Countries have agreed to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, a target often referred to as the “30x30” goal. The ocean supports major biodiversity, from coastal ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangrove forests to deep-sea habitats, and it provides services that affect climate regulation and global food security. While the goal is focused on expanding marine protected areas, reporting based only on how much of the ocean is designated can miss differences in how well protections work on the ground. One challenge highlighted across coverage is that a portion of protected areas may be “protected on paper” rather than backed by strong enforcement or management. Estimates cited in these accounts indicate that about 10% of the ocean is currently under formal protection as countries work toward the 2030 target, but progress toward effective protection depends on improving quality, not just area. As a result, policymakers and researchers emphasize evaluating marine protection using measures such as management strength, conservation outcomes, and enforcement capacity.