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Abéné MPA, within the West Africa Marine Ecoregion, protects a stretch of Senegalese coastline south of The Gambia. Its primary objective is to rebuild fish stocks that had fallen to critical levels as a result of overfishing, rising sea levels and pollution.

Local communities lobby for change

Coastal communities were instrumental in the creation of Abéné MPA after livelihoods became severely threatened by the impacts of overfishing. Rising sea levels and pollution worsened the situation by driving fish into deeper waters while forcing fishing communities further inland.
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Local calls for marine protection led to a collaborative study by the World Wildlife Fund and partner organisations to identify suitable areas for replenishing fisheries. Abéné MPA was one of Senegal’s first marine conservation projects, and local communities have been actively involved in its management ever since it was founded. Their engagement includes participating in its management body, the Comité de gestion, and in workshops during the drafting of its 2023-27 Development and Management Plan.

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Local communities must be at the heart of MPA governance as they are the primary beneficiaries of conservation projects

Clear regulations for locals and visitors

Abéné MPA prohibits fishing so that depleted fish stocks can recover. Extending 11 km offshore, the MPA also protects the area’s wider biodiversity, which includes dolphins and turtles.
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Measures are in place to enforce compliance with the MPA’s rules and regulations, including legal and financial penalties. However, it is worth noting that Abéné is visited by a high number of seasonal migrants. This can increase enforcement challenges as many may be unfamiliar with the breadth of restrictions.

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Abéné MPA is attempting to rebuild Senegal’s groundfish stocks, which had collapsed to 20% of their 1950 levels by 2003

Collaborating nationally and internationally

Abéné is one of 14 MPAs in Senegal’s national MPA network, and one of 38 protected areas participating in the Regional Network of Marine Protected Areas in West Africa (RAMPAO). These span Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone.
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The Senegalese MPA network seeks to achieve policy coherence, while the RAMPAO collaboration aims to promote regional biodiversity conservation and the restoration of marine and coastal habitats.

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The Regional Network of Marine Protected Areas in West Africa includes the MPAs of nine countries

Defining protections for habitats and species 

Abéné’s Development and Management Plan for 2023 to 2027 seeks to conserve biological resources and habitats, and promote stakeholder participation in MPA management. This includes development of MPA communications and promoting the value of conservation initiatives. 
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Currently, there are no specific measures for regulating dredging and mining, which are extractive activities that can harm habitats and species. This indicates opportunities to enhance conservation outcomes.

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Fishing, tourism and construction have reduced the number of safe nesting grounds for Senegal's turtles, which are protected under law

Developing innovative approaches to finance

The 2023-27 Development and Management Plan for Abéné MPA budgeted US$2.9m for management activities during this five-year period. However, Abéné is currently reliant on international funding to achieve this.
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MPAs benefit from dedicated internal funding mechanisms to support ongoing management. For example, some MPAs charge fees to visitors, with the amount to be paid depending on their use of the area. There are also many other financial strategies, such as impact investments and blue finance initiatives. 

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Developing innovative approaches to funding

The success of Abéné MPA is vital for Senegal’s surrounding fisheries, which contribute over 3% to the country’s GDP

Gathering proof of impacts and outcomes

Monitoring Abéné MPA currently takes place on an ad hoc basis, with limited use of systematic data collection to assess environmental, economic and social outcomes. However, the 2023-27 Development and Management Plan includes an objective to improve monitoring, with increased surveillance patrols for critical areas and new watchtowers and guard posts.
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Local communities could benefit from a more structured approach to measurement. This would not only support Abéné’s objective of replenishing fisheries, but also many related issues, such as protecting mangrove forests that are vital for coastal defence and soil desalination.

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Senegal has undertaken the world’s largest mangrove reforestation, with 100,000 people helping to plant almost 80m trees

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EI x Blancpain Abéné

A key Senegalese conservation project seeking to replenish depleted fisheries


Abéné Marine Protected Area

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The Galápagos archipelago has long been of significant importance for evolutionary biology. The volcanic islands sit at the junction of several ocean currents, giving rise to a unique and highly biodiverse marine ecosystem that includes many endangered species.

