Credit: Shutterstock By John Turnbull, Emma Johnston, Graeme Clark from UNSW, Carly Cook from Monash University and Kelsey Roberts from Stony Brook University A global coalition of more than 50 countries have pledged to protect over 30% of the planet’s lands and seas by the end of this decade. Their reasoning is clear: we need greater protection for nature, to prevent further extinctions and protect the life-sustaining ecosystems crucial to human survival. The globally recognised tool to safeguard marine biodiversity is to designate a “marine protected area”. But not all protected areas are created equal. The level of protection these areas provide depends on the activities permitted in their boundaries. For example, in “fully” protected areas, no plants or animals can be removed or harmed. Meanwhile, “partially” protected areas allow various extractive activities to occur, such as fishing and sometimes even mining.