It extends for more than 43,000 square kilometres (17,000 sq mi) until the edge of the French overseas territory's exclusive economic zone.

[5] The territory of the Glorioso Islands has seen a number of problems due to illegal activities such as fishing and tourism.

[7] It is the fourth marine natural park [fr] established by France, and the second in the Indian Ocean following that of Mayotte.

[6] Illegal fishing is suspected to have caused a decline in sea cucumber populations in the less patrolled areas of the park.

[10] The park has four major officially mandated objectives: protection of natural heritage, sustainable fishing, scientific observation, and ecotourism.

In particular, the park aims to protect and study turtles (there are a large number of juvenile turtle habitats in the park), coral reefs (including through research on coral bleaching), seagrass (five species of spermatophytes have been confirmed there), and marine mammals, using non-invasive research techniques.

[2]: 52 The territory of the Glorioso Islands Marine Natural Park is considered a privileged scientific observatory due to its isolation.