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
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
Mexico1.91.91.92.321.821.821.621.621.621.621.622.6
Ecuador13.013.013.113.113.113.313.313.313.319.119.119.3
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
Venezuela, RB3.53.53.53.53.53.53.54.34.34.44.34.4
Cuba2.62.62.64.34.34.33.93.93.93.93.94.2
Uruguay0.30.30.30.70.70.70.80.80.80.80.81.5