Promoting citizen participation

Galápagos Province is inhabited by approximately 32,000 residents, most of whom live on the island of Santa Cruz. 
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Ecuador’s 2010 Law of Citizen Participation paved the way for community involvement during the planning stages of the Reserve. This included a survey of 200 Galápagos National Park Directorate rangers and two working groups of rangers and provincial authorities, which helped to guide development of the Reserve’s 2014 management plan. Additionally, 600 community members were consulted during the development of the zoning plans that were introduced in 2016.

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Citizens make up almost half of the Provincial Planning Assembly for the Galápagos Islands 

Blue bonds for green financing

Galápagos Marine Reserve is financed by a mix of established mechanisms and innovative approaches, including the world’s largest ‘debt-for-nature swap’. This novel green financing strategy enables a country to reduce its debt liability in exchange for conservation commitments.
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In 2023 Ecuador exchanged just over US$1.6bn of its debt in a deal that will generate US$12m annually for conservation initiatives for 18 years. The deal is also set to generate US$5.4m annually for the Galapagos Life Fund to support initiatives beyond this period. 
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Furthermore, the Galápagos Marine Reserve receives 5% of all entrance fees to the Galápagos National Park.

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Ecuador’s debt-for-nature swap will generate US$323m for conservation projects around the Galápagos Islands over the next 18 years

Linking MPAs to meet the 2030 UN goal

Ecuador is a founding member of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor, which seeks to coordinate conservation activities across a network of MPAs, including the Galápagos Marine Reserve. Established in partnership with Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama in 2004, the collaboration is working towards sustainable use of marine resources across the region.
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MPA partnerships can make a greater contribution to the UN goal of safeguarding 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030. The founders of the Marine Corridor have pledged to link their MPAs to create a ‘mega MPA’, and Mexico’s Revillagigedo National Park joined the network in 2021 due to its migratory importance for many species.

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In 2021 Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama pledged to create the world's largest transboundary ‘mega MPA’

Diving into the details of conservation

The Galápagos Strategic Plan 2030 addresses many conservation challenges, including pollution, overfishing, climate change and invasive species. The plan seeks to protect biodiversity, but also recognises the economic needs of local communities by allowing small-scale fishing and tourism in certain areas.
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The Management Plan for the Protected Areas of Galápagos for Good Living (2014) seeks to manage the conservation of ecosystems and marine biodiversity. However, there are opportunities to introduce specific protections for aspects of the Reserve, such as the islands’ many diverse marine habitats. Regulating activities such as dredging, bottom trawling and mining could also enhance the approach to conservation.

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Unique to the Galápagos Islands, the marine iguana is the only aquatic lizard in the world

Analysing a marine region’s key challenges

The Galápagos Marine Reserve collects data on an ad hoc basis, with the majority of research focused on ecological issues. Conservation NGOs working on the Reserve tend to gather and publish information more frequently, such as annual impact reports from the Galápagos Conservancy.
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The Reserve faces many significant challenges that could benefit from a more consistent approach to measurement. For example, collecting environmental, economic and social data about the impacts of fishing and tourism, and understanding how conservation measures affect local communities.

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The Galápagos Islands have experienced a fourfold increase in tourist numbers between 1998 and 2022

Strategic placement of no-take zones

The Galápagos region has long been under threat from overfishing by Ecuadorean and foreign fleets, yet only 33% of the Marine Reserve is currently designated as a no-take zone. The boundaries of the Marine Reserve are circled by vast flotillas of fishing vessels, putting many migratory species such as sharks at risk.
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In 2022 Ecuador established the 60,000-sq km Hermandad Reserve to mitigate some of these threats. 50% of this new area is designated as no-take zones that protect vital marine migratory routes along the Cocos Ridge between Galápagos and Costa Rica.

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The 700-km Galapagos-Cocos Swimway is a migration route for many marine species such as sharks and turtles

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EI x Blancpain Galápagos Marine Reserve (1)

One of the world’s most famous MPAs, drawing over 2m visitors every year

Galápagos Marine Reserve

Galapagos Globe MPA

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The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park includes the world’s largest coral reef system, which is the largest structure made by living organisms. Equivalent in size to Germany, this popular destination encompasses 900 islands and 3,000 reefs, and supports over 9,000 marine species.

Multi-channel approach to outreach

Local communities have been consulted on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park since it was established in 1975. Engagement was particularly high in advance of the 2003 Zoning Plan, for which all proposals were open for feedback and amendment. To encourage engagement, the Marine Park Authority made extensive use of questionnaires, meetings, media coverage and other outreach activities.
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Governance requirements for the Marine Park Authority stipulate the need to have at least one Indigenous member. There are also 11 Local Marine Advisory Committees and two expertise-based Reef Advisory Committees to involve communities in ongoing MPA management.
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Furthermore, local communities and visitors can join many volunteering initiatives, including citizen science projects.

