Global Conservation Deploys new Mobile System for Marine Protected Area (MPA) Protection

Marine Monitor (M2) MPA Protection systems are being deployed by Global Conservation around the world against illegal fishing and wildlife poaching.  

Even in California, it is estimated that over $250 million a year in illegal lobster, abalone and rock fish is occurring in our ‘No Take’ MPAs. 

Game Warden Kyle Kroll with K-9 detection dog “Buck” and 54 poached abalone that they seized. (Photo courtesy California Department of Fish and Wildlife)

Global Conservation is deploying Marine Monitor (M2) like this one in Palau, Cuba, Belize, Mexico, Philippines and Indonesia and other MPA to protect endangered marine ecosystems from further decimation.

With Marine Monitor, developed by Anthropocene Institute, all boats moving in the MPA can be seen 24/7 day and night enabling MPA wardens to effectively target anti-poaching operations.

Global Conservation is helping California embark on a new effort to shield ocean waters from overfishing by wildlife poachers and anglers who illegally catch bass, yellowtail, lobsters and other types of marine life within California MPAs.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are critically important in response to growing threats of widespread extinction of various fish and other marine species. A recent study published in Science magazine found that most threatened are larger marine species, such as tuna, sharks and sea turtles.

California’s network of 120+ MPAs cover about 16% of coastal waters, or roughly 5,200 square miles with restrictions from ‘No Take’ prohibiting any removal of marine life to ‘Recreational Take’ allowing only designated fish species, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and tunas. The idea is to create protected spawning grounds that help marine life rebound and eventually repopulate the fishable areas.