At the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, the Marine Conservation Institute announced the 2026 Blue Park Award winners, casting a well-deserved spotlight on the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. Three of the six prestigious awards were bestowed upon marine protected areas (MPAs) in Madagascar: Nosy Hara, Nosy Tanihely, and Sahamalaza-îles Radama National Parks.
This remarkable achievement reflects a sustained commitment to ocean protection within the WIO, a fitting milestone as the region hosted this year’s global conference. The Blue Park Award recognizes MPAs that meet rigorous, science-based standards for outstanding conservation effectiveness. These Madagascar parks are crucial additions to a 2026 cohort that collectively safeguards 732,000 square kilometers of marine habitat, elevating the global Blue Park Network to over 4.2 million square kilometers across 30 countries.
WIOMPAN extends its warmest congratulations to these exceptional sites and applauds the leadership displayed by these parks, as their success serves as a beacon of excellence for the entire region.
Alongside fellow honorees from Canada, Senegal, and Chile, the Madagascar sites demonstrate that reaching the global target to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 requires more than just geographic boundaries—it demands high-quality, proven conservation models.
Read more about the 2026 Blue Parks Awards on: https://marine-conservation.org/on-the-tide/2026-blue-park-awards/
