What strong marine protection can deliver 🌊
Misool Marine Reserve has maintained its Platinum Blue Park status after its five-year review, with strong evidence that protection here is working.
Learn more on the spillover benefits already evident here: marine-conservation.org/on-...
Protection doesn’t end with designation.
This Earth Day, we’re launching the Blue Parks Conservation Fund to support the work that makes ocean protection real.
👉 marine-conservation.org/giv...
Happy #WildlifeWednesday from the Northern Channel Islands 💙
Over 800 km² of protected waters support kelp forests, migratory sharks, marine mammals, and endangered species. Strong monitoring and enforcement help sustain biodiversity in one of California’s most dynamic marine ecosystems.
Effective protection doesn’t end at designation.
Marine Conservation Institute + COMPASS launched the Supporting Blue Parks program - bringing 35 MPA leaders from 13 countries together to strengthen communication, storytelling, and trust in conservation.
2 days to go.
This Earth Day, we’re sharing something big for the future of ocean conservation.
If you care about effective protection and real impact, don’t miss it.
Subscribe: https://marine-conservation.org/stay-in-touch/
There are over 16,000 marine protected areas worldwide - but assessing their effectiveness takes time.
At ICTC, our Marine Protection Atlas team explored how AI can help scale MPA Guide assessments while keeping expert review central.
Read more: bit.ly/mci-at-ictc
We’re thrilled to be participating in SONOMA WILD MUSIC FESTIVAL Saturday June 6th. Every ticket sold helps support environmental organizations working hard to protect the beauty of Sonoma County! Together we can help keep Sonoma Wild!
Visit https://tapestryproductions.org/sonomawild
“Blue Spark of Inhambane Bay” is now streaming in the 2026 International Ocean Film Festival 🌊
Program #4: Hope Beneath the Surface
🎬 Through April 28
🎟️ 25% off with code ONLINE25 (ends April 17)
Watch the film here: bit.ly/3Q9ialO
📊 Data Update!
Two MPAs in Seychelles (>100,000 km² each) were implemented in 2025 - but size alone doesn’t ensure protection.
Industrial activity lowers Aldabra’s fishing score to incompatible, while extractive use is permitted in Amirantes.
Explore: mpatlas.org/countries/SYC/
Abrolhos Marine National Park - a member of the Blue Park Network - protects Brazil’s largest coral reef system, supporting high biodiversity and endemism. Research shows higher fish biomass and healthier reefs than less protected areas.
Happy #WildlifeWednesday!
10% of the ocean is reported as protected.
Only 3.2% is fully or highly protected.
As global targets push toward 30x30, the gap between coverage and effectiveness continues to grow.
What’s holding back real protection - and what will it take to close it?
🔗 marine-conservation.org/on-...
Protection is growing - but effectiveness is lagging.
Nearly 10% of the ocean is protected, but far less is fully or highly protected.
What’s holding effective protection back - and what does it actually require?
Read more: marine-conservation.org/on-...
Apply now for EarthEcho’s 2026 U.S. Ocean Protection Ambassador Program - a paid opportunity for 6 youth leaders ages 17–22 to launch impactful campaigns, receive mentorship from policy experts, and travel to D.C., for Capitol Hill Ocean Week.
Apply by April 29: bit.ly/OPA-apply
New Marine Protection Atlas update: Southeast Africa region.
Not all marine protection is equal - this snapshot shows the difference between fully protected areas and those with limited safeguards.
Explore the data: mpatlas.org/zones/300/
#OceanData
Premiering today: Life on the Edges by Blue Parks Ambassador Andi R Cross.
A 3-year, 45-country journey capturing real stories of ocean stewardship and climate resilience already in motion.
📍 4 PM @ International Ocean Film Festival
#OceanConservation
Moment #2 of 30 🌊
The High Seas Protection Portal brings together global data to support MPA proposals beyond national jurisdiction.
As BBNJ moves toward implementation, tools like this help turn policy into practice.
🔗 Read more on PrepCom and the Portal here: marine-conservation.org/on-...
This week for #WildlifeWednesday, we’re featuring Raja Ampat Islands Marine Conservation Area.
Where ocean currents meet, life thrives:
1,600+ reef fish species
75% of the world’s corals
Protection in this Blue Park keeps ecosystems strong 🌊
PrepCom3 has concluded - now the real work begins.
The systems being built today will determine whether High Seas MPAs are effective - or just exist on paper.
What happens next will define the road to COP1.
🔗 marine-conservation.org/on-...
At CMS COP15, Parties adopted new measures to protect seamount ecosystems - critical habitats for migratory species across ocean basins.
The decision calls for stronger protections from destructive fishing and reinforces precaution on deep-sea mining.
Implementation will be key.
Want to go beyond MPA coverage and explore effectiveness?
This webinar walks through how MPAtlas data can support conservation, research, and policy decisions.
🎥 Full session via the link here: youtu.be/7YIU6WeVVpQ?si=JKH...
Happy #WildlifeWednesday from Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary 💙
Remote, fully protected, and teeming with life – from reef species to whale sharks and hammerheads.
A powerful reminder of what the ocean can be when protection works.
#OceanConservation #MPAs
Happy #WildlifeWednesday 💙
In Tristan da Cunha, nutrient-rich waters support kelp forests, deep-sea habitats, and unique species found nowhere else.
It’s also a critical refuge - 90% of northern rockhopper penguins breed here.
Protection at scale matters.
#Webinar - Tracking Global MPA Effectiveness: MPAtlas Tools and Tips
By: Beth Pike, Jessica MacCarthy, and Nikki Harasta of @savingoceans.bsky.social / OCTO
When: March 26 2026
Discover more 👇
champ.ly/oRUY3ITc
With the High Seas Treaty now in force, countries are in New York working through how it will function in practice - from governance to financing to the structure of the secretariat.
We’re there as an observer, supporting science-based implementation.
#PrepCom #BBNJ #MarineConservation #MPA
Cerbère-Banyuls just passed its 5-year Blue Parks review.
Inside the reserve, fish are larger, biomass is higher, and protection is actively enforced with 1,100+ hours of monitoring each year.
Proof that effective ocean protection is built to last.
#BlueParks #30x30 #EnduringBlueParks
Happy #WildlifeWednesday from the Northern Channel Islands.
In the Channel Islands MPA network, fish biomass increased by 52% inside no-take zones - with benefits extending well beyond them. Incredible proof that strong protection drives real recovery.
#BlueParks
Tomorrow is Global Recycling Day - but waste travels far beyond where it’s discarded.
Even in Papahānaumokuākea, marine debris accumulates.
Through active cleanup efforts, this Blue Park shows that protection + stewardship go hand in hand.
In the Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Reserve life thrives beneath the surface.
Our reports show that fish caught nearby are 1.7× more abundant and 1.5× heavier than those in surrounding waters - evidence of the spillover benefits well-managed marine protected areas can provide.
Happy Wildlife Wednesday!
Day 61 of #Swim4TheOcean
924 km down. 463 km to go.
Jono Ridler is swimming the entire east coast of New Zealand’s North Island to help build momentum to end bottom trawling on seamounts.
24,000+ people have already added their names to the call.
Add yours here: liveocean.org/swim4theocean/
Moment #1 of 30
As Marine Conservation Institute marks 30 years, we’re reflecting on the people and ideas that shaped our work.
Founder Dr. Elliott Norse helped sound the alarm that ocean life was under threat - and championed places where marine wildlife could thrive.
#OceanConservation