Top 10 largest Marine Protected Area

Marine protected areas (MPA) are protected areas of seas, oceans, estuaries or large lakes. MPAs restrict human activity for a conservation purpose, typically to protect natural or cultural resources. According to the IUCN, there are around 5000 MPAs designated around the world.

Top 10 largest Marine Protected Area

These 10 largest marine protected areas encompass 74% of the global marine area protected and 80% of the global reserve area.

1. Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area

Country / location: Antarctica

Marine Protected Area type: Marine Protected Area

Designated year: 2017

Marine area (km sq.): 1,555,851

2. Phoenix Islands

Country / location: Republic of Kiribati

Marine Protected Area type: Marine Protected Area

Designated year: 2006*

Total area (km sq.): 410.5

Marine area (km sq.): 410.5

3. Great Barrier Reef

Country / location: Australia

Marine Protected Area type: Marine Park

Designated year: 1979

Total area (km sq.): 344.4

Marine area (km sq.): 344.4

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4. Papahanaumokuakea

Country / location: USA

Marine Protected Area type: Marine National Monument

Designated year: 2000

Total area (km sq.): 341.4      

Marine area (km sq.): 341.4

5. Marianas Trench

Country / location: Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (USA)

Marine Protected Area type: Marine National Monument

Designated year: 2009

Total area (km sq.): 246.6

Marine area (km sq.): 246.6

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6. Pacific Remote Islands

Country / location: USA

Marine Protected Area type: Marine National Monument

Designated year: 2009

Total area (km sq.): 225.0      

Marine area (km sq.): 225.0

7. Macquarie Island

Country / location: Australia

Marine Protected Area type: Marine Park

Designated year: 1999

Total area (km sq.): 162.0      

Marine area (km sq.): 162.0

8. Galapagos

Country / location: Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)

Marine Protected Area type: Marine Reserve

Designated year: 1996

Total area (km sq.): 133.0

Marine area (km sq.): 133.0

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9. Greenland

Country / location: Greenland (Denmark)

Marine Protected Area type: National Park

Designated year: 1974

Total area (km sq.): 972.0      

Marine area (km sq.): 110.6

10. Seaflower

Country / location: Colombia

Marine Protected Area type: Marine Protected Area

Designated year:  2005

Total area (km sq.): 65.1

Marine area (km sq.): 65.0

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