The Philippines' community-led marine protected area network is recognized for exceptional biodiversity conservation, becoming a global model for effective ocean protection and local empowerment.
The Shark Fin Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network in the Philippines has been honored with the esteemed gold-level Blue Park Award for its outstanding contributions to marine biodiversity conservation. The accolade was presented yesterday, June 12, at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference, where Marine Conservation Institute announced the 2025 recipients. With this recognition, Shark Fin Bay MPA Network joins an elite global network of 34 awarded Blue Parks that meet the highest science-based standards for conservation effectiveness.
Dr. Lance Morgan, President of Marine Conservation Institute, formally announced the 2025 Blue Parks during an event co-hosted by Marine Conservation Institute, the Republic of Costa Rica, the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, MigraMar, EarthEcho International, and The Blue Quest.
"The Blue Park Award aligns perfectly with our mission, and we’re more committed than ever to taking bold action for the ocean’s future," stated Fred Tardieu, President and Founder of the Sulubaai Environmental Foundation, which co-manages the Shark Fin Bay MPA Network alongside local communities. He added, "With our Blue Park Award and our community, we want to be the first NGO to reach the 30x30 target in our bay in the Philippines."
A Model of Community-Led Conservation
Located in the northeast of Palawan Province, the Shark Fin Bay MPA Network encompasses five community-led MPAs. These areas meticulously protect vital tropical coral reefs, expansive seagrass meadows, and crucial mangrove ecosystems within the semi-enclosed, shallow Shark Fin Bay. The network serves as a critical refuge for a diverse array of threatened and endangered species, including various reef fish, sea turtles, and reef sharks.
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The success of the Shark Fin Bay MPA Network stands as a testament to community leadership. The Sulubaai Environmental Foundation established the first MPA, Pangatalan Island MPA, in 2017. Witnessing the remarkable revitalization of the island and its surrounding waters, local coastal and island barangays (villages) championed the creation of an entire MPA network. This expansion was achieved through a collaborative partnership with the Sulubaai Environmental Foundation via the Sea Academy Project.
The Shark Fin Bay MPA Network Management Council exemplifies this collaborative spirit, including representatives from each barangay, alongside stakeholders from local community governments, fisherfolk associations, and schoolteachers. Beyond its core mission of ecological conservation, restoration, and monitoring, the management authority also prioritizes the well-being of the local community, having developed various alternative livelihood projects and comprehensive community outreach activities. The Sulubaai Environmental Foundation and local communities are actively continuing their joint efforts to expand the network in the coming years.
Global Impact and the 30x30 Target
"Congratulations to the 2025 Blue Parks,”remarked Dr. Lance Morgan.“To achieve the 30x30 target, we not only need more protected areas, but we need those areas to effectively protect wildlife and deliver the conservation benefits that will support coastal communities. Blue Parks are incredible models of success, and the teams of ocean champions behind these efforts inspire us all.”
The Shark Fin Bay MPA Network is the fourth Blue Park in the Philippines, joining a distinguished list that includes Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (awarded in 2017), Apo Reef Natural Park (2022), and Siete Pecados Marine Park (2024).
The Blue Parks initiative, presented annually since its launch in 2017, now spans 23 countries and collectively covers over 3.5 million square kilometers of ocean. Marine Conservation Institute's rigorous science-based criteria, coupled with an international panel of esteemed marine scientists, are fundamental to vetting and ensuring that these MPAs serve as exemplary models of the most effective marine life conservation. The initiative consistently underscores that the quality of protection, rather than quantity alone, is paramount for the global 30x30 target to successfully achieve biodiversity conservation and restore ocean health.
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