2025 Blue Park Award Winners Announced at the UN Ocean Conference

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.

The Blue Parks initiative highlights that the quality of protection, not quantity alone, is critical for the 30x30 target to achieve biodiversity conservation and restore ocean health.