MPA DAY

Every year on August 1, we celebrate MPA Day, a global recognition of marine protected areas and the essential role they play in ocean conservation. Marine protected areas are defined regions that are designated to safeguard marine resources and ecosystems and are managed for marine conservation. There are varying levels of protection for MPAs, with some lightly protected and other fully protected with all extractive practices prohibited; there are even MPAs which don't allow people to visit. MPAs are found worldwide, with certain nations having greater areas of their waters protected than others. At Oceanic Society, we’re proud to lead responsible travel to marine protected areas around the world. Our expeditions give travelers the rare opportunity to experience these thriving marine environments firsthand—like in Panama, where we visit three of the country’s 30+ MPAs. 📍Panama 📸 Ernesto Ocampo 📍Banda Sea 📸 John McCormick 📍Galapagos 📸 Pete Oxford 📍Puerto Rico 📸 Wayne Sentman tag @marineprotectedareasday / use their # "

OCEANS ALIVE CONSERVATION TRUST OUR OCEANS • OUR FUTURE Let's love, respect, appreciate and protect our oceans, nature, wildlife, and our amazing planet. MPA DAY 2025 MARINE PROTECTED AREAS DAY MPA Day in 2025 refers to Marine Protected Areas Day, a global celebration held annually on August 1 each year. MPA Day originated in South Africa in 2021 to mark the proclamation of 20 new, or expanded MPAs on the 1st August 2019. Themes & Significance for 2025 • The 2025 theme is “Making Connections” (also described as “Ocean Protection Needs Human Connection”) emphasizing our bond with the ocean and the pivotal role people play in ocean conservation. • Globally now observed in at least 12 countries, MPA Day has become a major platform to raise awareness about MPAs and ocean stewardship. • In 2024, the celebration included 40+ in‑person activities, 5 online events, involvement across 22 Mission Blue Hope Spots, and reached over 10 million people on social media. Events include: • Pre‑ and post‑Day activities include clean‑ups, beach walks, workshops and virtual events held between late July and mid‑August, particularly across South Africa’s coastal regions. • Beach clean‑ups, rocky shore explorations, snorkelling sessions, mural painting, “From Shore to Sea” recycled art, virtual tours, writing workshops, live shark lab open days, and much more. • Cleanups at Muizenberg and Fish Hoek, a live broadcast and film screenings at Two Oceans Aquarium, and interactive community projects in Kommetjie, Simon’s Town, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Sodwana Bay and other sites. • The initiative supports the global 30×30 target to protect 30 % of land & ocean by 2030, and aligns with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development challenge #10. How You Can Get Involved 1. Attend events on or around the 1st August and check local MPA activities (e.g. beach clean-up, snorkeling, workshops). 2. Join online initiatives like webinars, social media challenges (e.g. #MPADay, photo competitions). 3. Explore MPAs yourselfand visit an MPA and learn more about the marine ecosystems being protected. 4. Support or follow partner organizations: Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, SAAMBR, ORI, Ushaka Seaworld, Mission Blue, Youth4MPAs, Oceans Alive Conservation Trust, and many others involved locally and globally. Mission To boost awareness and support for Marine Protected Areas and ocean conservation. South Africa has a total of 42 MPAs, which cover a variety of marine environments, including coastal waters, estuaries, and offshore areas. OUR PLANET • OUR FUTURE “Caring for our Oceans” “Caring for our Rivers” “Stronger Together” “Changing Lives” WITH THE PEOPLE • FOR THE PEOPLE www.oceans-alive.org #marineprotectedareaday2025 #marineprotectedareaday #wildlife #endangeredspecies #marinewildlife #respect #appreciation #ocean #animals #nature #saveouroceans #saveourwildlife #saveourplanet #future #protection #conservation #today #follow

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are more than just protected zones - they are lifelines for our oceans. These special areas give marine life room to recover, protect endangered species, and keep vital ecosystems like kelp forests and seagrass beds alive and thriving. They also support people, from small-scale fishers to coastal communities who rely on healthy seas for their livelihood. CapeNature proudly manages 7 of South Africa’s 42 MPAs, along with 13 estuaries and 4 nearshore islands. Through science, monitoring, and collaboration, we work closely with our partners to protect these areas for future generations. Happy Marine Protected Areas Day 💙 #MPADay2025 #LetsTalkMPAs #MarineProtectedAreas #CapeNature #OceanConservation #MarineBiodiversity

