AUSTRALIA
Ocean Lovers Festival backed MPA Day and the Sydney Coast Hope Spot by sharing our content across their channels—amplifying key messages with ocean-positive stories, our eye-catching visuals, and a call to action for their community.
Their outreach highlighted the ecological value of Sydney’s coast and helped drive awareness through vibrant community engagement.
Here's a highlight video from earlier in the year when their festival was held, further reinforcing the themes of marine protection and coastal stewardship.
(Video by Ocean Loves Festival)
FRENCH POLYNESIA
To mark MPA Day, Te mana o te moana, representing the Tetiaroa Atoll Hope Spot, hosted a vibrant youth-focused event at its headquarters in Tahiti. The celebration centered around raising awareness for marine protection and highlighting the role of young ocean stewards in French Polynesia.
The spotlight was on the Marine Educational Area (AME) of Pamatai School, a locally managed coastal zone near the Intercontinental Tahiti Resort & Spa. Through interactive activities, students learned about marine biodiversity and took part in practical demonstrations of how AMEs empower youth to actively manage and protect their marine environments.
Supported by field experts, the event offered a hands-on introduction to the eco-citizen approach—a model rooted in education, science, and community partnerships. It emphasized how local engagement and youth leadership are central to sustainable marine conservation.
To extend the event’s impact, a short documentary video featuring interviews with students and educators was released across social media platforms. The film shines a light on the growing movement of AMEs across French Polynesia, showcasing how education and empowerment can drive real change in marine protection.
(Photo by Emma Cunault)
MALDIVES
The Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI) by Six Senses Laamu hosted a special guided kayak adventure through the protected mangrove forests of the Laamu Atoll Hope Spot.
Guests paddled through tranquil waters surrounded by lush mangroves—vital ecosystems that serve as nurseries for baby sharks, store carbon to help combat climate change, and protect our coastlines from erosion. Led by knowledgeable local guides, the experience offered a rare opportunity to witness the importance of marine protection firsthand.
The event not only highlighted the ecological value of these unique habitats but also deepened participants’ connection to the ocean and our ongoing efforts to preserve it. Experiences like these are a powerful reminder that conservation begins with awareness—and continues with action.
(Photo by Joe Fayle)
PAKISTAN
IUCN Pakistan hosted a national webinar to spotlight how MPAs support marine biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
Experts shared insights on MPA governance, success stories from Balochistan and Sindh, and the crucial role of communities and youth.
The event called for stronger collaboration to advance conservation goals across Pakistan and beyond.
(Video by IUCN Pakistan)
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
In Kimbe Bay, newly named a Mission Blue Hope Spot, Mahonia Na Dari brought together students, scientists, NGOs, and locals for a week of ocean action.
Highlights included a crown-of-thorns removal dive with students and the Sea Women of Melanesia, hands-on marine education with West New Britain students, a community beach and snorkel cleanup, and a lively presentation night celebrating local conservation stories and global research connections.
(Photo by Jamil Wilson)
PHILIPPINES
At Gregorio Oquendo Memorial School, children gathered for a special storytelling session led by the Tubbataha Reefs Nature Park.
The story of Clowny the Clownfish introduced young minds to the wonders of the Tubbataha Reefs and the challenges facing this protected marine habitat.
PITCAIRN ISLANDS
The first edition of Voices for MPAs launched online with a powerful reflection from Torika Christian, offering a rare glimpse into life in the remote Pitcairn Islands Marine Protected Area.
Sharing personal stories and deep connections to the sea, Torika highlighted how the Pitcairn MPA is more than a conservation zone—it's a way of life. The event invited viewers to see marine protection through the eyes of those who call these wild waters home.
Pitkern Islen Enterprises celebrated the importance of this marine sanctuary, posting this video featuring vivid imagery and storytelling to showcase the region's rich marine biodiversity and the role of conservation efforts in protecting its pristine underwater ecosystems.
The video emphasizes how residents of Pitcairn engage with their marine environment—not merely as spectators, but as active guardians of their surrounding waters.