The Global Ocean Refuge System (GLORES) is a strategic initiative that provides an incentive structure to improve the quality of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the world and accelerate implementation. GLORES uses up-to-date science to set high standards that safeguard marine biodiversity and recover depleted populations of marine wildlife. Marine protected areas that meet these science-based standards will receive GLORES awards. These awards will attract tourists and investors, and bring a sense of pride to political leaders, managers, and communities. The strategic framework that GLORES creates will ensure representation and replication of habitats in every biogeographic region of the ocean. GLORES is designed to support marine protected area efforts from small to large, from the tropics to the polar latitudes, and complements and builds on the advocacy efforts of conservation groups working to implement effective protected areas.