UNEP-WCMC is working to establish marine protected areas within the high seas (marine areas beyond national jurisdiction) and map areas of ecological and biological significance in the Pacific Ocean.

Protected areas that meet across international borders provide important opportunities for collaboration between managers and scientists in neighbouring countries. Work is undertaken by UNEP-WCMC to identify and support these protected areas.

Fragmentation and destruction of natural habitats is a primary threat for many species. Isolated species populations can result in inbreeding, reducing the fitness and hence survival of a species. UNEP-WCMC is developing a project to strengthen and promote protected areas through connecting them.

UNEP-WCMC has been actively working with the Protected Area Thematic Network (PATN) of the Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN) on the development of the protected areas network. The UNEP-WCMC project with IABIN identifies sources of protected area databases within the six IABIN sub regions and the data types, standards and management systems employed.