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Marine Protected Areas Day 2026 highlights ocean protection

Published on | 4 months ago

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The Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day will take place on 1 August 2026 to raise awareness of Marine Protected Areas and their role in protecting the ocean. The global initiative follows a 2025 edition that included 103 events in 39 countries. 

MPAs are often described as the sea’s equivalent of national parks. By limiting damaging activities, they can help habitats recover, support marine biodiversity and improve the resilience of coastal communities. MPA Day began in 2021, led by South African organisations, and marks the protection of 20 new or expanded MPAs in South Africa on 1 August 2019. The initiative is now endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. More information is available here. 

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