A new global initiative titled ‘Revive Our Ocean’ was launched to support community-led marine protected areas (MPAs) and scale up conservation of ocean ecosystems through local action. Led by Dynamic Planet and National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas programme, the initiative aims to empower coastal communities by removing policy and resource barriers and promoting sustainable marine practices.
It also aligns with global biodiversity goals such as the 30×30 target under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the 2023 High Seas Treaty, which India has signed.
Key Highlights of Initiative
Objective: To help communities protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 by expanding community-led MPAs and ending destructive fishing.
Launch Partners:
- Dynamic Planet
- National Geographic’s Pristine Seas
Initial Focus Countries:
- UK, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico
Key Features:
Revive Our Ocean Collective: A global network of local leaders and groups already practicing effective community-led marine protection.
Microfinance Program: To offer loans and grants for launching or scaling protected areas.
Awareness & Capacity Building: Focus on spreading knowledge, policy reform advocacy, and technical support to communities.
Economic Benefits Highlighted:
- Example: Medes Island (Spain) – A €2 million/year marine reserve yields €16 million annually from diving tourism.
- Reframes MPAs as self-sustaining investments through tourism and sustainable fishing.
Key Barriers Identified:
- Lack of awareness about MPA benefits.
- Restrictive national policies preventing local creation of MPAs.
- Lack of technical tools and funding support for implementation.
About Marine Protected Areas (MPAs):
- Definition: Sections of oceans designated for long-term marine conservation.
- Governance: May be managed by national governments, local authorities, NGOs, or through community co-management.
- Global Status:
- 16,000+ MPAs established globally.
- Only 8% of oceans covered by MPAs; just 3% fully protected.
- Many allow damaging practices like bottom trawling.
Notable Community-Led MPA Success Stories:
- Medes Island, Spain: €16 million revenue from a 1 km² no-fishing zone.
- Isle of Arran, Scotland: Marine biodiversity doubled after MPA creation.
- RARE’s Fish Forever (Philippines): 2,000+ communities created no-fishing zones; fish doubled in five years.
- Coastal 500 Network: 350+ local leaders advocating for policies like industrial fishing bans near shores.
Alignment with Global Frameworks:
- 30×30 Target (KMGBF): Protect 30% of oceans by 2030.
- High Seas Treaty (2023): Aimed at protecting international waters; requires ratification by 60 countries. (India is a signatory)
Significance:
- Supports biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.
- Seeks to transform MPAs from being seen as liabilities into viable community investments.
- Tackles destructive fishing like bottom trawling, which causes €11 billion annual losses in Europe and destroys ocean habitats.