Sustainable-use marine protected areas to improve human nutrition

Aquatic foods are a vital source of nutrients for coastal communities around the world. As global efforts accelerate to protect 30% of oceans by 2030, sustainable-use marine protected areas (MPAs), which permit regulated fishing, emerge as a promising approach to balance conservation with local livelihoods. Here, we explore the potential of sustainable-use MPAs to simultaneously support biodiversity conservation and human nutrition, particularly in coastal and coral reef regions. Through a comprehensive review and analysis, we identify three key pathways through which these MPAs can impact nutrition: (1) maintaining or enhancing fisheries catch, (2) fostering tourism opportunities, and (3) supporting alternative livelihoods. Our findings indicate that sustainable-use MPAs currently contribute around 13.6% of global catch, 14% of fisheries revenue, and 13.7% of nutrient supply, underscoring their vital role in supporting both economic and nutritional security for coastal communities. In coral reef regions, expanding these MPAs could increase fish biomass and catch by up to 20%, potentially preventing up to 3 million cases of inadequate micronutrient intake across coral reef nations. By integrating sustainable-use MPAs into broader ocean conservation strategies, we can help address malnutrition in vulnerable communities while achieving ambitious biodiversity targets. This approach is crucial for ensuring MPAs contribute not only to ecosystem health but also to global goals for nutrition security and human well-being.