Island Conservation, Blue Nature Alliance, and local leadership partner to protect Rapa Nui’s ecosystems

RAPA NUI, CHILE – The Local Sea Council of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), a remote Pacific island known for its iconic Moai monoliths, has chosen Island Conservation and Blue Nature Alliance to support the effective management and implementation of Rapa Nui’s marine protected areas (MPAs). This collaboration focuses on strengthening governance, stewardship, effective management and long-term sustainability of these globally significant marine ecosystems, led by the Rapa Nui community.  

Effective Management of Rapa Nui’s MPAs 

Spanning an extraordinary 729,368 square kilometers (approximately 281,611 square miles), the Rapa Nui MPAs are some of the largest of their kind in the world. What sets them apart is their governance: the areas are co-managed by a Board of Directors integrated by the government of Chile and members of the democratically elected Rapa Nui Local Sea Council, or Koro Nui o Te Vaikava, composed of Rapa Nui community members. With six Rapa Nui representatives and five government representatives on the Board of Directors, it is one of the first MPAs globally to be co-managed by an indigenous majority. 

Island Conservation and Blue Nature Alliance are working in partnership with the Rapa Nui Local Sea Council and the Government of Chile to support implementation of the MPAs’ integrated management plan approved in 2025. This objective is being undertaken by working alongside island communities, authorities, and technical partners to advance the conservation journey of these MPAs. By supporting the Board of Directors in governance, natural resource management, environmental education, community outreach, scientific monitoring, and enforcement coordination, the partners will help build the conditions needed to achieve long-term management effectiveness and sustainable stewardship of Rapa Nui. 

Laure Katz

Executive Director of the Blue Nature Alliance

Sebastian Yancovic Pakarati

Natural heritage expert, ornithologist, researcher, and Director of Manu Project in Rapa Nui

Rapa Nui’s leadership underscores how Indigenous governance, western science, and global collaboration are converging into a unified approach to climate action—one that begins on islands and radiates outward across the world’s oceans. 

Media Assets 

Photos available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Z7iYqJGO4Ow23habUFuWMCFcToxE-h5X?usp=sharing  

Interviews available upon request. 

Media Contacts 

Island Conservation 

Sally Esposito, Senior Communications Director 

sally.esposito@islandconservation.org 

About the Partners 

Island Conservation’s mission is to restore islands for nature and people worldwide. We are a United States–based 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a globally distributed team—often made up of local islanders who bring deep knowledge and connection to the places where we work. Together, we collaborate with local communities, government management agencies, and conservation organizations to holistically restore islands by bringing back biodiversity, the foundation of all healthy ecosystems. We do this by removing a primary threat (introduced, damaging invasive species) and accelerating the return of native plants and animals. We utilize innovative technology and techniques to work more efficiently and showcase the many benefits of holistically restored islands for biodiversity, climate resilience, ocean health, and sustainable development across the globe. 

The Blue Nature Alliance is a collaboration led by Conservation International, The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Global Environment Facility, Minderoo Foundation, and the Rob Walton Foundation to catalyze the protection of 18 million square kilometers, or 5%, of the global ocean. To deliver durable impact at a planetary scale and accelerated pace, the Alliance provides a combination of flexible financial resources, technical expertise, and thought partnership to a diverse and ever-growing network of over 100 partners worldwide. Learn more at bluenaturealliance.org.   

Mini‑FAQ: Effective Management & Global Ocean Governance

What makes Rapa Nui’s marine protected areas globally significant?

Rapa Nui’s MPAs span more than 729,000 km² and are co‑managed by a Board of Directors composed of the Government of Chile and the democratically elected Rapa Nui Local Sea Council. With an Indigenous majority, this governance model is one of the first of its kind worldwide.

Who is involved in managing and supporting Rapa Nui’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)?

Management is led by the Rapa Nui Local Sea Council and the Government of Chile, with implementation support from Island Conservation and Blue Nature Alliance.

What does “effective management” mean for Rapa Nui’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)?

Effective management includes strong governance, clear decision‑making structures, natural resource management, environmental education, community outreach, scientific monitoring, and enforcement coordination. These elements ensure MPAs deliver real ecological and community benefits over time.

What is the Island‑Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC)?

The IOCC is a global initiative led by Island Conservation, Re:wild, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography to restore 40 island‑ocean ecosystems by 2030. Rapa Nui’s inclusion connects the island to a global network advancing ridge‑to‑reef restoration informed by Indigenous knowledge and scientific research.

How does ecological restoration benefit Rapa Nui’s ocean?

Restoration strengthens biodiversity, improves ocean health, enhances climate resilience, and supports local livelihoods. Scientific evidence shows that nutrient flows between islands and surrounding waters are essential for marine ecosystem productivity.

Why was Rapa Nui’s MPA recognized with a Blue Park Award?

Te Moana Tapu a Hotu Matuʻa received a 2026 Blue Park Award for meeting rigorous, science‑based standards for effective ocean protection. The award highlights how cultural integrity and strong conservation outcomes can advance together.

How does partnership with Rapa Nui support Indigenous leadership?

The collaboration between Island Conservation and the Sea Council centers Rapa Nui governance, ensuring decisions reflect community priorities, traditional knowledge, and long‑term stewardship values. Indigenous leadership guides both MPA management and restoration efforts.