Mission Blue’s Hope Spot Champions Propel Marine Protected Areas Day into a Worldwide Ocean Conservation Movement

August 27, 2024

Cover image © Two Oceans Aquarium

MPA Day, held annually on the 1st August, was created in 2021 to help celebrate the importance of MPAs for both people and nature. It was designed as a day to share stories and information about the importance of conserving the ocean. The campaign was initially organized by the Two Oceans Aquarium, co-Champions (along with Cape RADD) of the False Bay Hope Spot in South Africa, with ambitions to take the awareness campaign global. 

This year Mission Blue helped to make this wish a reality by taking the campaign truly global for the first time. With 15 Hope Spots spanning from the chilly shores of Northeast Iceland to the tropical waters of Nusa Penida in Indonesia getting involved. “We’re excited to celebrate MPA Day with our global network of Hope Spots. The incredible events held worldwide were inspiring, and we’re eager to continue promoting the vital importance of ocean protection,” said Shannon McIntyre Rake, Hope Spots Program Manager for Mission Blue.

“MPA Day 2024 was certainly the biggest celebration we have ever had and is now established as a global celebration,” said Dr Judy Mann, Founder of MPA Day, and the Executive of Strategic Projects at The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation.  “When I saw via social media the range of organisations involved, I was both amazed and humbled.”

Five of Mission Blue’s South African Hope Spots signed up to take part in the MPA Day celebrations.

False Bay

The False Bay Hope Spot is home to an incredible array of marine biodiversity ranging from whales and sharks to nudibranchs. The Two Oceans Aquarium and I AM Water hosted a rocky shore explore event, to help families get their feet wet and learn about the amazing creatures that call the rocky shore their home.

“We were thrilled to see the turnout of people for the rocky shore explore – families and even groups of students joined the activities and were fascinated by the marine life they discovered. One father enthused that he and his family had waited all year for MPA Day and that he loves exploring as much as his children do,” said Helen Lockhart, Conservation and Sustainability Manager for the Two Oceans Aquarium.

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

 

Cape Whale Coast

The Cape Whale Coast Hope Spot is home to  a unique blend of rich biodiversity, spectacular scenery and cultural heritage. Hope Spot Champions Pierre de Villiers (CapeNature) and Kim MacLean (Sharklady Adventures) set sail in the Hope Spot and took part in a virtual tour in which viewers were taken on a journey through a number of Hope Spots from South Africa to Sweden. 

Further along the coast the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and CapeNature hosted a rocky shore exploration and beach cleanup with groups from a number of local schools. 

“No effort is too small when it comes to conservation. Every action counts in protecting our marine ecosystems. Let’s continue to explore, protect, and educate for the love of our oceans!” Pinky Ngewu – Dyer Island Conservation Trust Manager

 

Plettenberg Bay

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.   

 

Aliwal Shoal

The Aliwal Shoal Hope Spot is home to an enormous variety of tropical marine species and members of the Ocean Festival and Wild Alliance Africa were able to observe just a small selection of them on an MPA Day dive in the Aliwal Shoal MPA.

A group of community members and researchers also took on the challenge of walking the entire 33km coastline of the MPA. Collecting valuable data on the condition of the MPA as they went. 

Aliwal Shoal Hope Spot Champion and Ocean Festival Founder, Russel Symcox said “MPA Day was well-supported by local communities. We were blessed with brilliant conditions; the ocean was alive with so much wildlife and the whole point was to travel the length of the MPA and learn as much as we could. It’s great to see MPA Day growing into an international event as there’s a need to protect and educate around the MPAs.”

 

Maputaland

In the Maputaland Hope Spot which spans both South Africa and Mozambique, local school groups from Sodwana Bay were treated to a beach cleanup, scavenger hunt and snorkel experience. Mission Blue’s Chief Scientist, Tessa Hempson was able to get involved in the festivities and shared,  “MPAs are essential for the resilience and health of the ocean. They provide critical refuges where marine life can thrive, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health. Investing in and expanding MPAs is essential for preserving the intricate balance of our marine environments and securing the long-term health of our planet.” 

 

Quirimbas Archipelago 

Up the coast in Mozambique students and community members attended a presentation and video showcase on the MPAs of the area. Hope Spot Champion, Gelica Inteca said  “By sharing knowledge and showcasing how protecting these areas can safeguard our livelihoods and well-being, we can also protect the beauty and biodiversity of our oceans.”

 

St Helena

St Helena is a remote volcanic outpost in the South Atlantic Ocean and the St Helena MPA attracts highly migratory and globally significant animals such as tuna, whale sharks and humpback whales. 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 with 56kg of trash collected.

 

Across the globe in Europe a number of Hope Spots also get involved in the MPA Day action!

Gotland 

The Gotland Hope Spot in Sweden is home to a fragile and unique environment that is home to a number of endangered species. The Hope Spot signed up to be involved in the MPA virtual tour and hosted an open day at Blue Center Gotland, which conducts research on the local marine ecosystem.

 

Alboran Sea

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

 

Great Fringing Reef of 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. 

 

Northeast Iceland

The Northeast Iceland Hope Spot is a vibrant world of geothermal vents, upwelling currents, nutrient-rich waters, and a place where biodiversity proliferates in a dynamic environment. Hope Spot Champions Ocean Missions hosted a Trash to Treasure workshop alongside a marine themed movie night.

 

Over in warmer waters a number of Hope Spot continued spreading the word about the importance of MPAs.

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.

 

Misool Marine Reserve

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

 

Nusa Penida MPA

The team from the Coral Triangle Centre launched a new Adopt-a-Mangrove program in the MPA. During the launch, 50 children learnt about the MPA and mangroves and were able to plant their own seedling.

 

Pangatalan Island

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. 

“From dives to clean-ups, lessons to walks, presentations to scientific research, webinars to virtual tours and games to swims – thousands of people had the opportunity this year to explore and enjoy and importantly learn about protecting the ocean. MPAs will work with community support, and by growing the MPA Day community we are building support for these incredible islands of hope in the ocean.” Dr Judy Mann, Founder of MPA Day, and the Executive of Strategic Projects at The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation.

Mission Blue is proud to have been part of the MPA Day campaign and through its global network of Hope Spots and passionate Champions will endeavor to continue raising awareness about the importance of MPAs for people and for nature.