F Stephenson, Bárbara Horta e Costa, Anna Maria Addamo, Paula Alexandra Reis Bueno, Mark J. Costello, Nigel Dudley, Patrick Eskuche‐Keith, Helen Fox, David Gill, Cesc Gordó−Vilaseca, Kirsten Grorud‐Colvert, Carissa J. Klein, Pippa J. Moore, Lance Morgan, Katharine B. Nalven, Felipe Paredes, Elizabeth P. Pike, Madhu Rao, Jenna Sullivan‐Stack, Heidi W. Weiskel, Lauren Wenzel, Sue Wells, Joachim Claudet
Summarising CBD target 3 to “30 × 30” emphasizes area coverage, but conservation success depends on MPA quality. Many existing MPAs are under-protected, and rapidly designating new areas risks creating ‘paper parks’ without ecological or social benefits. Prioritizing strictly or fully managed MPAs, supported by a clear and shared definition, is essential to achieve meaningful biodiversity outcomes. Quality-focused strategies ensure that global targets benefit both nature and people, rather than merely meeting numerical goals.