Reviving Ghost Reefs: How Marine Protected Areas Can Combat Hunger | Blog

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Earth’s coral reefs, dubbed “rainforests of the sea” for their rich marine life, are becoming underwater ghost towns. In Madagascar’s Bay of Ranobe, for example, where 90% of the reef has vanished in less than a half-century, local fisheries have become dangerously depleted. One species that still haunts this spectral seascape, the striped eel catfish—aptly nicknamed fiandolo, or “fish of the dead”—is a growing part of people’s diets, despite its low nutritional value. But communities here have few options: 5 years of reduced rainfall have ushered in the world’s first climate-induced famine—a grim milestone made worse by the reef’s collapse.

When food becomes scarce in places like the Bay of Ranobe, talk of conservation may seem tone-deaf. But the notion that people and nature are locked in competition, that we must choose between either feeding our growing populations or protecting Earth’s wildlife and wild places, is one of those “zombie lies” that just won’t die. In truth, thriving ecosystems are essential for thriving communities, and I have new evidence to prove it.

A study I led with researchers from Harvard University and Conservation International (CI), published last month in the scientific journal Nature Communications, examined the intersection of conservation and human nutrition. The study found that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), underwater sanctuaries for marine life, can be powerful tools in the fight against malnutrition. More precisely, by expanding sustainable-use MPAs, which permit regulated fishing, we could increase fish catches in coral reef nations by up to 20%, potentially averting nearly 3 million cases of micronutrient deficiency.

At a time when over 3.1 billion people around the world experience food insecurity, this news about MPAs nutritional value holds unprecedented promise. And to be clear, the positive outcome for human health is an added benefit on top of the conservation outcomes driven by MPAs, which range from preserving biodiversity to protecting marine habitats from overfishing and fostering resilient ecosystems that can better withstand the impacts of climate change.

Sustainable-use MPAs exemplify a conservation strategy that safeguards natural systems while bolstering the nutritional reservoirs of local communities. These areas, along with other kinds of protected areas, such as community-managed reserves, enable local communities to align conservation with their fishing practices and cultural traditions, transforming MPAs from solely environmental tools into vital components of food security and community resilience. In a study published last week in One Earth, I examined in greater detail the different pathways in which sustainable-use MPAs can affect human health and nutrition.

We’ve arrived at a pivotal moment in history for Earth’s marine resources. The world is currently experiencing a nutrition transition, with a drift toward high-calorie, processed foods that displace nutrient-rich traditional diets. This shift, coupled with environmental stressors like overfishing and climate change, threatens to unravel the intricate web of food systems that have sustained populations for millennia. The stakes are unmistakably high, as the decline of natural food sources could sever critical nutritional lifelines.

Amidst all this upheaval, aquatic foods are crucial yet underappreciated heroes. Their value extends far beyond protein, encompassing a spectrum of essential vitamins and nutrients from omega-3 fatty acids to iodine, that help prevent conditions ranging from anemia to growth retardation, weakened immune systems and more. In many coastal communities where diets are largely composed of staples, aquatic foods often stand as the primary, if not the sole, source of critical nutrients. As a result, any volatility in their availability carries significant health implications.

When it comes to global nutrition, the significance of small-scale fisheries and their contributions can’t be overstated. They account for about 10% of the nutrient supply from all foods, making them indispensable in addressing the nutrient needs of billions. Yet, these fisheries face numerous threats, from environmental degradation to economic development. Effective management and support for these fisheries are paramount to sustaining their contributions to public health.

Madagascar’s “fish of the dead” doesn’t have to be a harbinger of climate-induced misery; instead, it can be the cautionary tale that motivates world leaders to chart a better course. By strategically placing sustainable-use MPAs and bolstering small-scale fisheries, we can help restore vital coral reef ecosystems in beleaguered areas like the Bay of Ranobe, allowing for the recovery of diverse fish species and providing generations with more nutritious food options. In doing so, we can lay the groundwork for a healthier, cleaner and more stable future—for people and nature.

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