Protecting marine biodiversity is a global priority, and effective Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are key tools for supporting the conservation and recovery of marine ecosystems, while boosting local socio-economies. However, the recent emphasis on expanding the spatial extent of protected marine surface has raised concerns about the proliferation of "paper parks", i.e. areas where legal designation is not matched by effective regulation, management and enforcement. Assessing not only how much of the sea is protected, but also how it is protected, is therefore essential to evaluate progress towards national and international conservation targets, especially the “30×30” target.

This study aims to assess the quality of marine protection in Italy by applying the MPA Guide framework to nationally designated MPAs and other marine area-based conservation designations, including marine Natura 2000 sites. We compiled information from official MPA websites, the Natura 2000 database, Protected Planet, and ProtectedSeas to evaluate key attributes related to stage of establishment and level of protection. In particular, we focus on the degree to which each site meets criteria associated with different levels of protection and implementation, distinguishing between formally designated areas and areas where conservation measures are likely to produce real socio-ecological outcomes.

By integrating multiple publicly available sources, this work provides an overview of the current state of Italian marine protection under a common assessment framework. The analysis will help identify gaps between formal and effective protection to support the development of more transparent and comparable conservation assessments. Overall, this study contributes to ongoing efforts to move beyond area-based targets alone and to promote marine conservation strategies that are socio-ecologically meaningful, effectively managed, and aligned with international biodiversity goals.