New Marine Protected Areas Recognized for Outstanding Conservation
Nice, France, 12 June 2025 — Four marine protected areas (MPAs) were honored with prestigious Blue Park Awards today at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference. The newly awarded Blue Parks are: Cahuita National Park (Costa Rica), Gorgona National Natural Park (Colombia), Kaho’olawe Island Reserve (Hawai’i, U.S.), and Shark Fin Bay MPA Network (Taytay, Philippines).
These MPAs earned the Blue Park Award for exceptional efforts in conserving marine biodiversity and join a growing global network of 34 Blue Parks that meet the highest science- based standards for conservation effectiveness.
The winners were selected by an international council of marine conservation experts convened by U.S.-based Marine Conservation Institute. Awards are based on the Blue Park Standard, a rigorous, science-driven framework for MPA effectiveness. The four new Blue Parks encompass approximately 1,074 km² (415 mi²) of ocean, bringing the Blue Park Network’s total to more than 3.5 million km² (1.35 million mi²) of effectively protected ocean across 23 countries.
The announcement was made by Dr. Lance Morgan, President of Marine Conservation Institute, at a high-level event co-hosted with the Republic of Costa Rica, High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, MigraMar, EarthEcho International, and The Blue Quest.
“The recognition of the Blue Park Award to Gorgona National Natural Park is a milestone that reaffirms the value of conserving life in all its forms,” said Luisz Olmedo Martínez Zamora, Director of Colombia’s National Natural Parks. “This protected area is a refuge for extraordinary biodiversity and a symbol of our commitment to peace with nature. This award honors the collective efforts of those who protect these marine ecosystems, especially our park rangers and technical teams on the ground, whose silent work makes this type of recognition possible.”
“We hope that the participatory conservation model of Cahuita National Park continues to be a global example, allowing us to create synergies with other Blue Parks around the world to strengthen protected wilderness areas, conserve our oceans, and build the well-being of our communities,” stated Maylin Mora Arias, Regional Director of the Caribbean Friendship Conservation Area within Costa Rica’s National System of Conservation Areas.
Parque Nacional CAHUITA (Costa Rica)
Parque Nacional Natural GORGONA (Colombia)
KAHO’OLAWE Island Reserve (Hawai’i, U.S.)
SHARK FIN BAY MPA Network (Taytay, Philippines)
The 2025 Blue Parks join the Blue Parks Network, comprised of some of the world’s most outstanding marine protected areas and ocean champions. As the global conservation community works to protect 30% of marine and coastal areas by 2030 (‘30×30’), Blue Parks demonstrate exceptional models of effective biodiversity conservation that inspire accelerated action.
“Our Blue Park Award fits in perfectly with our commitment, and we’ll never give up on the ocean. With our Blue Park Award and our community, we want to be the first NGO to reach the 30×30 target in our bay in the Philippines,” said Fred Tardieu, President and Founder of the Sulubaai Environmental Foundation that co-manages the Shark Fin Bay MPA Network with local communities.
“This award recognizes our integrated system approach in blending modern resource management techniques with a Native Hawaiian culturally appropriate framework designed to serve future generations. We are not only restoring ecosystems but also ensuring access to marine and island resources for traditional practices and cultural perpetuation,” expressed Michael Nahoʻopiʻi, Executive Director, Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission.
“Congratulations to the 2025 Blue Parks,” Dr. Lance Morgan said. “To achieve the 30×30 target, we not only need more protected areas, but we need those areas to effectively protect wildlife and deliver the conservation benefits that will support coastal communities. Blue Parks are incredible models of success, and the teams of ocean champions behind these efforts inspire us all.”
Cocos Island National Park (Costa Rica) was also recognized during the event for its conservation improvements. It earned a platinum-level Blue Park Award this year after originally earning a gold-level award in 2019.
Five other Blue Parks were recognized during the event for having maintained the Blue Park Standard for over five years: Tubbataha Reef Natural Park (Philippines), Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Nature Reserve (France), Chumbe Island Coral Reef Sanctuary (Tanzania), Misool Marine Reserve (Indonesia), and Torre Guaceto Marine Protected Area (Italy).
Caño Island Biological Reserve (Costa Rica) was recognized as the newest Blue Spark in collaboration with MigraMar, a non-profit organization dedicated to research and conservation of marine migratory species.
***
Blue Parks is an initiative endorsed by the Ocean Decade.
About Blue Parks
The Blue Park Awards, established by Marine Conservation Institute in 2017, recognize marine
protected areas that meet science-based standards for effective conservation. Blue Parks
safeguard biodiversity, promote ecosystem resilience, and protect the natural beauty of our ocean
for future generations. Blue Sparks are collaborative marine conservation efforts that are making progress toward the
Blue Park Standard.
About Marine Conservation Institute
Founded in 1996, Marine Conservation Institute is a U.S.-based nonprofit working globally to
secure strong protection for at least 30% of the ocean by 2030. Through scientific research,
policy advocacy, and initiatives like the Blue Parks and Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas.org),
the organization works to ensure that ocean protection is both meaningful and lasting.
Contacts:
Dr. Sarah Hameed, Blue Parks Director & Senior Scientist
Marine Conservation Institute, USA
Sarah.Hameed@marine-conservation.org
+1 707 242 1997 cell/ WhatsApp
Dr. Lance Morgan, President
Marine Conservation Institute, USA
Lance.Morgan@marine-conservation.org
+1 707 217 8242 cell/ WhatsApp
Juan Carlos Cuervo, Communications and Environmental Education Coordinator
Marine Conservation Institute
www.marine-conservation.org
Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia
juan.cuervo@parquesnacionales.gov.co
Luisa Castillo, Communications Professional
Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia
luisa.castillo@parquesnacionales.gov.co
Johan Dominguez, Governance Coordinator and Communicator
Local Council of Cahuita National Park
Johandominguez1@hotmail.com
Ashley Razo, Public Information Specialist
Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC)
ashley.razo@hawaii.gov
+1 808-870-9492 cell
+1 808-243-1275 office
Frédéric Tardieu, President & Founder
Sulubaai Environmental Foundation
tardieu2@gmail.com
This article was originally published on the Marine Conservation Institute website.
The Blue Parks initiative highlights that the quality of protection, not quantity alone, is critical for the 30×30 target to achieve biodiversity conservation and restore ocean health.