The 1st of August is MPA Day!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. 

— Margaret Mead

As the countdown to Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day MPA Day on the 1st of August continues I would like to pause and reflect. How it is possible that a campaign, that is run with absolutely no budget, is celebrating its fourth consecutive year, and is bigger than ever before with hundreds of participants, over 20 activities and taking place in 10 countries?

As I think back to the start of MPA Day, in the middle of lockdown in 2021, I can see that the seeds for the success of the day were sown at the start. The idea started with the realisation that, if we wanted more people to support these crucial ‘game reserves of the ocean’ we needed more people to know about them. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are critical for the conservation of valuable marine biodiversity, and they can play an equally important role in supporting people – both socially and economically. However, most people have never heard of MPAs and thus their value is not appreciated by decision makers or the public. 

Awareness days are popular and are used by environmental organisations around the world to highlight special issues. Amongst the almost 140 different environmental days celebrated, we have a number of them dedicated to ocean issues including African Penguin Day, Turtle Day, Fish Migration Day, World Kelp Day – but prior to 2021 there was no day dedicated to raising the awareness of Marine Protected Areas. Although raising awareness in itself is not enough, it is an essential starting point.
 
These special days all start with raising awareness, and then lead on to galvanising and supporting action. How did MPA Day start? It started with a small team of people all passionate about the ocean, about influencing people and about the value of MPAs. When I asked the first Alliance members to join me to create the day – they all said yes – unconditionally! And it was this unconditional support that has enabled MPA Day to not only continue, but to expand and to go from strength to strength. No-one queried their cut of the budget (there is no budget), no-one queried the size of their logo (we are all partners), no-one tried to outshine another and inflate their egos. Each partner humbly does what they can, within their constraints, to make the day a success. And – we all have fun together, we do not have strategy sessions or critical targets – we give and support as we can.  
 
So, who are these special people – in 2021 the following four conservation organisations and two communication companies formed the core MPA Day Alliance – Two Oceans Aquarium, the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), Dyer Island Conservation Trust and WILDOCEANS (a programme of the WILDTRUST) with much needed support from FLOW Communication and Olivia Jones Communications. By 2024 the team had grown to include Cape Nature, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Adventure Mania, Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, Justice4Jaws, Ocean Festival Aliwal Shoal, I Am Water, Save our Seas, Youth4MPAs and WWF-SA. Excitingly this year the worldwide Mission Blue Hope Spot community and the HELCOM Protect Baltic community joined MPA Day, and this is giving us far greater international reach and impact.
As we know – organisations do not do work – individuals do. Each organisation is represented by one or more amazing persons, and everyone works with enthusiasm and does way more than expected. To everyone involved in MPA Day 2024 I would like to express my most sincere gratitude. Together this small group of committed people is starting to change the world for MPAs. And this is the secret to the success of MPA Day. 

This guest post was written by Dr Judy Mann-Lang, Executive: Strategic Projects at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa