Marine protected areas are areas of intertidal or subtidal terrain--and overlying water and associated flora and fauna and historical and cultural features--that have been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment.

Marine protected areas as a share of territorial waters (%)

201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
Chile4.44.44.412.612.928.841.241.341.341.441.441.2
Colombia10.210.22.12.110.417.117.117.217.217.117.141.1
Costa Rica0.80.80.80.80.80.82.62.72.729.029.028.4
Brazil1.31.61.61.71.726.626.826.826.826.826.826.6
Panama1.71.71.71.71.71.71.711.626.826.826.826.3
Mexico1.91.91.921.821.821.621.621.621.621.621.622.6
Ecuador13.013.013.113.113.113.313.313.313.319.119.119.3
Portugal6.66.76.78.416.216.616.616.816.816.916.916.8
Dominican Republic9.09.19.19.19.118.018.018.018.017.317.313.3
Spain1.71.17.18.48.48.412.712.812.812.812.812.8
Argentina0.33.84.04.04.03.811.811.811.811.811.812.0
Peru0.60.60.60.50.50.50.50.50.58.08.07.9
Honduras0.54.14.14.24.24.24.24.64.64.64.64.9
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)3.53.53.53.53.53.53.54.34.34.44.34.4
Cuba2.62.62.64.34.34.33.93.93.93.93.94.2
Nicaragua3.03.02.93.03.03.03.03.43.43.43.43.6
Uruguay0.30.30.30.70.70.70.80.80.80.80.81.5
Guatemala0.80.80.80.80.80.90.90.80.80.80.80.9
El Salvador0.70.70.70.70.70.70.70.70.70.70.70.8
Equatorial Guinea0.20.20.20.20.20.20.20.20.20.20.20.3