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Community response during two participation phases contributed valuable local opinion to the 2003 Great Barrier Reef Zoning Plan

Strengthening ecosystem resilience

The Corporate Plan 2023-24 for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park contains detailed objectives, priorities and initiatives for management and conservation, including measures for protecting marine habitats and species.
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Three of the plan’s four objectives focus on enhancing coral reef resilience, including working to mitigate the effects of climate change and developing enhanced approaches to maritime spatial planning. The Marine Park also seeks to deliver stronger legislative and governing arrangements.
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Additionally, the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan 2021-25 aims to conserve the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef through collaboration with government, industries and communities. Priorities include reducing the amount of marine debris from outside Australia, and protecting and restoring habitats, species and heritage sites. 

Scientists are examining ways to optimise coral spawning to accelerate reef recovery after disturbances such as bleaching and cyclones

Informed sustainability decisions  

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park uses integrated marine management (IMM) with maritime spatial planning to coordinate users of the region. This enables the governing authority to understand the diverse and often competing needs of stakeholders, which helps to guide decisions about the most sustainable use of marine resources.
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The Marine Park has been publicly recognised for its use of IMM, particularly for the 2003 Marine Park Zoning Plan that introduced specific rules for areas to ensure responsible use. Sound scientific approach and comprehensive public engagement are cited as key factors driving its success.

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Each zone of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park provides a specific level of protection, and includes strict ‘no-go’ preservation areas

Building the world’s largest coral study

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority operates two continuous monitoring programmes to provide consistent data about the region. 
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The Great Barrier Reef Marine Monitoring Program has been conducting surveys and reporting on water quality and the health of inshore coral and seagrass for over 15 years. Additionally, the Authority oversees the Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program that monitors trends and changes in the environment to facilitate effective and transparent management decisions. 
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The Marine Park Authority also issues regular reef health reports between May and November of each year, and produces an outlook report every five years. The most recent outlook report was published in 2019 and the next one is due later this year.

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Building the world’s most comprehensive coral study

Towing a diver helps to monitor large areas of coral reef for broad changes in organism quantity and distribution

Setting the conditions for resilience and recovery

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was rezoned in 2004, expanding the coverage of no-take areas from under 5% to just over 33%. Each zone has specific rules, such as granting permits for extractive activities or allowing trolling for pelagic fish species only. There are even no-go zones in which scientific research is restricted, but these currently make up less than 1% of the Marine Park.
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The Great Barrier Reef faces pressing challenges from human activities and natural threats. Future expansion of the no-take zones is one option for increasing the level of protection as this can limit disturbances and help ecosystems to bounce back.

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Ecosystems within no-take zones can more easily resist and recover from disturbances, such as outbreaks of coral-eating starfish

Looking at MPAs from every angle

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority regularly publishes data on environmental outcomes such as the status of marine species and habitats. It also publishes data on economic outcomes such as tourist numbers, tourism revenue, employment in fisheries and the value of marine landings.
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Currently, however, the Marine Park collects less data on social outcomes, indicating an opportunity to learn more about how conservation activities affect local communities. Zoning restrictions can bring many direct and indirect benefits and challenges, from clear impacts on livelihoods to subtle changes in well-being and mental health.

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Whales and dolphins are protected in the Great Barrier Reef, with vulnerable species considered a high management priority

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EI x Blancpain Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

One of the world’s most famous MPAs, drawing over 2m visitors every year


Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

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Gwaii Haanas protects the southern islands of the Haida Gwaii archipelago off the coast of British Columbia. The integrated National Park, Marine Conservation Area and Haida Heritage Site are known for their rich flora, fauna and cultural legacy.

Respect, responsibility and interconnectedness

Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve is jointly managed by the Government of Canada and the Indigenous Haida Nation, whose people have lived on the islands for over 12,500 years. Both groups are represented equally on the Archipelago Management Board. 
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Communities and conservationists are instrumental in this cooperative approach to management. During the development of the 2018 Gwaii Haanas management plan, the Archipelago Management Board worked closely with a diverse Advisory Committee, including Haida citizens and key groups such as fishers and tour operators. This added essential local insights to the development process. 

