Marine Conservation Institute

Day 61 of #Swim4TheOcean

924 km down. 463 km to go.

Jono Ridler is swimming the entire east coast of New Zealand’s North Island to help build momentum to end bottom trawling on seamounts.

24,000+ people have already added their names to the call.

Add yours here: liveocean.org/swim4theocean/

Moment #1 of 30

As Marine Conservation Institute marks 30 years, we’re reflecting on the people and ideas that shaped our work.

Founder Dr. Elliott Norse helped sound the alarm that ocean life was under threat - and championed places where marine wildlife could thrive.

#OceanConservation

#WildlifeWednesday from Area Marina Protetta di Torre Guaceto.

Featured in our first Enduring Blue Parks edition, this Silver-level Blue Park continues to deliver measurable biodiversity outcomes following its five-year review.

Effective protection sustains wildlife over time.

#BlueParks #Ocean

World Wildlife Day - through the lens of the Blue Parks within our network.

Ocean wildlife thrives where protection is science-based, enforced, and durable. The Blue Park Standard evaluates marine protected areas to ensure they deliver measurable biodiversity outcomes.

#WorldWildlifeDay #BlueParks

Protection must endure.

Blue Park Awards aren’t permanent - sites undergo rigorous five-year reviews to verify continued biodiversity outcomes and effective management.

We’re launching Enduring Blue Parks, beginning with Torre Guaceto, Italy.

Read more: marine-conservation.org/on-...

Scientists are calling on UN Member States to fully implement UNGA Resolution 61/105 and protect vulnerable marine ecosystems, including seamounts, from destructive bottom-contact fishing.

Eligible scientists may sign in their personal capacity: stateoftheocean.org/seamoun...

1,400 km. Unassisted.

Jono Ridler is swimming the entire east coast of New Zealand’s North Island to build momentum to end bottom trawling on seamounts.

Record-breaking endurance. Real policy stakes.

Learn more & add your name: liveocean.org/swim4theocean/

📸 Joshua McCormack

Happy #WildlifeWednesday from the Galápagos Marine Reserve 💙

A Silver-level Blue Park protecting reef fish, garden eels, and endemic species like the flightless cormorant - while strengthening connectivity across the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

📸 Jonathan Green | Frederick Larrey | Tui de Roy

On International Day of Women & Girls in Science, we recognize the women advancing ocean protection - from local rangers to global policy leaders.

Their work strengthens Blue Parks, MPAtlas, and High Seas efforts worldwide.

Science-based protection depends on diverse leadership. 🌊

Marine monuments are the national parks of the sea. The Northeast Canyons & Seamounts is the only one in the U.S. Atlantic—and rolling back its protections defies science and public will. 83% of New Englanders support these safeguards.

#SaveTheSeamounts

New MPAtlas data update 📍

As of Jan 1, 2026, the Azores MPA Network is officially in force—protecting about 30,000 km² of ocean in the North Atlantic Ocean. Full marine reserves overlap EBSAs, seamounts & IMMAs.

Explore the data: mpatlas.org/countries/PRT

As MPAs expanded globally, accountability had to follow.

Better data and clearer standards helped shift ocean protection from how much was protected to how well it worked—turning ambition into measurable impact. 🌊

#ChartingTheCourse #OceanProtection #30x30

Effective protection delivers results.

At Misool Private Marine Reserve—one of our Blue Parks—fish biomass is up 248%, shark numbers 190%, and manta rays have doubled over a decade.

Designed, enforced, and sustained protection works. 🌊

📸 Shawn Heinrichs; Tobias Zimmer

Protection only lasts if it’s managed—and enforced.

Blue Park evaluations look beyond designation to assess real-world management, compliance, and outcomes. Public comments on the 2026 nominees are open now.

🗓️ Comment by 5 Feb
🔗 marine-conservation.org/blu...

The high seas are deeply connected—ecologically, not politically.

With the BBNJ Agreement in force, ABMTs like high seas MPAs can now be proposed, reviewed, and adopted collectively to protect shared ocean ecosystems beyond national borders.

🔗 marine-conservation.org/hig...

Before marine conservation was widely recognized, science challenged the idea that the ocean was “in good shape.” 30 years ago, Marine Conservation Institute was founded to turn that knowledge into action. This is where our story begins. 🌊

Happy #WildlifeWednesday 🌊

Just a few moments from Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve—monk seals, sea turtles, dolphins, and seabirds sharing protected waters.

📸 Ross Kamimoto & KIRC

Does protection actually cover the biodiversity that matters?

The Blue Park Standard evaluates whether MPAs protect high-value ecosystems and species at scale. Evaluation reports for Blue Park Awards nominees are now open for public comment.

🗓️ Comment by 2/5
🔗 marine-conservation.org/on-...

The High Seas Treaty has entered into force!

A milestone—yes. But more importantly, a beginning.

Now what?

#BBNJ #HighSeas #OceanProtection

The High Seas Treaty is on the cusp of entering into force—but its impact will be defined by what comes next.

Implementation is where ambition becomes action. Our focus: ABMTs and strong high seas MPA proposals that deliver real protection.

🌊 marine-conservation.org/hig...

Protecting 30% of the ocean only matters if protection is effective.

The revised Blue Park Standard guides science-based assessments of marine protected areas. Evaluation Reports for 2026 nominees are now open for public comment through Feb 5.

🔗 Review & comment: marine-conservation.org/blu...

Happy #WildlifeWednesday 🐠

A little reminder of the incredible biodiversity we’re fighting for—from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, one of our Blue Parks.

📸 Tommy Schultz

Nearly half the ocean lies beyond national borders.

The BBNJ Agreement creates a path to protect it—together.

What happens next will shape whether high seas conservation becomes real protection, not just policy.

Learn more: marine-conservation.org/hig...

Meet the 2026 Blue Park Nominees 📍

This year’s nominees reflect diverse, place-based approaches to effective marine protection around the world.

Learn more about the nominated sites and the evaluation process → bit.ly/2026-nominees

#BlueParks #MarineProtectedAreas #OceanProtection

Halfway through the UN Ocean Decade, the data is clear:

Nearly 10% of the ocean is reported as protected—but only 3.2% is fully or highly protected.

Why the gap? And what’s at stake for 30×30?

🔗 Read about it here: bit.ly/halfway-to-30x30

We can’t reach #30x30 without the High Seas.

Nearly half of the ocean lies beyond national borders — and until recently, had no legal protection. The High Seas Treaty changes that. Now, implementation is everything.

🌊 marine-conservation.org/hig...

Happy 17th birthday to our Pacific marine monuments! These treasured ocean places protect seabirds, whales, sharks & tuna, and countless other species of ocean wildlife. Let’s celebrate their legacy, not tear it down.

As 2025 comes to a close, Marine Conservation Institute President Dr. Lance Morgan reflects on the state of ocean protection — and the work ahead as we move toward 30×30.

Read A Letter from Our President: marine-conservation.org/on-...

A Half Decade in Review 🌍

At the midpoint of the UN Ocean Decade, MPAtlas data shows how marine protection has evolved since 2020—highlighting progress toward 30×30 and why protection quality matters for real biodiversity outcomes.

#MPAtlas #OceanDecade #30x30

This is Kyra—and this is her coral story.

Check out the Blue Park Award Recipient, Misool Marine Reserve (or Misool Foundation) to learn more.

#BlueParks