In celebration of #MPADay events taking place around the world this month, we have just the right podcast episode that transports you to the exciting world of marine conservation. In Episode 6, we sit down with Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics, for an insightful conversation that spans his remarkable career. From his early days as a spear and diamond diver – including the extraordinary discovery of an 18th-century shipwreck – Wilfred shares the strategic vision behind building his leading eco-tourism empire. Discover how Marine Dynamics has evolved beyond iconic whale watching and shark cage diving experiences to become a critical force in marine conservation. This episode highlights their direct funding of vital research, their commitment to protecting endangered species like sharks and penguins, and their dedication to creating impactful, life-changing ocean experiences. Learn how the #BlueTourism model, championed by Wilfred and his team, serves as a powerful engine for both crucial scientific research and significant community upliftment in the Western Cape. This is an essential listen for professionals in tourism, conservation, and sustainable business development. Listen to the full discussion: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.pzurl.co/BAMJz #SustainableTourism #MarineConservation #Leadership #EcoTourism #WesternCape #ImpactInvesting #ConservationLeadership #PodcastRecommendation #GreenNoise #CapeNature

CapeNature kicked off #MPADay2025 with a vibrant, community-driven beach clean-up at Rocherpan Nature Reserve on 31 July. With the help of enthusiastic school learners from Velddrif Primary and @sharkspotters, we highlighted how protecting our oceans starts with us. Now in its fifth year, Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day is a global movement raising awareness about the crucial role MPAs play in conserving biodiversity and ensuring the long-term health of our oceans. This year’s theme, “Ocean Protection Needs Human Connection”, reminds us that every action counts, and together, we can protect our marine ecosystems for generations to come. 💙 🔗 Read more: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.pzurl.co/o2f7h #MPADay2025 #LetsTalkMPAs #RocherpanNatureReserve #CapeNature #SharkSpotters

🌊 Happy MPA Day! Today, we celebrate the essential role of Marine Protected Areas in safeguarding biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience, and supporting coastal communities. The MPA Community Network is proud to bring together projects, practitioners, and stakeholders working across Europe and beyond to share knowledge, co-create solutions, and advance effective MPA management. 🎥 Discover their special video celebrating MPA Day and showcasing the collective impact of our community. Together, we can plan better, protect more, and build a resilient future for our oceans. 💙 Learn more about the MPA Community Network here: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/et7BNmbq #MPADay #MarineProtectedAreas

MPA Day is always a highlight of my annual calendar. Every year on 1 Aug our tribe of ocean lovers gather to celebrate the sanctity of our Marine Protected Areas. This year, activities spanned the entire globe, with over 100 individual activities taking place. From water and sand sampling to beach clean ups to surf skiing, swimming and diving, our team started off at sunrise to witness the 33km stretch of our treasure by water and from the beach. Watch our highlight reel and recap from the heros on the ground. It’s always an honour to be a part of this amazing movement. #letstalkmpas #mpaday2025 #mpaday @wildallianceafrica @oceansfestival @surfskisouthafrica

