2024: A Year of Going Big with Ocean Protection
As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect upon and celebrate key advancements in establishing and managing large-scale marine protected areas worldwide. Here are some significant highlights:
Natural Park of the Coral Sea (New Caledonia)
This year marked the 10th anniversary of establishing the Natural Park of the Coral Sea. On 23 April 2014, the New Caledonian government took a bold step and protected the countryʻs entire exclusive economic zone (EEZ). At the time, the Park was the largest protected area ever created. But 2024 was a banner year because protections were expanded by over 100,000 square kilometers, increasing integral reserves fourfold and nature reserves fivefold. Critical ecological corridors were also created with neighboring nations: Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. Reaching this 10-year milestone is a testament to the importance of strong relationships between conservation and community and the Kanak vision of the ocean, which intertwines cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and sustainable use.
Azores Marine Protected Area Network (Azores and Portugal)
This past October, the Azores unveiled the largest MPA network in the North Atlantic, covering 287,000 square kilometers– 30% of the sea surrounding the Azores archipelago. Given that less than 3% of the world’s oceans are fully or highly protected, and against the backdrop of 30x30, this inspiring decision advances global ocean protection goals and sets a powerful precedent for upcoming biodiversity negotiations. As a global model for integrating conservation and development, this network conserves critical marine habitats and supports sustainable local economies.
Marine Parks Australia (Australia)
As a consistent leader in ocean protection, it is unsurprising that Australia made some serious moves to quadruple marine protection in just this past year. Marine Parks Australia expanded two large-scale sites: The Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve by 310,000 square kilometers, bringing over 52% of the nation’s waters under protection, and the Macquarie Island Marine Park, which tripled in size and safeguarded vital sub-Antarctic ecosystems. Despite some calls for additional protections for critical ecosystems important to albatross, penguins, seals, and fish, the expanded commitments are being broadly celebrated.
Papahānaumokuākea (PMNM) (United States)
Since its initiation in 2021, momentum has steadily grown toward the sanctuary designation of Papahānaumokuākea. Earlier this month, NOAA released the final Environmental Impact Statement, marking a key milestone in a process that can take several years to complete. A final agency decision is anticipated in early 2025. If designated, new Sanctuary regulations will enhance the protection of vital resources and foster better coordination in conservation and management efforts.
Pacific Remote Islands (United States)
The Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument is also on the road to sanctuary designation, with President Biden directing NOAA to launch the process this past March. Unlike Papahānaumokuākea, this designation has boundaries that include the marine areas within the existing Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument and currently unprotected submerged lands and waters to the full extent of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. The estimated timeline to approve the Sanctuary designation will extend into late 2025. Still, Hawaiʻi-based organizations like the Pacific Remote Islands Coalition are working to increase collaboration and support between and amongst communities across the Pacific to help ensure this process is successful.
Rapa Nui Multiple Use Coastal Marine Protected Area & Motu Motiro Hiva Marine Park (Chile)
On August 11, an integrated management plan for Rapa Nui MUMPA and the Motu Motiro Hiva Marine Park was finalized through a referendum by the Indigenous Rapa Nui People. The Management Council, comprised of Chilean government agencies and indigenous Rapanui representation, together with partners, invested significant time and resources to ensure the plan included input from the local and Indigenous communities and recognized the importance of cultural practices and traditional fishing methods in successful conservation efforts. To learn how both protected areas were established, read Big Ocean’s Origin Story for Rapa Nui MUMP and Motu Motiro Hiva.
Mar de Juan Fernández (Chile)
The "Mar de Juan Fernández" Multipurpose Conservation Area adopted a new management plan under Chile’s new Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP). Among the most notable achievements of this process was the newly formed Local Management Council, representing community voices and tourism and fishing stakeholders. Known for having the highest level of marine species endemism in the world, the new management plan opens the doors for environmental education, research, and inspection.
Niue Moana Mahu (Niue)
In 2022, Niue established the Niue Moana Mahu Marine Protected Area. Combined with the Beveridge Reef Nukutuluea Special Management Area established in 2020, the nation protects 100% of its EEZ. To ensure these commitments could be financially sustainable, the community, with support from partners like the Blue Nature Alliance, pioneered an innovative conservation effort by dividing its surrounding ocean into 127,000 zones available for sponsorship. For about $150, individuals can directly contribute to protecting these vital marine ecosystems. This unique initiative earned Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Award in the nature category because it blends community engagement with global participation.
Tristan da Cunha (United Kingdom)
The 2024 Blue Park Awards were presented at the 9th Our Oceans Conference in Greece this past April. One of the three annual awards was given to large-scale MPA Tristan da Cunha for its remarkable contributions to preserving marine biodiversity and the community’s commitment to maintaining the high standards necessary to ensure protection now and for future generations. The Blue Park Awards were created in 2017 and are given annually to marine protected areas (MPAs), demonstrating exceptional conservation efforts and recognizing the work of National governments, Nonprofit organizations, MPA managers, and Local communities.
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (UK Overseas Territory)
In February, the government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands expanded protections of the surrounding waters, bringing 36% of the EEZ under legal no-take protection. One of the key changes that influenced the enhancement of the MPA was the return of baleen whales to their feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean. After being hunted to near extinction in South Georgia during whale poaching in the 1900s, whale populations are approaching 95% of pre-industrial numbers.
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Looking Forward: Congratulations to all the management teams driving these large-scale successes! As we celebrate, we encourage any community looking to “go big” with marine management to adopt best-practices for ocean conservation and protection at scale. For further guidance developed by and for managers, download and explore Large-Scale Marine Protected Ares: Guidelines for Design and Management, a publication co-produced by Big Ocean and IUCN.