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The Haida word for respect is one of six guiding principles of the 2018 Gwaii Haanas Land-Sea-People Management Plan

Managing the region as a single ecosystem

One hundred years of extractive activities had taken its toll on the Haida Gwaii islands, particularly logging, mining, fishing and whaling. Community protests from the 1970s onwards led to the Gwaii Haanas Agreement of 1993 that established a joint commitment to protect the southern region of the islands.
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The 2018 Gina ’Waadluxan KilGuhlGa Land-Sea-People Management Plan sets out an integrated blueprint for regional conservation. Objectives include protection of habitats and species, restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems, and a commitment to manage fisheries using an ecosystem-based approach. It also protects the natural heritage of the Haida Nation and the continuity of its culture.

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Ecosystem imbalances greatly reduced the kelp forest habitats that provide essential feeding grounds and natural breakwaters

Collaborative approach to resolving disputes

The spirit of cooperation between the Haida Nation and the Government of Canada can be found in many aspects of management, including a clear dispute resolution process set out in the 2010 Gwaii Haanas Marine Agreement.
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If the Archipelago Management Board cannot reach agreement on a matter, it is referred to senior representatives of the three organisations in charge of management – the Council of the Haida Nation, Parks Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The dispute resolution process also includes an option to engage mutually agreed third parties to help in mediation.

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Negotiation and legal action have helped to limit commercial herring fisheries in Gwaii Haanas so that stocks can recover

Developing a multi-use approach to zoning

Planning for the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve employed integrated marine management with maritime spatial planning to establish three types of marine zone. Multiple activities are permitted in a large proportion of the Reserve. However, there are Strict Protection Zones in which fishing and aquaculture are prohibited. There are also Restricted Access Zones that can be visited only for research, monitoring and restoration work.
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When the Marine Conservation Area was established in 2010, only 3% was designated as no-take. This grew to 40% when the Land-Sea-People Management Plan was launched in 2018.

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Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve protects the waters up to 10 km from the archipelago coastline

Analysing an evolving ecosystem

Data collection for Gwaii Haanas is undertaken on an ad hoc basis, such as the 2022 Implementation Report of the Multi-species Action Plan 2016-21. The plan focused on 40 species at risk and one species of conservation concern. It set population and distribution objectives, and included site-based recovery measures. The report measured progress towards these goals. 
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There are many other opportunities to gather consistent data sets on species, habitats and changes to the region. One such change is the return of sea otters (‘Ḵu•Ḵuu’), which were hunted to near extinction for their fur.
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‘Ḵu•Ḵuu’ are culturally significant for the Haida people, and their disappearance reshaped the marine ecosystem, most notably causing a huge reduction in kelp forests due to an absence of predators for kelp-eating sea urchins. 

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Reestablishing endangered sea otters will help to balance the Gwaii Haanas coastal ecosystem over the coming decades

Establishing a consistent measure of results  

Environmental, economic and social outcomes for Gwaii Haanas are currently measured only rarely. A key report on outcomes was published in 2022, detailing the results of a five-year Multi-species Action Plan that achieved 19 out of 23 recovery actions.
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Regular measurement of outcomes provides a detailed picture of whether conservation initiatives are meeting their objectives, while also enhancing general understanding of an area. For example, tourism has come to play a much larger role in the economy of Gwaii Haanas as more people visit to experience its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

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Tour operators in Gwaii Haanas have been encouraged to provide data on the numbers and distribution of certain species of interest

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EI x Blancpain Gwaii Haanas

An integrated conservation initiative with a cooperative approach to management


Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site

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The Marine National Monument protects a vast stretch of ocean around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The region is home to over 7,000 species, including many threatened and endangered plants and animals. It is also culturally significant for local communities.

Conservation from an indigenous perspective

The Monument’s 2008 management plan sets out a 15-year strategy to guide the work of its Management Board. It focuses on six priority objectives that include conservation of wildlife and habitats, reducing threats to resources, and placing limitations on use of the area.
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Management of the Monument is also influenced by the 2021 Mai Ka Pō Mai guidance document, which is based on more than a decade of discussions with local communities. This gives agencies a Native Hawaiian perspective so that traditional values and practices can be integrated into all areas of MPA management.

