What are Marine Protected Areas?

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are specially designated regions of the ocean that are protected for the conservation and preservation of marine ecosystems and their diverse species of flora and fauna. 
• MPAs are essentially a space in the ocean where human activities are more strictly regulated than the surrounding waters – similar to parks we have on land. 
• These protected areas serve a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of the marine environment and its inhabitants. 
• To achieve their conservation objectives, MPAs can limit or prohibit certain human activities, such as fishing, oil and gas exploration, and construction, within their boundaries. 

Regulations in India

• There are a total of 31 major Marine Protected Areas in India covering coastal areas that have been notified under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

• MPAs occupy less than 4.01% of the total area of all Protected Areas in India.
• The Gulf of Kachchh Marine National Park (Gujarat), Gulf of Mannar National Park (Tamil Nadu) and Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal) are some of the important MPAs of India.

Why are MPAs crucial?

• MPAs serve a crucial role in conserving marine biodiversity, regulating fishing practices, mitigating climate change, promoting research and education, and providing economic benefits.
• Additionally, MPAs act as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and mitigating the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. 
• Further, they contribute to local economies through sustainable tourism, recreation, and supporting local fishing communities.

Why in News?

• • The 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) took place in Canada with the objective of addressing the Funding Gap in Marine Protected Areas.

• IMPAC is a global forum that brings together ocean conservation professionals and high-level officials to inform, inspire and act on marine protected areas.

• The Funding Gap refers to the shortage of financial resources needed to effectively manage and conserve MPAs. 

Related Information

About WPA

• The Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972 was enacted for protection of plants and animal species. The Act divides species into ‘schedules’ ranked from I to VI. 
• Out of the six schedules, Schedule I and Schedule II species are afforded the highest levels of protection under the law as they are extremely rare, endemic, or endangered. Species under Schedules III and IV are also protected, but the penalties are lower.
• Under Section 62 of WPA, the Central Government may, on the requests from the respective States, declare any wild animal other than those specified in Schedule I & Part II of Schedule II (that lists most endangered and iconic species like tigers, leopards, and elephants) of the law to be vermin for any area for a given period of time for selective slaughter.
• As long as the notification is in force such wild animals shall be included in Schedule V of the law, depriving them of any protection under that law.
• A species is declared as vermin 
  • if they have become dangerous to human life or property, or 
  • if they have become so disabled or diseased as to be beyond recovery.
• No person is allowed to cultivate a specified plant mentioned in schedule VI, except with a licence granted by the competent authority. It includes plants such as
  • Beddomes’ cycad (Cycas beddomei).
  • Blue Vanda (Vanda eoerulea).
  • Kuth (Saussurea costus).
  • Ladies slipper orchids (Paphiopedilium spp.).
  • Pitcher plant (Nepenthes khasiana).
  • Red Vanda (Rananthera imschootiana).

https://www.indiatimes.com/explainers/news/what-are-marine-protected-areas-and-why-are-they-crucial-for-conserving-marine-biodiversity-593020.html