We must look for new ways to expand our marine conservation network from its existing 5,4% to our commitment of 20% by 2030. This expansion ambition includes 10% from marine protected areas and another 5% from other effective area-based conservation measures or “OECMs”.
 
Yet, marine OECMs are novel and not currently well understood. In response, WWF initiated a study in 2023 to collaboratively identify marine OECMs in South Africa. The results of this study offer a pragmatic account of how specific marine OECMs can contribute to the 30x30 target.
 
This 2025 report unpacks the five most promising potential marine OECM mechanisms, plus their geographical coverage. One chapter covers the costs involved in marine OECM recognition and how these costs may be financed. Another chapter defines the establishment and costing of “small-scale fishing zones” which would also benefit small-scale fishers and coastal economies.
 
Dive in to discover the “rainbow roadmap” for government with its practical action points on how marine OECMs can be recognised and implemented. In striving for the 30x30 target, we close with a memorable “five-point starfish” to suggest immediate actions for moving marine OECMs forward.