Many seas, oceans and coastal regions suffer from the adverse effect of human activity and in response some governments have established Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to help restore and conserve fragile ecosystems. Jersey’s coastal waters are home to several internationally important habitats, the most notable of which are seagrass meadows, kelp forests and maerl, all of which play a role in local biodiversity and maintaining the health of our marine environment.

The protection of these habitats from potential threats has led to the establishment of a network of MPAs around Jersey and on the offshore reefs at Les Écréhous and Les Minquiers. These MPAs prohibit activities that most threaten the marine species and habitats, including the use of mobile fishing gear such as dredges and trawls. Creating and registering an MPA is a complex process that requires detailed evidence gathering, careful analysis, local and international consultation and law drafting. For this reason, it takes time for MPAs to be established, but once in place the benefits to marine life and general marine environment will often extend far beyond the boundaries of the protected area.

The area covered by Marine Protected Areas in Jersey's territorial waters has nearly doubled between 2013 and 2022.