Draft:Blue Parks

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  • Comment: References from independent and reliable sources are essential to demonstrate notability. Currently, the draft relies heavily on the organisation's official website. Hitro talk 11:10, 4 July 2024 (UTC)



Blue Parks (formerly the Global Ocean Refuge System, or GLORES) is a conservation initiative launched by the nonprofit Marine Conservation Institute in 2017. The program recognizes marine protected areas (MPAs) that meet criteria intended to promote long-term biodiversity conservation. The initiative is overseen by Marine Conservation Institute with guidance from the Blue Parks Science Council, an international body of marine scientists. [1][2][3]

History

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The idea for an international recognition program for MPAs was introduced in 2013 by Elliott Norse, founder of the Marine Conservation Institute.[4] Norse and colleagues consulted with marine scientists and practitioners through a series of workshops to develop the Global Ocean Refuge Criteria.[5][6][7][8]

The first version of the criteria was published in 2017, and the first awards were announced that year at the 4th International Marine Protected Area Congress in Chile.[9] In 2019 the initiative was renamed Blue Parks, and the criteria became the Blue Park Standard.[10]

Since its launch, Blue Park Awards have been presented at international gatherings including the Our Ocean Conference (2018, 2019, 2024), the United Nations Ocean Conference (2022, 2025), and the 6th International Marine Protected Area Congress (2023).[11][12][13][14][15][16]

In 2020 the Marine Conservation Institute introduced “Blue Spark” collaborations to support developing MPAs that are working toward meeting the Blue Park Standard.[17]

The Blue Parks initiative has been endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030)[18] and included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Panorama Solutions for a Healthy Planet.[19]

Blue Park Standard

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The Blue Park Standard sets criteria for MPA location and design, governance, management, protection level, compliance, and capacity. MPAs are evaluated against the standard by the Blue Parks Science Council. Awards are given to MPAs that meet the required criteria.[1][20]

As of 2025, 34 MPAs in 23 countries have received Blue Park Awards.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hameed, Sarah; Cornick, Leslie; Devillers, Rodolphe; Morgan, Lance (2017). "Incentivizing more effective marine protected areas with the Global Ocean Refuge System (GLORES)". Frontiers in Marine Science. 4 208. Bibcode:2017FrMaS...4..208H. doi:10.3389/fmars.2017.00208.
  2. ^ a b "News Release: 2025 Blue Park Award Winners Announced at the UN Ocean Conference". Marine Conservation Institute. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  3. ^ Schultz, Abbie. "Protecting the World's Oceans". Barron's. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  4. ^ "Marine Conservation Institute Announces the Global Ocean Refuge System (GLORES) to Protect Marine Life Worldwide". Ocean News & Technology. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  5. ^ Swan, Jon (23 October 2014). "The health of the oceans — and the Power of Three". The Lakeville Journal. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  6. ^ Morgan, Lance (8 September 2014). "Marine Experts Meet to Define Criteria for the Global Ocean Refuge System". Marine Conservation Institute. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  7. ^ "Marine Conservation Institute Releases Powerful Video Describing the Global Ocean Refuge System After Concluding an International Workshop on Marine Protected Area Collaboration & Tools". Marine Conservation Institute. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  8. ^ "IMCC4 Focus Groups". International Marine Conservation Congress. Society for Conservation Biology.
  9. ^ Formoso, Celeste Anna (8 September 2017). "Tubbataha reefs gets int'l award for marine protection". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Six Blue Parks Join the Growing Network of Global Ocean Refuges". Marine Conservation Institute. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  11. ^ Hamilton, Deandrea (30 October 2018). "Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park Wins Prestigious Global Ocean Refuge Award". Magnetic Media. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  12. ^ Shukla, Priya (23 November 2019). "6 Marine Protected Areas Awarded Prestigious 'Blue Park' Designation For Using Science-Based Strategies". Forbes. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  13. ^ Gomez, Eireene Jairee (9 July 2022). "Apo reef park bags global award". The Manila Times. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  14. ^ Nunez, Monica (2 October 2023). "Estacao Ecologica Tupinambas e Refugio de Vida Silvestre do Arquipelago de Alcatrazes Recebem Premio Internacional". conexao planeta. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Philippines Receives Blue Park Award for Siete Pecados Marine Park". Republic of the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  16. ^ Harriman-Pote, Savannah (19 June 2025). "Kahoʻolawe wins marine conservation award as Trump rolls back other Pacific protections". Hawaii Public Radio. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  17. ^ Hameed, Sarah (4 December 2020). "New Blue Park & Blue Sparks Join the Growing Network of Highest Quality Marine Protected Areas". Marine Conservation Institute. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  18. ^ "Blue Parks". UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Ocean Decade. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  19. ^ Hameed, Sarah. "Blue Parks". PANORAMA Solutions for a Healthy Planet. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  20. ^ "The Blue Park Standard". Marine Conservation Institute. Retrieved 28 August 2025.


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