Tonga Trench and Whale Nursery Recognized as a Hope Spot® for Whales, Culture, and Ocean Stewardship

[TONGA] — The Kingdom of Tonga has taken another significant step in its long legacy of ocean stewardship with the designation of the Tonga Trench and Whale Nursery as a Mission Blue Hope Spot.

Spanning coastal and offshore waters across Ha’apai, Vava’u, and ‘Eua, this Hope Spot encompasses one of the most extraordinary marine regions on Earth. It includes a substantial portion of the Tonga Trench—the second deepest ocean trench in the world—as well as some of the South Pacific’s most important humpback whale breeding and nursery habitat.

A Sanctuary for the Next Generation

Each year, humpback whales travel thousands of miles from Antarctica to Tonga’s sheltered blue waters. In the calm bays and passages of Ha’apai and Vava’u, they mate, give birth, and nurture the next generation. These waters are also home to sperm whales, pilot whales, false killer whales, rough-toothed dolphins, spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and many other marine species.

Beneath the surface lies an equally remarkable world. The Tonga Trench reaches depths of more than 10,800 meters and serves as a migratory pathway for whales, sharks, tuna, and other ocean wanderers. Seamounts, hydrothermal vents, deepwater canyons, and volcanic islands support rich biodiversity, while nutrient-rich waters rising from the depths help fuel life throughout the ecosystem.

“The whales’ annual journey is a reminder that the ocean is alive, connected, and resilient when given the chance to thrive,” said Dr. Sylvia Earle, Founder of Mission Blue. “This Hope Spot celebrates a place where nature and people are bound together by the sea. Tonga’s leadership shows what is possible when we recognize that protecting the ocean is an investment in the future of all life.” 

The designation recognizes both the ecological significance of the region and Tonga’s longstanding leadership in ocean conservation. 

© Tonga Voyaging Society | Humpback whale

A Legacy of Whale Protection

More than four decades ago, Tonga became a global leader in whale conservation. In 1978, King Taufaʻahau Tupou IV permanently banned the hunting and killing of whales in all Tongan waters, eight years before the global moratorium on commercial whaling. 

At a time when whale populations had been pushed to the edge, the decision helped transform Tonga’s relationship with whales from one of exploitation to one of stewardship. Today, whales have become a source of national pride and a foundation for conservation-minded tourism that supports local livelihoods.

The designation also reflects the vision of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala, whose leadership helped champion the nomination and advance Tonga’s growing commitment to ocean conservation. Together with local organizations, government agencies, scientists, and community leaders, the Hope Spot recognizes a shared effort to safeguard Tonga’s ocean heritage for future generations.

Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua welcomed the designation, noting that Tonga’s leadership in ocean stewardship continues to guide the nation’s future.

“The Mission Blue Hope Spot designation is a valuable mechanism to support policy coherence, mobilise resources, and inspire pride and stewardship across generations.”

The Hope Spot arrives at a pivotal moment for Tonga. The Tonga Ocean Management Act, which received Royal Assent in December 2025, supports the nation’s goal of sustainably managing 100 percent of its ocean and protecting at least 30 percent by 2030. The Hope Spot will help strengthen awareness, partnerships, and support for these efforts.

© Vava’u Environmental Protection Association | A view of one of the island’s bays

© Vava’u Environmental Protection Association | A giant clam beneath the water

Communities Leading the Way

Local organizations have been instrumental in building the foundation for this work. The Vava’u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) and the Tonga Voyaging Society have spent years supporting community stewardship, environmental education, traditional voyaging practices, and marine conservation throughout the islands. Their efforts reflect a uniquely Tongan approach in which science, traditional knowledge, and community leadership work together to care for the ocean.

Karen Stone, Director of the Vava’u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) says “the Tonga Trench and Whale Nursery Hope Spot is a critical step in ocean conservation for Tonga. The Hope Spot will align science, traditional knowledge, and community management to protect these vital nursery areas and ensure healthy, vibrant oceans.”

For Captain ‘Aunofo Havea Funaki, President of the Tonga Voyaging Society and the first licensed female captain in Polynesia, the Hope Spot is also about carrying forward the traditions that have connected Tongans to the sea for generations.

“In the wake of our ancestors lies the sacred trust of the Moana: to navigate not by the stars alone, but by the wisdom that the Ocean is not ours to conquer, but to cherish, protect, and pass on to those who follow. The Hope Spot sails us forward as guardians and stewards of our ocean’s future.” 

© Vava’u Environmental Protection Association | Intertidal surveys

© Vava’u Environmental Protection Association | Community members working together for a cleaner ocean

© Tonga Voyaging Society

A Hope Spot for the Future

Prince Hussain Aga Khan, founder of Focused on Nature and a Mission Blue Board Member, has documented Tonga’s whales for more than a decade and believes the Hope Spot will help shine a global spotlight on one of the Pacific’s most important marine regions.

“The Whale Nursery serves as a crucial sanctuary where mothers can safely raise their calves, contributing to the recovery and stability of global whale populations.”

As communities across Tonga prepare to welcome the annual arrival of humpback whales this July, the new Hope Spot offers an opportunity to celebrate both a remarkable conservation success story and a shared vision for the future—one where science, culture, sustainable tourism, and community leadership come together to protect the ocean.

Because the future of whales, and the future of the ocean itself, depends on places like Tonga—and on all of us working together to protect them.

© Vava’u Environmental Protection Association

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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.