New Marine Protected Areas in Papua New Guinea: A Community-led Success Story

In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, we have exciting news from Papua New Guinea. They have established two new marine protected areas spanning 16,000 square kilometers, making it one of the largest community-led efforts of its kind. The process took seven years and involved over 9,000 people from 100 indigenous communities. These protected areas are a significant victory for Papua New Guinea, indigenous peoples, and endangered marine species like sharks, rays, and turtles. This achievement sets an example of successful community and government partnership on the path to achieving the global 30 by 30 target. Tune in to learn more about this remarkable conservation effort. Share your conservation journey on the podcast by booking here: https://calendly.com/sufb/sufb-interview   Fill out our listener survey: https://www.speakupforblue.com/survey   Join the audio program - Build Your Marine Science and Conservation Career: https://www.speakupforblue.com/career   Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3NmYvsI Connect with Speak Up For Blue: Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc    In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, the host discusses the importance of ratings and reviews in helping new listeners decide whether to tune in. Listeners are encouraged to leave ratings and reviews on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other favorite podcast apps. The host specifically asks for feedback on why listeners enjoy the podcast and their overall experience. By sharing their thoughts, listeners can help others understand what to expect and potentially have the same positive experience. To further engage with the audience, the host suggests reaching out on Instagram and sharing a screenshot of their rating and review. It is emphasized that the host does not take offense if listeners don't love the podcast, but they want to provide transparency and help potential listeners make informed decisions. Moving on, the episode delves into the concept of contributing to ocean conservation commitments (OCCs) as a way for individuals to directly support marine protected areas (MPAs) and initiatives. OCCs are highlighted as a new funding model that has revolutionized conservation efforts. By financially supporting a specific square kilometer of an MPA for 20 years or more, individuals can have a direct impact on its management and success. The host draws a parallel to platforms like Patreon, where creators update their supporters on project progress. Similarly, supporters of OCCs would want to stay informed about the management of the MPAs they are supporting. The host acknowledges that OCCs provide an opportunity for individuals who may feel frustrated or unable to support larger initiatives to contribute to ocean conservation. However, the host also emphasizes the need for trust, fail-safes, and reporting mechanisms to ensure the effectiveness and transparency of the OCC model. The example of the island of Nui is mentioned as a case study to understand how the OCC model works and how people respond to supporting such initiatives. Listeners are invited to share their thoughts on the OCC business model and encouraged to listen to the episode for more information. Contact information is provided for leaving comments, ratings, and reviews, which can help others understand the value of the podcast and why they should give it a listen. Lastly, the episode celebrates the establishment of two new marine protected areas in Papua New Guinea. These MPAs cover an impressive 16,000 square kilometers, equivalent to 1.5 million hectares. Not only is this one of the largest MPAs in terms of size, but it is also significant because it was established through a community-led process. The process of establishing these MPAs spanned seven years and involved the participation of over 9,000 people from more than 100 indigenous communities. This community-led approach ensures that local communities have rights and a say over their lands and seas. The establishment of these MPAs is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the efforts of everyone involved. Furthermore, the creation of these MPAs in Papua New Guinea contributes to the global goal of protecting and conserving at least 30% of the Earth's land and seas by 2030, known as "30 by 30." While there is still progress to be made to reach this target, the establishment of these MPAs in Papua New Guinea is a step in the right direction. Overall, the episode underscores the importance of marine protected areas and their positive impact on biodiversity and conservation efforts. It also highlights the significance of community involvement and the crucial role that indigenous peoples play in managing and safeguarding their lands and seas.