MPA DAY 2024

A truly global celebration

MPA Day 2024 became the largest celebration to date and was, for the first time, formally hosted in Europe.

Communities across continents came together to recognise the importance of MPAs in safeguarding biodiversity, restoring ocean health, and connecting people to the sea.

“Across the planet, people created infographics and videos, hosted events, and brought people of all ages together to learn about and love the ocean,” said Dr Judy Mann-Lang.

With international outreach expanding thank to the support of leading partners Mission Blue, HELCOM and the PROTECT BALTIC project, the day featured a diverse mix of both in-person and virtual events — from beach clean-ups and marine education to scientific webinars and creative campaigns. 15 Mission Blue Hope Spots signed up to take part in the MPA Day celebrations.

These efforts highlighted the power of international collaboration and the growing momentum to expand and strengthen MPAs worldwide.

With participation from countries including South Africa, the Philippines, Egypt, Indonesia, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Mauritius, and many more, MPA Day 2024 showcased a unified, global commitment to protecting the ocean for future generations.

2024 Theme: Celebrating MPAs – for People and for Nature

This year, MPA Day inspired a global wave of coastal celebration, connecting ocean lovers from South Africa to the far reaches of the planet through immersive in-person and virtual experiences, including:

Virtual Tour – From South Africa to Sweden: ShareScreen Africa took participants on a virtual journey across MPAs, showcasing unique ecosystems and conservation efforts.
Webinar – Why Communities are Key: The Sea Change Project led a dynamic discussion on the essential role communities play in sustaining MPAs.
Webinar – Making MPAs Work: LCA Africa wrapped up the day with a powerful online session exploring how to improve MPA implementation and outcomes.
HELCOM and PROTECT BALTIC MPA Guide Webinar: Experts launched the virtual programme with insights into how the MPA Guide supports stronger, more effective marine protection.
Seminar – Incentive is Key: Hosted by Nelson Mandela University’s Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, this session explored incentives as drivers of more equitable MPA governance.
Aliwal Shoal MPA & Hope Spot Explore Walk: Researchers, rangers, and community members walked the length of Aliwal Shoal, gathering scientific data and removing plastic pollution.
Rocky Shore Explore at Dalebrook and Gansbaai: Hosted by the Two Oceans Aquarium and I Am Water, and Dyer Island Conservation Trust, families and students explored tidal treasures while learning how MPAs protect intertidal biodiversity.
Sodwana Bay School Day: Adventure Mania led local learners through beach clean-ups, snorkelling, and MPA-themed presentations that brought conservation to life.
uThukela MPA Mangrove Walk: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife guided students through the mangroves, showcasing this vital coastal ecosystem.
Nature Hike with Plett Shark Spotters: In collaboration with ORCA Foundation and Nature’s Valley Trust, this hike highlighted the links between marine and terrestrial ecosystems within and around MPAs.
Mission Blue Hope Spots and Global Online Events: With support from Mission Blue, dozens of countries hosted their own MPA Day activities. From Sweden to the Maldives, communities joined webinars, cleanups, no-plastic campaigns, dive expeditions, and social storytelling in celebration of ocean protection.
Twitter Chat: A dynamic live conversation brought together MPA experts, influencers, and ocean lovers to exchange ideas and spark new collaborations.

Thousands came together for MPA Day on 1 August, turning passion into purpose through more than 30 local and international events. From coastlines to classrooms, MPAs were explored, honoured, and protected.

webinars: Community is key and how to make mpas work

Explore the role of MPAs in conserving biodiversity and supporting coastal communities in this thought-provoking webinar, moderated by Swati Thiyagarajan of the Sea Change Project. Panelists discuss the vision behind the Great African Seaforest “Habitat of Hope” illustration, the balance between conservation and community rights, and how education, policy, and science can work together to protect both people and nature.

MPAs are designated areas of the ocean where human activity is regulated and managed to protect marine ecosystems, wildlife, and resources. They serve as vital tools for conserving biodiversity, supporting sustainable fisheries management, and safeguarding habitats crucial for the health of our oceans. This webinar explores the impact of MPA's on fish populations and the coastal communities depending on the ocean - presented by Dr Bruce Mann, Dr Kendyl Wright & Kholofelo Ramokone

SEMINAR: incentive diversity builds governance resilience

Nelson Mandela University's Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR) hosted a seminar with Prof. Peter Jones sharing findings from a study of 50 marine protected areas (MPAs), highlighting that diverse, integrated governance incentives are key to effective and equitable MPA management.

The research showed a strong link between MPA success and the use of multiple incentive types—economic, legal, participatory, communicative, and knowledge-based. Rather than relying on a single approach, effective governance depends on context-specific combinations that reinforce one another.