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The Monument protects approximately 70% of the total coral reef area of the United States

Full visibility of the region

The Monument benefits from a comprehensive annual monitoring programme for its many conservation initiatives. The findings play a key role in decision-making, including shaping management strategies and activities.
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Environmental data are collected through 13 projects that cover diverse aspects such as wildlife, habitats and maritime heritage.
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One particular focus is monitoring the effects of marine debris that floats into the area. For example, derelict fishing gear poses a significant threat as it entangles wildlife and can introduce invasive species.

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A vast amount of derelict fishing gear floats into Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument every year

Encouraging local involvement 

The Monument actively involves local communities in its management processes, most notably through the Mai Ka Pō Mai management guidance document, which is the product of more than a decade of consultation. Further recommendations and advice are provided by the community-based Reserve Advisory Council, which helps to steer decisions on research, conservation and tourism.
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There are also opportunities for local residents to undertake conservation activities. The Monument recruits volunteers for a wide range of projects, including marine debris removal and support to scientific research.

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The Hawaiian Archipelago is made up of eight populated islands and 124 smaller islands, atolls and reefs

Strong regulations with scope for growth

The Monument restricts use of the area to specific activities such as conservation, education, research, recreation and Native Hawaiian practices. The entire MPA is a no-take zone, with extractive activities such as fishing, mining and drilling prohibited.
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New conservation measures are introduced as scientists learn more about the region. Major discoveries include an endangered species of humpback whale that visits during the winter, and the Leiopathes annosa black coral found at depths of up to 1,600 feet.

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The discovery of a species of deepwater black coral turned out to be one of the planet’s oldest marine organisms

A clear framework for navigating disputes

Conservation areas can trigger disagreements over a wide variety of issues: competition for resources, for example, as well as the restriction of traditional activities such as fishing in ancestral grounds.
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Balancing conservation activities with the needs of local communities can help to mitigate conflict, but MPAs also benefit from clear dispute resolution processes laid out in management documentation.
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The Monument’s Senior Executive Board is responsible for resolving disputes, but there is limited publicly available information about the resolution framework. This could indicate an opportunity to develop a transparent process for the swift resolution of disagreements.

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The islands of Nihoa and Mokumanamana contain many sites of Native Hawaiian cultural importance

Identifying the broader impacts of conservation

The Monument carries out extensive environmental monitoring to steer its conservation strategies. However, there appears to be less publicly available data on the economic and social outcomes.

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MPAs can affect local communities and nations in various ways. Understanding these outcomes provides many opportunities to enhance MPA management, and can also help to boost engagement with local communities and other stakeholders.

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Fishing restrictions within the Monument have significantly increased the catch rate of yellowfin tuna in surrounding areas

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EI x Blancpain Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

One of the very largest MPAs, spanning 1.5m sq km of ocean

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

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This remote MPA spans two sub-Antarctic volcanic islands in the Southern Ocean. Scarcity of land in the region makes the Prince Edward Islands vital for the many species of seal and seabird that breed there, including vast penguin populations.

Cross-government coordination 

South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) manages the Prince Edward Islands MPA using an integrated marine management approach that includes maritime spatial planning. This emphasises careful coordination of all relevant stakeholders to achieve sustainable use of the region’s resources.
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The Marine Spatial Planning National Working Group brings together all government authorities that have a presence in the marine environment. Chaired by the DFFE, the working group includes officials from defence, energy, environmental affairs, fisheries, mineral resources, planning, science and technology, telecommunications, tourism, and transport.

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Prince Edward Islands MPA was established to reverse decades of overfishing, in particular a collapse in Patagonian toothfish numbers

Restricting marine activities and equipment

Prince Edward Islands MPA is divided into a number of Restricted Zones linked by a Controlled Zone. The central area around the islands is a ‘no-take’ sanctuary, which extends for 12 nautical miles, within which all extractive activities, such as fishing, are prohibited. Other zones place restrictions on boat-based fishing and the use of specific fishing gear.
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South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) rigorously enforces the rules and regulations, with penalties for non-compliance ranging from fines to imprisonment.

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Tracking seal and albatross movements by satellite helped to define the conservation zones of the Prince Edward Islands MPA

Resolving disputes in the context of the region

MPA disputes tend to arise from issues such as competing uses of the area, right-of-access restrictions and justification of the need for conservation measures. 
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South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) introduced a structured dispute resolution process that is administered by its Panel of Mediators and Arbitrators. The panel uses its services to understand the nature of environmental conflicts and decide on solutions. However, this mechanism is not specific to the Prince Edward Islands MPA or to MPAs in other South African waters.

