Progress report for
Support developing countries in protecting their marine areas
Achievement at a glance
The Blue Action Fund, backed by Norway since 2021, has since its inception financed 220 conservation processes in developing countries, working to establish or improve management of MPAs covering an area of 461,810 km². More than 750,000 people are reached through the projects.One example is from the Galapagos and Cocos protected areas: The Cocos Island Marine Conservation Area has significantly strengthened its control and surveillance capabilities through infrastructure and technology improvements. A key achievement is the establishment of a Marine Monitoring Centre in San Jose, equipped with advanced satellite technology and enhanced by WildAid's contributions of access control systems, tablets, video displays, and software. This centre provides continuous surveillance from the mainland to Cocos Island. A long-range Furuno radar was also installed on Cocos Island through a collaborative effort involving WildAid, Marviva, Global Conservation, FAICO, EarthRace, and government agencies. This radar system, coupled with operator training, significantly enhances vessel monitoring. Furthermore, a ‘Monitoring Centre Mirror’ was established on Cocos Island, mirroring the main centre’s capabilities and ensuring 24/7 surveillance, especially during peak activity. These combined efforts have yielded remarkable results. Global Fishing Watch data shows a 91.67% reduction in apparent fishing effort within Cocos Island National Park in the four months following the center’s establishment and radar deployment. This dramatic decrease in illegal fishing activity underscores the effectiveness of the improved monitoring and surveillance systems in protecting this vital marine ecosystem.
The support to FAO on Other Effective Area Based Conservation measures (OECMs) is likely to have led to an increase in OECM listings and validations, particularly in Asia and Africa, post-workshop interventions.
Challenges faced in implementation
Drastic need for more financing of MPAs.Next Steps
Johanne FremstadBeneficiaries
Over 750 000, including governments and coastal communities.