Đề thi VSTEP Reading B2 — Marine Protected Areas (Round 5)

Over the past forty years, governments and environmental organisations have established thousands of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the world. These zones restrict activities such as commercial fishing, oil drilling, and shipping in order to protect ocean ecosystems. Today, MPAs cover roughly eight percent of the world's ocean surface, and many scientists argue that this figure should rise significantly. Research has shown that well-managed MPAs can produce impressive results. Fish populations inside these zones often grow larger and more numerous than those in nearby open waters. In some cases, species that had disappeared from an area return within a few years. Healthy marine life from these protected areas also spills over into surrounding waters, supporting local fishing industries over the long term. However, MPAs are not a complete solution. Many protected areas exist only on paper, with little enforcement or monitoring. Without adequate funding and clear regulations, these so-called 'paper parks' fail to deliver real conservation benefits. Successful marine protection therefore requires not only legal designation but also ongoing management and community support.