From the 2023 Our Ocean Conference taking place this week in Panama, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has announced the launch of a new global 30x30 Ocean Accelerator to advance the historic goal of protecting and conserving at least 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030 – ”30x30.”

The Government of Mozambique approved by Resolution of Council of Ministers, the National Strategy for the Management and Conservation of Coral Reefs.

Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced it is expanding its commitment to protect the ocean, coastal communities and marine ecosystems. The Bloomberg Ocean Initiative will invest $204 million to leverage data-driven solutions, policy solutions, and community involvement to protect coral reefs, stop illegal fishing, and safeguard marine ecosystems and biodiversity that are at risk from the growing impacts of climate change. Today’s commitment builds on Bloomberg’s efforts to fight c...

The Congo Government, with the support of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and other organizations, officially announces the creation of the country’s first three Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), protecting marine resources and coastal habitats across more than 4,000 square kilometers (1,544 square miles) and representing 12.01 percent of Congo’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Guatemala (MARN) and the Executive Secretary of the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) have announced the expansion of new MPAs in Guatemala during the United Nation’s Ocean Conference (UNOC) event “Location, location, location: scaling-up the impact of 30x30”. 

Gabon's network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provides a blueprint that could be used in many other countries, experts say.

Cuba has just declared Este del Archipiélago de Los Colorados (“East of Los Colorados Archipelago”), a new marine protected area. This new MPA covers about half of one of the four major archipelagos surrounding the country, and hosts exceptional marine life including Antillean manatees, American crocodiles, and critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtles.

Ratifying its global commitments, the Government of Colombia has recently declared Isla Ají a new marine protected area (MPA). Spanning 24,600 ha (95 square miles), this important and beautiful nature reserve will serve to protect threatened wildlife and safeguard the wellbeing of local coastal communities who depend on the area for food and their livelihoods. 

The Government of Bangladesh has declared a new marine protected area (MPA) spanning 1,743 square kilometers (672 square miles) around Saint Martin’s Island, a region which represents 1.5 percent of Bangladesh’s exclusive economic zone.

The National Assembly of Nicaragua has recently passed legislation declaring Corn Islands a new Marine Protected Area (MPA) under the category “Seascape and Landscape Protected Area.”