As of June 2025, only 9.6% of the ocean has been designated as marine protected areas (MPAs) – 8.7% in national waters and 0.9% in the high seas. Recent reports suggest that just 2.9% is fully or highly protected. Without urgent and coordinated action, the world is unlikely to meet the marine component of Target 3 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3 – to effectively protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. Two key challenges stand out: too little of the ocean is effectively protected, and progress is occurring too slowly. The 30×30 target is more than a numeric milestone—it represents a strategic investment in ocean health and in human well-being. At stake are the ocean’s most vital ecosystems and the critical services they provide, including food security, climate resilience, and the livelihoods of coastal and Indigenous communities. Protecting 30% is also essential to eventually reaching 100% sustainable management of the ocean, reconciling the apparent conundrum of protection and sustainable use. This report provides a candid assessment of global progress and identifies key opportunities to accelerate marine protection and enable timely course correction. It reviews relevant mechanisms—across areas within and beyond national jurisdiction—and evaluates a set of large MPAs under potential consideration. If fully realised these could boost global ocean protection by an additional 4.7%, raising total global marine protection to 14.3%.