Ocean conservation needs strong relationships, not just targets
Ocean conservation efforts are often guided by ambitious global targets, from protecting 30 per cent of marine and coastal areas to advancing the United Nations Ocean Decade goals. But new thinking co-authored by Water Institute member Derek Armitage and published in The Conversation argues that targets alone are not enough to ensure meaningful progress.
The work shows that the success of ocean conservation depends on the relationships that connect people, communities and institutions. Trust, collaboration and place-based partnerships are central to effective stewardship of marine ecosystems, particularly when local communities are meaningfully involved in decision-making.
By focusing on how people work together, share knowledge and build equitable governance networks, conservation efforts are more likely to lead to lasting and transformative change for ocean ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.