MPA Day
MPA Day is an annual global celebration of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), held every year on 1 August.
Established in South Africa in 2021 and recognised internationally as part of the UN Ocean Decade, MPA Day brings together communities, organisations, scientists, policymakers and ocean advocates to raise awareness of the vital role MPAs play in protecting marine biodiversity, supporting sustainable livelihoods and strengthening the resilience of our seas.
Through events, campaigns, educational activities and public engagement initiatives around the world, MPA Day highlights the value of healthy and effectively managed marine protected areas for both nature and people. As a partner of MPA Day, PROTECT BALTIC supports the campaign's mission to increase understanding of marine protection and inspire action to safeguard our shared marine environment.
MPA DAY 2026
What people love about European Seas
To celebrate MPA Day 2026, HELCOM and PROTECT BALTIC invited people across Europe to share what they value most about their regional sea and what they believe Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) should achieve.
A total of 191 people responded, representing six European sea basins: the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, West Mediterranean, East Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Although people described very different relationships with the sea, from childhood memories and coastal traditions to wildlife, recreation and livelihoods, one message emerged consistently: healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity underpin the experiences, benefits and values that people associate with Europe's seas.
My Ocean Place
Every one of us has a special place by the sea.
It might be a favourite beach, a quiet stretch of coastline, a harbour full of memories, or a Marine Protected Area that inspires you with its wildlife and natural beauty.
For MPA Day 2026, people from across Europe are sharing the places that mean the most to them through the My Ocean Place map. Together, these locations create a collective story of our connection to Europe's seas and the many reasons they deserve to be protected.
Explore the map, discover the places others treasure, and add your own favourite marine place to become part of this growing celebration of our shared ocean heritage.
MPA DAY 2025
Small but mighty: the Baltic Sea as a catalyst for transformative change in scalable marine protection
The HELCOM Secretariat and PROTECT BALTIC brought together marine conservation practitioners and policymakers for a virtual session on how strategic, evidence-based approaches can help accelerate and scale up marine protection.
The webinar featured PROTECT BALTIC Protection Optimization Framework, demonstrating how it is supporting more effective marine conservation planning across the Baltic Sea.
Through practical examples, participants explored how the framework has already helped drive governance improvements and is attracting interest beyond the region, offering a powerful example of how informed decision-making can turn ambitious protection goals into tangible action for the ocean.
Beach clean up
The PROTECT BALTIC team hosted a family-friendly beach clean-up in Espoo. The event began at Matinlahdenranta and continued by boat to
Iso Vasikkasaari in the Espoo Archipelago.
Bringing together families, volunteers, and ocean advocates, the clean-up highlighted the importance of community action in protecting the Baltic Sea’s Marine Protected Areas.
MPA DAY 2024
MPA Guide webinar
On 1 August 2024, MPA Day arrived on European shores for the very first time, bringing together communities, organisations and ocean advocates to celebrate the vital role of Marine Protected Areas in safeguarding our seas.
Want to learn more about effective marine protection?
Watch our webinar on the MPA Guide and discover how protected areas can move beyond lines on a map to deliver real conservation outcomes for nature and people.
Celebrating MPAs at Ar Research Station in Gotland
Hosted by the Blue Centre Gotland (BCG), HopeSpot Gotland and the Ar Research Station at Uppsala University, you can join this event and engage in discussions about marine biodiversity, as well as the future national park Bästeträsk.
Come explore the Baltic Sea with Pusa the Ringed Seal
My name is Pusa and I am a 6-year old ringed seal.
I want to teach you about where I live in the Baltic Sea and how you can help to protect my home!
