What the numbers say: Germany is using the majority of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as a marine protected area. It is followed by the Netherlands, the U.S., France, and the U.K., all of which dedicated nearly half of their EEZs to environmental conservation. China is a key standout, having classified only 0.5% of its EEZ as a protected area. Relevance: EEZs demarcate the waters around a country's coast over which the government has sole jurisdiction. The zones usually extend 200 nautical miles from a country's coast and they tend to be rich in biodiversity. U.S. coastal waters support a large variety of unique organisms, including 85% of all migratory birds, but they are also the source of about half of the commercially harvested seafood in the country. Brands that should care: New EEZ laws can force seafood companies to change their harvesting practices or shift operations to other countries. On the other hand, increases in the size of EEZ protected areas may provide opportunities for other industries. For example, firms in the sustainability and conservation sectors could seek to provide services to governments that want to increase the size of their marine protected areas, while eco-tourism firms could find new investment opportunities. |
