Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day has reached a major milestone after receiving official endorsement from the United Nations Ocean Decade, placing the South African-born initiative on the UN’s global ocean agenda.
Celebrated annually on 1 August, MPA Day was launched in 2021 by South African organisations to raise awareness about the importance of Marine Protected Areas and the vital role they play in protecting marine ecosystems. The 2026 endorsement marks the initiative’s biggest achievement to date.
A South African idea with global impact
MPA Day was created to fill a gap in global environmental awareness campaigns, as there was no dedicated international day focused solely on Marine Protected Areas.
The date commemorates South Africa’s historic proclamation of 20 new or expanded Marine Protected Areas on 1 August 2019, one of the country’s most significant milestones in marine conservation.
“When we launched MPA Day six years ago, our goal was simply to help more people understand why Marine Protected Areas matter,” said Dr Judy Mann-Lang, Founder of MPA Day.
“We knew that if people could connect with the ocean and with each other, they would more fully appreciate the value of the ocean and how together we can actively care for it. To now have that vision recognised through a United Nations endorsement is an incredible honour. It validates the importance of the collective work being done to protect our ocean and highlights the critical role MPAs play in securing a healthy future for our planet.”
What is MPA Day?
Held every year on 1 August, MPA Day is a global awareness campaign that encourages local action to protect the ocean.
The 2026 theme is:
“Celebrating local actions for global impact.”
Unlike World Oceans Day, MPA Day focuses specifically on helping people understand:
- What Marine Protected Areas are.
- Why they are important for biodiversity.
- How they support sustainable fisheries.
- Their role in climate resilience.
- How communities help protect them.
The new United Nations Ocean Decade endorsement formally recognises MPA Day as an initiative that helps turn ocean science into practical action.
Why Marine Protected Areas matter
Marine Protected Areas are designated sections of the ocean where activities are carefully managed to conserve marine life and habitats.
Properly managed MPAs help to:
- Rebuild fish populations by protecting breeding grounds.
- Safeguard biodiversity.
- Protect important blue carbon ecosystems such as kelp forests, mangroves and seagrass.
- Strengthen resilience against climate change, marine heatwaves and coral bleaching.
South Africa’s growing role in marine conservation
The UN endorsement is particularly significant because MPA Day was born in South Africa.
Today, South Africa has 41 Marine Protected Areas covering approximately 5.4% of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The campaign is now hosted and maintained by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation through the EU co-funded PROTECT BALTIC project, helping expand its reach internationally.
Ocean protection remains a global priority
The endorsement comes as global concern over ocean health continues to grow.
The Third World Ocean Assessment, released on World Oceans Day 2026, warned that climate change, overfishing and pollution are placing increasing pressure on marine ecosystems worldwide.
Marine Protected Areas remain one of the most effective conservation tools available, helping restore ecosystems while supporting sustainable fisheries and long-term ocean health.
With United Nations backing, MPA Day enters a new chapter, taking a South African conservation success story onto the global stage while encouraging communities everywhere to protect the oceans that sustain life.
MPA Day takes place on 1 August 2026.
For more information and to get involved, visit https://mpaday.org/.
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