From Local Action to Global Impact: MPA Day 2026

On 1 August, ocean communities around the world came together for Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day 2026, celebrating the places where ocean protection is already making a difference and building momentum for much more.

Across the Mission Blue Hope Spot network, Hope Spot Champions, conservation organisations, scientists, educators, students, divers, community members, and ocean advocates marked the occasion, with 22 Mission Blue Hope Spots participating around the world. From Australia and Indonesia to Iceland, Ireland, Cambodia, Mozambique, South Africa, Colombia, the Philippines, and beyond, 128 participating organisations turned MPA Day into an opportunity to get people into the water, into the field, and directly involved in ocean conservation.

Dive into the Esri StoryMap to see where in the world all the events took place!