Celebrating local actions for global impact
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.
The date is approaching fast and we’re making preparations.
Don’t miss out!
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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.

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.
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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