June 15, 2023 — A first-of-its-kind report by the U.S. Fishery Management Council has found 72 percent of federal waters could be classified as conservation areas.
The report is one component of U.S. President Joe Biden’s “30 by 30” plan, a federal initiative to commit 30 percent of U.S. lands and oceans to conservation by 2030. Conservation areas identified in the report will be included in the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas, which will measure the progress of U.S. conservation efforts.