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Spanning 180,000 sq km, the Prince Edward Islands MPA protects most of South Africa’s ecosystem diversity in the Southern Ocean

Understanding stakeholder needs

Planning for the Prince Edward Islands MPA included consultations in 2005-07 with fishing industry representatives and NGOs. However, ongoing management of the MPA does not currently include any further stakeholder engagement. 
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Maintaining close contact with relevant stakeholders provides many opportunities to enhance the approach to conservation. It can reduce the number of disputes, help with the monitoring of economic and social outcomes, and encourage buy-in and support for MPA initiatives. 

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Largely untouched until recent years, the Southern Ocean has seen a rapid increase in human activity and impacts  

Minimising the risk of non-compliance

The Management Plan for the Prince Edward Islands was developed in 2010 and approved in 2014. However, it only covers land above the low water mark of the islands, rather than the wider MPA.
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A draft plan for managing the MPA was developed in 2008 as a collaboration between the World Wildlife Fund and South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). It addresses key challenges such as the recovery of depleted fish stocks and the need to reduce fishing equipment risks for seabirds. However, the plan has yet to be formally adopted, which could undermine its effectiveness. 
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A ratified management plan provides a clear direction for conservation initiatives and a solid legal framework for enforcement. It also helps conservation teams achieve optimal value from available resources.

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Longline fishing is the technique of laying multiple baited hooks, which put seabirds at risk of being caught and drowned 

Measuring the success of MPA objectives

Environmental data for the Prince Edward Islands MPA are collected at defined intervals, and include annual studies undertaken by the South African maritime research vessel SA Agulhas II. However, data on economic and social outcomes do not appear to be gathered regularly
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A key driver for establishing the MPA was to address the significant economic and ecological losses caused by decades of overfishing. Expanding the scope of collected data may help to generate a more detailed picture of one of South Africa’s most important conservation initiatives.

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The Prince Edward Islands MPA protects South Africa’s only sub-Antarctic benthic ecosystem, which provides essential food for larger species

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EI x Blancpain Prince Edward Islands

A globally significant MPA, protecting some of the world’s most pristine waters

Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Area

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The Revillagigedo Archipelago of four volcanic islands lies south of the Baja peninsula in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Largely uninhabited, this popular diving destination supports an extensive array of marine life, including dolphins, manta rays, sharks and whales.

Partnering to protect large stretches of ocean  

Regional conservation initiatives can amplify the impacts of their activities through collaboration. Revillagigedo National Park is part of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor, which is a voluntary network of MPAs that started in 2004 as a partnership between Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia and Panama. Established with the support of governments and international agencies, the network seeks to develop a cooperative management approach for the corridor’s rich marine biodiversity.
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Partnerships such as this can harmonise conservation methods across wide stretches of ocean, while offering all the benefits of inter-agency cooperation such as sharing of resources and best practice.

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The Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean stretches across the waters of 12 nations

Maximising objectives and obligations

MPA management plans should be developed with broad consideration of relevant national and international objectives in mind. The 2019 Revillagigedo National Park Management Program establishes measures for protecting marine habitats and species, and includes a ban on fishing, dumping and mining. The Management Program also aligns with Mexico's obligations under international agreements, such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
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The islands are managed by Mexico’s National Commission of Natural Protected Areas in partnership with various government authorities, NGOs and university partners.

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Protecting the Revillagigedo Islands is essential for their abundance of fish species, many of which are unique to the region

Increasing the size and scope of MPAs

The six nautical miles around the Revillagigedo Islands of Clarión, Roca Partida, San Benedicto and Socorro have been protected since 1994 as a Mexican biosphere reserve. Establishing the MPA as a ‘no-take’ zone in 2017 expanded the protected area to 12 nautical miles and almost 150,000 sq km.
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The Revillagigedo Islands were a popular destination for industrial and sport fishing, but these are now prohibited along with other extractive activities. Monitoring and enforcement are conducted collaboratively by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas, the Secretariat of the Navy, the National Commission on Aquaculture and Fisheries, and the Environmental Law Enforcement Agency.

Mexican fishing vessels must carry a vessel monitoring system (VMS) transponder that permanently registers their position

A complex marine habitat at the confluence of the California and Equatorial currents


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Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park