The health of our planet’s ocean impacts every person on Earth. It drives the weather, feeds almost half the world’s population of humans, and acts as a crucial carbon sink and reflective surface to keep our planet cool. But when it comes to protecting the ocean, one crucial piece of the puzzle is often overlooked: islands. These special places, and the people who call them home, play an outsized role in ocean health and stewardship. And one of the most powerful, collaborative tools we have to protect islands and the ocean are Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). 

An MPA is a designated section of the ocean where human activity is more carefully managed for the long-term conservation of marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and cultural heritage. MPAs are often described as national parks at sea: places where marine life can thrive, fish populations can recover, and coastal communities can build resilience. 

MPAs come in many forms, from fully protected no-take zones to areas that allow sustainable fishing. They are established by governments and can be managed in different ways based on their various needs and features. And each MPA is unique not only in its geography and the biomes it protects, but also in its stated goals and who manages them. Ultimately, though, all MPAs aim to protect ocean health in the long term, benefiting both nature and people. 

But protecting square miles of ocean is only part of the picture. MPAs depend on proper implementation and healthy islands, which are key sites of connection between land and sea ecosystems. Seabirds, for example, feed in the ocean and return to islands to nest, depositing nutrient-rich guano. This guano fertilizes island soils and washes into the sea, nourishing coral reefs and marine life. 

Restoring islands, and making sure that this nutrient flow continues uninterrupted, can lead to massive benefits for near-shore ecosystems. Research shows that restored islands can support 50% more fish biomass and coral reefs that recover from bleaching up to 4x faster. These benefits ripple outward, making MPAs around restored islands more effective and resilient. 

Real-World Examples of MPAs in Action 

• Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile is part of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, which is home to more endemic species than the Galápagos. Chile recently expanded the surrounding MPA by 350,000 km²—an area larger than Germany. Local communities are leading efforts to remove invasive predators and protect species like the Juan Fernández Firecrown hummingbird and the Pink-footed Shearwater. They’re also at the forefront of the management of their MPA, protecting the ocean ecosystems they rely on.
• Kamaka Island, French Polynesia is now part of the largest MPA in history, encompassing the entire French Polynesian exclusive economic zone and spanning 4.8 million square kilometers. After Island Conservation’s successful ecosystem restoration with local partners, the Critically Endangered Polynesian Storm-petrel returned to nest here for the first time in 100 years. This success shows how quickly nature can rebound when given the chance.
• On Rapa Nui/Easter Island, the local sea council is leading the charge in managing their MPA—because their way of life depends on the ocean, and the ocean depends on them. They’ve chosen Island Conservation as an implementing partner, a first-of-its-kind collaboration that stands to transform the way MPAs are managed, with island voices at the forefront.

Island communities are on the front lines of climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean degradation. Well-managed MPAs help protect their food sources, cultural heritage, and livelihoods. By supporting MPAs, we support islanders’ rights to steward their environments and build resilience for future generations. Involvement of Indigenous peoples in the governance and management of MPAs is both essential to achieving conservation goals and a right of Indigenous people.  

The ocean depends on islands, too: you can’t have a healthy ocean without healthy islands. The land-sea connection is real and powerful. Seabirds, sea turtles, and seals move nutrients, energy, and life between land and sea. Holistically restoring and rewilding islands amplifies the impact of marine conservation, and when islands are better able to support the lives of islanders who live on them, the ocean benefits from their stewardship too. 

MPAs help fish stocks rebound, protect endangered species, and build climate resilience. They also support sustainable livelihoods for island communities that depend on a healthy ocean. By protecting the ocean, we protect ourselves—our food, our culture, and our future. 

You can be part of this global mission. Support Island Conservation and the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge by making a donation today to help restore island-ocean ecosystems for nature and people worldwide, and keep up with our team by subscribing to our newsletter!