Strengthening Ocean Conservation in Southern Africa: Mission Blue Unites Hope Spot Champions in South Africa and Mozambique

March 17, 2026

 

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA & MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE — Mission Blue recently concluded a series of workshops and partnership meetings in South Africa and Mozambique, bringing together Hope Spot Champions, conservation organisations, scientists, and government partners to strengthen collaboration and accelerate ocean protection across this globally significant region.

Stretching along the southwestern Indian Ocean, the marine ecosystems of South Africa and Mozambique support extraordinary biodiversity, vital migratory routes for marine species, and coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on a healthy ocean. These gatherings created space for leaders working on the frontlines of conservation to share lessons learned, align strategies, and build stronger partnerships for the protection of these critical marine areas.

Hope Spots: Critical Places for the Ocean

Mission Blue’s Hope Spots are special places around the world that have been scientifically identified as critical to the health of the ocean. Today, there are 168 Hope Spots globally, each championed by local conservation leaders working to protect and restore these important ecosystems.

Mission Blue supports Champions through communications, community engagement, expeditions, and scientific and policy advisory, helping elevate local conservation initiatives and connect them to a global network working toward a healthier ocean.

Along the South African coastline, there are seven Hope Spots. Six of these: False Bay, Cape Whale Coast, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Algoa Bay, and Aliwal Shoal became part of the global Hope Spot network in 2014. In 2024, Maputaland joined the network as a transboundary Hope Spot, spanning the border between South Africa and Mozambique. This recognition reflects the ecological connectivity of the region’s marine ecosystems and underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration to protect species and habitats that move freely across national boundaries. Mozambique’s Hope Spots: Maputaland, Jangamo Bay, Inhambane Seascape, and the Quirimbas Archipelago, are among the most biologically rich marine ecosystems in the western Indian Ocean.

Connecting Hope Spot Champions in South Africa

The Mission Blue convenings began in South Africa, where Hope Spot Champions gathered for an in-person workshop focused on strengthening collaboration, sharing lessons learned, and identifying solutions to emerging conservation challenges.

Situated at the convergence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, South Africa’s Hope Spots encompass an extraordinary diversity of ecosystems—from estuaries and sheltered bays to rocky reefs and expansive kelp forests. These habitats support thousands of species, many of which are endemic or protected, and safeguard vital migratory routes for marine life ranging from large marine mammals to smaller but ecologically essential species.

Champions participating in the workshop included Cape RADD, Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, CapeNature, ORCA Foundation, Wild Alliance Africa, Nature’s Valley Tsitsikama, Thonga Trails, and the Knysna Estuary Research Foundation.

The gathering provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on progress made over the past year, strengthen partnerships, and explore ways to increase the visibility and protection of their Hope Spots.

“Many marine species migrate across our regional Hope Spots, making it critically important to foster connections across these areas. Champion workshops offer a space for collaboration, learning, and collective momentum. They empower local leaders to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and align on tangible actions—bringing communities and ocean champions together to drive lasting impact for ocean conservation.”— Shannon McIntyre-Rake, Mission Blue’s Hope Spots Program Manager.

Workshops like these also help build the relationships that underpin successful conservation. Through collaborative exercises, open discussions, and informal moments of connection, Champions were able to exchange ideas and reinforce the shared purpose that unites their work.

“All Champions are doing very inspirational work, and I’m very glad we all connected. The workshop was great—well done.” — Alejandra Vargas, Nature’s Valley Tsitsikama, Plettenberg Bay Hope Spot Champion.

“Getting to know the other South African Hope Spot Champions was invaluable. It allows us to combine expertise, share ideas, and support each other’s efforts. Spending time with the Mission Blue team and learning how to align our activities with Mission Blue’s objectives was especially valuable.” — Claire Taylor, Wild Alliance Africa, Aliwal Shoal Hope Spot Champion.

Advancing Collaboration in Mozambique

Following the South Africa workshop, Mission Blue staff travelled to Mozambique, where Champions from the country’s four Hope Spots gathered for another workshop focused on strengthening regional collaboration and accelerating conservation progress.

Mozambique’s waters support five species of sea turtles, migrating humpback whales, dugongs, manta rays, numerous shark species, and a remarkable array of marine life. Despite their ecological importance, many of these areas face growing pressures from overfishing, including targeted shark fishing, as well as illegal sand mining and oil and gas exploration. Across the region, Hope Spot Champions and local partners are working to address these threats through community education, improved marine management, and the promotion of ecotourism as a sustainable economic pathway.

The Mozambique workshop brought together Champions from Marine Megafauna Foundation, Love The Oceans, Malamba Coastal Collaborative, Fundação Likhulu, Associação NATURA Moçambique, and Lúrio University. Together, these organisations are advancing research, community engagement, and conservation initiatives across Mozambique’s coastline. The workshop created space for Champions to exchange knowledge, reflect on progress, and coordinate strategies to address shared conservation challenges.

By bringing Champions together in person, Mission Blue helped strengthen connections across this growing network of conservation leaders and reinforce collaboration between organisations working toward shared goals.

“We discussed working together as a group of Champions and applying for funds that will allow each Hope Spot to implement conservation activities. It was also valuable to understand Mission Blue’s mission and the idea of Champions working together to achieve a common goal at a broader country scale.” — Gelica Inteca, Fundação Quirimbas, Quirimbas Archipelago Hope Spot Champion.

“This connection can bring more collaborative and effective methods in our work. With collaboration, the Hope Spots can help each other and reach the goals of their projects.” — Pascoal Bernardo Nhamussua, Love The Oceans, Jangamo Bay Hope Spot Champion.

Engaging Conservation Partners and Government Leaders

In addition to the Champion workshops, Mission Blue hosted a reception in Mozambique that brought together a diverse network of organisations working in marine conservation. Representatives from African Parks, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Rare, Maputo Dive Center, and Still Standing, among others, joined the gathering.

The event created an opportunity for partners to share updates on their work, identify synergies, and explore ways to ensure that conservation initiatives across Mozambique complement one another and maximise collective impact.

Mission Blue also held productive meetings with key government partners, including the Instituto de Investigação Marinha e Pesqueira (Marine and Fisheries Research Institute) and the Administração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação (ANAC).

These discussions provided an opportunity to share updates on the work Mission Blue is supporting across Mozambique’s Hope Spots, introduce the local Champions leading conservation efforts on the ground, and strengthen collaboration with national institutions responsible for research, fisheries, and conservation management.

Mission Blue reaffirmed its commitment to supporting locally led marine protected areas and community-driven conservation efforts, while encouraging continued leadership from national partners in advancing marine conservation.

Building Momentum for the Ocean

Together, these workshops and meetings reinforced a growing network of conservation leaders working to protect some of the most biodiverse waters on Earth. 

Mission Blue is deeply grateful to the Plum Foundation for their generous support of these convenings, which made it possible to bring Hope Spot Champions and partners together to strengthen collaboration and accelerate ocean conservation across the region.

By connecting Hope Spot Champions, conservation organisations, scientists, and government agencies, Mission Blue continues to act as a convener, connector, and catalyst, strengthening collaboration and supporting locally led conservation across southern Africa.

Protecting the ocean requires collective action—and across South Africa and Mozambique, that momentum is growing.

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About Mission Blue

Founded by legendary oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue mobilises science, leadership, and public will to secure strong, lasting protection for the ocean. Through its global network of Hope Spots, Mission Blue works with scientists, Champions, and partners to advance marine protected areas where protection can deliver the greatest impact—supporting the goal of protecting at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.

Contact: Emily Davenport, Director of Communications;