What began as a South African movement in 2021 became global in 2024, and MPA Day was now officially celebrated on August 1st in 12 countries. In 2025, organizers of the MPA Day Event want to make this the biggest celebration of these “sea nature reserves.” This year's activities are about making connections, connecting people to the ocean and bringing a sense of protection to even more people around the world.
MPA Day encourages you to appreciate the value and benefits of MPA (marriage reserves) through shared stories, talks, competition and marine-based activities. The benefits of these valuable areas include breeding and preserving nursery, and ensuring sustainability of fisheries, climate resilience, job creation and tourism, critical research, and opportunities for people to explore the underwater world through snorkeling and diving, as well as other water-based activities.
MPA Day is also in line with 30×30 global migration (the largest conservation commitment ever) that 190 countries are committed to achieving effective protection and management of 30% of the world's land, freshwater and oceans by 2030. Critically, MPA Day addresses the urgent need to connect people to the ocean. This is an important first step in marine care.
“When we first launched MPA Day five years ago, we didn't expect the international response we received and we're excited to build on the momentum this year,” commented Dr. Judy Mann, founder of MPA Day, and the executive of the two Marine Aquarium Foundation Strategic Projects.
“To accommodate many activities, we currently have an international group that leads partners in the Baltic Sea and Mission Blue. We coordinate global events with local partners working on events in South Africa. These have United's goal of helping people take care of these important sea spaces. We work together.”
Helen Lockhart, conservation and sustainability manager for Two Oceans Aquarium, said he was excited to see the enthusiasm of the Western Cape organization taking part in this year's celebration of MPA Day on August 1st.
“The organizations from the Cape Town area, Kynisena and Plettenberg Bay have stepped forward enthusiastically to join the planning team, so this year we really promise to offer a wide range of activities that highlight the importance and benefits of the MPA. We've focused on Lockhart.
Impact of MPA Day in 2024
・5 online activities
12 countries with organized activities
・22 Mission Blue Hope Spot
・Over 40 face-to-face activities
・53 nationalities participated in the MPA guide webinar
・Over 350 online participants
・Over 1,000 face-to-face participants
・Over 5,000 MPAs occur worldwide
・More than 10 million people have reached social media platforms
Did you know?
1. South Africa was the first country in the world to celebrate MPA Day.
2. In South Africa, 42 MPA protects 5% of the country's oceans. This is up from just 0.43% before 2016.
3. Globally, over 5,000 MPA covers more than 8% of the ocean (as of 2023).
4. The world's largest MPA is the Loss Sea region of Antarctica (1 931 766 sq km).
MPA Day Activities
Visit MPA Day for updated events and activities and take part in all MPA Day 2025 actions. Join us for discussion about MPA on Instagram @MarineProtectedAreassa.
Facebook @mpasouthafrica or LinkedIn 1 MPA Date: Overview | LinkedIn. Watch MPA day videos on YouTube.
For more information about many MPA day partners, please visit our website.
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