Protecting oceans improves human health: new study

A new study published in the journal One Earth has found a strong link between marine biodiversity conservation and human well-being.

The results show that Marine Protected Areas (MOTs) are not only good for nature, but also have a direct impact on human health and well-being.

MOTs are areas of the ocean recognised by governments as important for marine conservation. Human activities are restricted in these zones: fishing, building resorts, aquaculture or mining are usually prohibited. The rules may vary, but the aim is the same - to give nature a chance to recover.

As part of the UN's30x30 biodiversity plan, which aims to protect 30 per cent of land and oceans by 2030, it is important to understand how the expansion of the ILO will affect people. The study, conducted by the World Wildlife Fund, Harvard Institute of Public Health and Duke University Marine Laboratory, analysed all scientific articles since 1973 on the impact of ILOs on people.

The analysis of 234 scrutinised ILOs from around the world found that over 60% of them contributed to improving both the state of nature and the well-being of local communities. Interestingly, the study also took into account those ILOs where "sustainable use" of resources is allowed - for example, selective fishing using methods that do not harm fragile ecosystems such as coral reefs.

Investments in ILOs have been found to directly benefit the health and livelihoods of people living nearby. Increased catches of fish and other seafood lead to higher incomes for fishers and better access to nutritious food for communities. The benefits are greatest in small island nations with large MOTs, such as Bonaire, Palau and the Cook Islands, where more than 95 per cent of catches are associated with protected areas.

However, the researchers found that few papers directly measure the impact of ILOs on nutrition and health. Only three of the 237 studies reviewed looked at how the creation of ILOs affected the diets of local people. Only one study in the Philippines found a link between improved access to fish and reduced stunting in children.