My Ocean Place: Add your favourite ocean place to the map

  • Home
  • Get involved
  • News
  • Resources Hub
  • Regional hubs
    • South Africa
    • Europe
    • Mission Blue
    • Blue Parks Initiative
  • About
  • Contact
  • History
    • 2021
    • 2022
    • 2023
    • 2024
    • 2025
  • More
    • Home
    • Get involved
    • News
    • Resources Hub
    • Regional hubs
      • South Africa
      • Europe
      • Mission Blue
      • Blue Parks Initiative
    • About
    • Contact
    • History
      • 2021
      • 2022
      • 2023
      • 2024
      • 2025
  • Home
  • Get involved
  • News
  • Resources Hub
  • Regional hubs
    • South Africa
    • Europe
    • Mission Blue
    • Blue Parks Initiative
  • About
  • Contact
  • History
    • 2021
    • 2022
    • 2023
    • 2024
    • 2025
https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/videos/uEkgQpynMBC1JGRl0

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS DAY

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS DAYMARINE PROTECTED AREAS DAYMARINE PROTECTED AREAS DAY

Celebrating local actions for global impact

1 August

Get Involved for 2026

WHAT IS MPA DAY?

1 AUGUST

MPA Day, held every year on 1 August, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and their essential role in ocean conservation, sustainable development, and community well-being.


First launched in 2021 by South African organisations, MPA Day was created to spotlight a key gap in global environmental observances — none focused specifically on MPAs. The date marks the historic proclamation of 20 new or expanded MPAs in South Africa on 1 August 2019, a major milestone in marine protection.


Since then, MPA Day has become an international movement, endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade and embraced by people and organisations around the world. 

ABOUT MPA DAY

the countdown is on

The date is approaching fast and we’re making preparations. 

Don’t miss out!

00

DaysDays

00

HrsHours

00

MinsMinutes

00

SecsSeconds

Find events near you

Find resources

Host your own event

Host your own event

Ready to get involved? The Resources Hub has everything you need, from event planning guides and factsheets to logos, fonts, and species content. Download, share, and make some noise for the ocean.

resources hub

Host your own event

Host your own event

Host your own event

Every event counts, and every event gets pinned. Register yours and join communities around the world taking local action for MPAs on 1 August. Tools and templates included.


Register your event

Connect With Us

Contact Us

Drop us a line!

Attach Files
Attachments (0)

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Email us:

info@mpaday.org

STAY up to date

Sign up to receive updates and the latest news from MPA Day

MPA Day is endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development as a Decade Activity. Use of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development logo by a non-UN entity does not imply the endorsement of the United Nations of such entity, its products or services, or of its planned activities. For more information please access: https://forum.oceandecade.org/page/disclaimer 

The development of this website’s content was co-funded by the European Union through the PROTECT BALTIC project. The website is hosted and maintained by the Two Oceans Aquarium.

Copyright © 2026 MPA Day website - All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

DeclineAccept