A global research study conducted by an international team has found that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are functioning as intended- they are protecting marine life such as sea turtles.

An MPA is a designated no fishing zones which is excellent news for turtles. Fishing nets and lines, active or abandoned, are considered two of the most common ways turtles can die before their time. If a turtle gets caught in a net and can’t escape they will eventually drown because they are unable to surface for air. The fishing industry also inadvertently kills sea grass which is a turtle’s primary source of food.

35 percent of sea turtles can now be found enjoying life and the abundance of food in protected waters. The number is a higher percentage than the scientists anticipated considering the low amount of ocean area that is specified MPAs. 

A total of 145 green turtles from 28 nesting sites were tracked via satellite by team members in 10 countries. Their findings supported previous studies that have shown a turtle’s amazing ability to travel thousands of miles from the breeding ground to suitable feeding sites. 

Not all MPAs are equal and some provide more protection than others through tougher restrictions. Though the turtles will travel great distances to enjoy safety it must take them a long time to learn which are the safest because strictly protected MPAs used for scientific research saw only 21 percent of turtles that were tracked. The longer established MPAs, no matter their level of protection, had an increased presence of turtles.

Brendan Godley, a conservation science professor from the Universityof Exeter's Centre for Ecology and Conservation said: "There has been debate over the value of MPAs, but this research provides compelling evidence that they may be effective in providing safe foraging habitats for large marine creatures, such as green turtles.”

Governments and countries looking at their marine waters can now see the evidence and value of protecting them and the marine life through MPAs. Hopefully, research like this will encourage more NGO’s and agencies to work together to expand the range of exisitng MPAs if need be or on the books if they are waffling on finalizing designation.

Richard Benyon, the United Kingdom’s Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries agreed, "This study unlocks some of the secrets surrounding the life cycle of marine turtles, whose movements have long been a mystery. The results will mean we will better manage the oceans and protect turtle habitats which are key to helping them survive.”