverage (GBF Target for 2030: 30%) and sustainable fisheries management (GBF Target for 2030: 100%) under the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022. When comparing GBF objectives, we show that as of 2025, achieving fisheries targets has progressed significantly further relative to protected area targets. On average, 62% of assessed industrialized fisheries were reported within sustainable limits across nineteen FAO major fishing areas, while protected area coverage averaged 10% across the same areas, with 3% highly or fully protected. Notably, we find little evidence for the integration of targets related to these two objectives. Given this, we propose an integrated assessment framework by which the biodiversity outcomes of both fisheries and conservation measures can be evaluated in relation to common reference points, helping to ensure their individual effectiveness and maximizing their joint co-benefits. Thereby we aim to help resolve disparate and sometimes conflicting agendas in marine conservation and move towards more integrated policies for protected area expansion and sustainable fisheries management.