Prof. Jones likened this to biodiversity in ecosystems, stressing that incentive diversity builds governance resilience.

The session on MPA Day provided valuable insights for advancing the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean.

(Photo credit: Nelson Mandela University)

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Aliwal Shoal MPA & Hope Spot Explore Walk:

On the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, Ocean Festival hosted an Aliwal Shoal MPA & Hope Spot explore walk in partnership with the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI), SAAMBR, and Wild Alliance Africa.

Supported by local communities and conservation groups, the event featured ideal conditions for marine research and data collection. The Durban Metro Coastal Patrol Unit, South African Police Service (SAPS) Search and Rescue Unit, and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) also participated.

Participants also collected significant plastic waste, highlighting the ongoing need for clean-ups and public engagement.

(Photo credit: Wild Alliance Africa)

Rocky Shore Explores at Dalebrook and Gansbaai

At the False Bay Hopespot, the Two Oceans Aquarium, together with I Am Water, hosted a rocky shore explore at Dalebrook and coordinated a beach cleanup and surf-out with Surf Emporium at Muizenberg.

Dyer Island Conservation Trust invited their Tourism and Conservation Partners and local schools to explore the captivating Rocky Shores of Danger Point, Gansbaai. This was followed by a beach clean up.

(Photo credit: Two Oceans Aquarium)

Rocky Shore Explore 2024

CAPE RADD - free snorkelling

False Bay Hope Spot co-Champions Cape RADD offered free snorkelling trips during the celebrations, enabling members of the public to explore the wonders of the beautiful kelp forests in the area.

(Photo credit: Cape RADD)

uThukela MPA Mangrove Walk

At uThukela MPA, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife hosted a walk through the mangroves for learners, while in the Eastern Cape close to the Addo Elephant MPA participants explored the local rocky shores.

(Photo credit: Sheila Lang)

Nature Hike with Plett Shark Spotters

Plett Shark Spotters hosted a guided hike around the spectacular Robberg Nature Reserve MPA, with attendees learning about the rich fauna and flora of the area.

(Photo credit: Mark Brown/Discover Eden)

Celebrating MPAs at Ar Research Station in Gotland, Sweden

Hosted by the Blue Centre Gotland (BCG), HopeSpot Gotland and the Ar Research Station at Uppsala University, this event engaged participants in discussions about marine biodiversity, as well as the future national park Bästeträsk.

(Photo credit: Blue Center Gotland)

Quirimbas Archipelago

At the Quirimbas Archipelago Hope Spot in Mozambique, students and community members attended a presentation and video showcase on the MPAs of the area.

(Photo credit: Gelica Inteca)

Above and below water clean up in St Helena

To celebrate MPA Day, the St Helena National Trust teamed up with a number of other partners to host an above and below water cleanup of the harbour. Around 56kg of trash was collected.

(Photo credit: Neil Thorp)

Community snorkel in the Alboran Sea

Hope Spot Champions of the Alboran Sea hosted an educational community snorkel and presentation on the marine biodiversity found in the area.

(Photo credit: Gemma Infante)

Clean up and dolphin snorkel in Egypt

Hope Spot Champions HEPCA and a number of local partners teamed up to host a number of activities including a beach and underwater cleanup and dolphin snorkel in the Red Sea.

(Photo credit: University of Bristol)

Trash to treasure workshop and marine movie night in Iceland

Hope Spot Champions Ocean Missions hosted a Trash to Treasure workshop alongside a marine themed movie night in northeast Iceland.

(Photo credit: Charla Basran)

MPA Dive at Laamu Atoll in the Maldives

The Laamu Atoll Hope Spot Champions hosted an MPA dive as well as joining the local island Hithadhoo council for a cleanup of a mangrove section in the MPA.

(Photo credit: Lawrence Menz)

Above and below water clean up in Misool Marine Reserve

In Indonesia, Hope Spot Champions Misool Foundation joined forces with the village of Yellu to carry out an above and below water cleanup, collecting 104kg of trash.

(Photo credit: Misool Foundation/Ayub)

Adopt-a-Mangrove in Nusa Penida MPA

The team from the Coral Triangle Centre launched a new Adopt-a-Mangrove programme in the Nusa Penida MPA in Indonesia.

50 children learnt about the MPA and mangroves, and were able to plant their own seedling.

(Photo credit: Adam Putra/Coral Triangle Centre)

MPA Dive in the Philippines

The Sulubaaï Environmental Foundation thanked the MPA Rangers (bantay dagats) for their continued commitment to protecting and preserving the MPAs of Shark FIn Bay by taking them on an MPA Dive.

(Photo credit: Sulubaaï Environmental Foundation)