Wir waren dabei! Beim MPA DAY 2025. Bereits zum fünften Mal wurde der „Internationale Tag der Meeresschutzgebiete“ am 1. August veranstaltet, erstmals auch in Deutschland. Vielen ist gar nicht bewusst, wie vielfältig und voller Wunder sich auch die Meeresschutzgebiete der Ostsee zeigen. Der Landschaftspflegeverein Dummersdorfer Ufer e.V. stellt seit Mai die Buchtranger in der Wismarbucht. Im Rahmen des MPA DAY hatten diese zu zwei fachkund­lichen Ausfahrten rund um die Vogelschutzinsel Walfisch geladen. Die Gäste waren begeistert – trotz der Schauer zwischendurch 🌦️ – von der Vielzahl an Wat- und Wasservögeln🪿🦢🦆, die sie vom Boot aus beobachten konnten. Bei der ersten Tour zeigten sich sogar einige Robben 🦭 🦭 . „Ocean protection needs human connection“, frei übersetzt „Meeresschutz braucht die Verbindung zu den Menschen“, war das diesjährige Motto des „Marine Protected Areas Day“. Wir freuen uns, dass wir dabei waren, so wie weltweit mehr als 100 Veranstalter in über 30 Ländern. #marineprotectedareasday #MPADay2025 #biodiversität #biologischevielfalt #natürlicherklimaschutz #dummersdorferufer #bundmv #inselpoel #meeresschutzgebiet #hotspot28 #aktionsprogrammnatürlicherklimaschutz #bmukn #bfn #inselpoel #wismarbucht #naturschutz Landschaftspflegeverein Dummersdorfer Ufer e.V. HOTSPOT28 Luisa Pfeiffer Chiara Knüpfer Bernhild A. Stegemann Jessica Richter Angela Braun Bundesamt für Naturschutz - Federal Agency for Nature Conservation Simone Eisenbarth Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland e.V. (BUND Bundesgeschäftsstelle) Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit (BMUKN)

Vielfältig und voller Wunder! So zeigen sich die Meeresschutzgebiete weltweit - und auch der Ostsee. Vielen ist das gar nicht so bewusst. Mit Veranstaltungen im Rahmen des Internationalen Tages der Meeres­schutzgebiete MPA DAY, der seit 2021 immer am 1. August stattfindet, soll sich das ändern. Dieses Mal waren auch wir vom Landschaftspflegeverein Dummersdorfer Ufer e.V., der seit Mai 2025 die Bucht­ranger in der Wismarbucht stellt, dabei. Die Ranger hatten zu zwei fachkund­lichen Ausfahrten rund um die Vogelschutzinsel Walfisch geladen. Die Gäste waren begeistert, trotz der Schauer zwischendurch 🌦️ 🙃 von der unberührten Natur 🌿 und der Vielzahl an Wat- und Wasservögeln 🦢🪿🦅, die sie vom Boot aus beobachten konnten. Bei der ersten Tour zeigten sich sogar einige Robben 🦭🦭 .   Auf dem Walfisch, der ehrenamtlich vom Verein Langenwerder betreut wird, herrscht das ganze Jahr über Betretungsverbot. Allein die Vogel­wärter des Vereins dürfen sich auf der kleinen Insel inmitten der Wismarbucht aufhalten, beispiels­weise um Zählungen durchzuführen, Vögel zu beringen oder auch einfach, um dafür zu sorgen, dass niemand auf der Insel anlandet und die Tiere während der Brutzeit oder Rast stört.   „Ocean protection needs human connection“, frei übersetzt „Meeresschutz braucht die Verbindung zu den Menschen“, war das diesjährige Motto des MPA DAY (Marine Protected Areas Day). Vom Norden Schleswig-Holsteins bis an die östlichste Grenze Mecklenburg-Vorpommerns, von der Küste bis weit draußen im Meer, reichen die Schutzgebiete, die dafür sorgen sollen, dass die Vielzahl an Arten und Lebensräumen bewahrt werden kann. Am 1. August hatten deshalb die Schutzgebietsver­waltungen des Bundes und der Küstenbundesländer Schleswig-Holstein und Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, unterstützt von Vereinen und Verbänden eingeladen, damit die Menschen vor Ort mehr über diese besonderen Gebiete erfahren. Toll, dass wir dabei waren, so wie weltweit 100 Veranstalter in über 30 Ländern.   #dummersdorferufer #aktionsprogrammnatürlicherklimaschutz #bmukn #bfn #inselpoel #wismarbucht #naturschutz   Landschaftspflegeverein Dummersdorfer Ufer e.V. HOTSPOT28 Luisa Pfeiffer Chiara Knüpfer Bernhild A. Stegemann Jessica Richter Angela Braun Bundesamt für Naturschutz - Federal Agency for Nature Conservation Lena Hohls Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland e.V. (BUND Bundesgeschäftsstelle)

No words - just enormous gratitude from the bottom of my heart to everyone who worked so hard to make #MPADay2025 such a success. Over 100 events in 31 countries on 7 continents. And best of all - 112 partners all connecting for ocean protection. #LetsTalkMPAs #MarineConservation #Communication4Nature #MPADay MPA DAY