Marine Protected Areas (MPA)

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Established and Effectively Managed

This is the link to Marine Protected Areas TOR/Rules and Regulation:

• Rules of Procedures of the CTI-CFF Marine Protected Areas
• Marine Protected Areas Working Group Goals, Targets and Indicators
• The Terms of Reference of The CTI-CFF Sustainable Marine Tourism Task Force
• List of Sustainable Marine Tourism Task Force (as of September 2021)

The Coral Triangle, often referred to as the "Amazon of the Seas," is the global epicenter of marine biodiversity. Its coral reefs provide critical ecosystem services such as fisheries, coastal protection, and tourism, benefiting over 120 million people across the region. However, these ecosystems face escalating threats from overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change, with significant declines documented in reef health. In response, the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF) unites six member countries under a shared vision of conservation and sustainable development.

At the core of this initiative are Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which are essential for safeguarding marine biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem services. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines MPAs as “clearly defined geographical spaces managed to achieve long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services.” Complementing MPAs are Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), which conserve biodiversity through sustainable management practices outside traditional MPA frameworks. Recognizing the value of OECMs expands conservation opportunities by acknowledging diverse governance models, including Indigenous and community-led initiatives, as crucial components of regional marine protection strategies. Some of the member countries are beginning to acknowledge the importance of OECMS to improve protected and conserved area monitoring and reporting towards global 30x30 goals.

The CTI-CFF Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Technical Working Group (TWG) is dedicated to establishing, managing, and evaluating MPAs across the Coral Triangle. This work focuses on creating a connected network of MPAs that conserve marine biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience, promote sustainable fisheries, and support local livelihoods through capacity building and scientific monitoring.

The CTMPAS Framework

The CT6 have determined that a region-wide system will be more efficient and effective than individual national systems at reducing threats across the region. The Coral Triangle Marine Protected Area System (CTMPAS) is a regional system that prioritizes and connects MPAs through a structured categorization (Category 1-4). Through the CTMPAS, the CT6 are now expanding the role of MPAs and MPA networks in the context of long-term integrated coastal resource management to build and sustain natural and social resilience to climate impacts.

In recognition of the diversity of marine area governance, MPA classifications under CTMPAS also include national and local classifications. This inclusive approach acknowledges conservation efforts beyond traditional MPAs, strengthening ecological connectivity and biodiversity protection.

To improve conservation effectiveness, the CTMPAS nomination process is undergoing revision. This revision aligns CTMPAS with the IUCN Green List Standards and integrates both biophysical and socioeconomic indicators. The inclusion of socioeconomic metrics ensures that conservation efforts benefit local communities while maintaining ecological integrity. The revised CTMPAS nomination form will enhance the evaluation of governance effectiveness, biodiversity outcomes, and community well-being, reinforcing the role of MPAs and OECMs in regional marine management.

Coral Triangle Atlas

To provide a common platform for all the countries in the Coral Triangle to share their data, and to create a growing, updated database for better marine resource management decisions and science, The Coral Triangle Atlas (CT Atlas (https://ctatlas.coraltriangleinitiative.org/) 1.0 was established since 2009 and upgraded into Version 2.0 on 2019. It serves as a real-time monitoring and visualization tool, mapping MPAs and associated ecosystems.

In 2025, national data verification for CT6 will be conducted, inviting member countries and strategic partners to validate conservation data and refine MPA and OECM classifications. This collaborative process will improve data accuracy, transparency, and regional conservation planning, reinforcing MPA connectivity and effectiveness across the Coral Triangle.

The CT Atlas also supports the nomination of CTMPAS Category 3 and 4 MPAs, ensuring alignment with global biodiversity goals, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the 30x30 initiative.

The members of CTI-CFF MPA Working Group for 2026 are as follows:

Country	Name	Position
INDONESIA	Dr. Firdaus Agung	Director of Ecosystem Conservation, MMAF. Alternate: Mr. Ahmad Sofiullah Team Leader for Convention and Ocean Accounting, MMAF.
MALAYSIA (CHAIR)	Datuk Dr. Maklarin Lakim	Director of Sabah Parks. Alternate: Ms. Rimi Repin, Principal Assistant Director of Research and Education Division, Sabah Parks​. Dr. Nasrulhakim Maidin, Assistant Director, Sabah Parks​. Mr. Adam Malik Masidi, Marine Research Officer, Sabah Parks​​.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA (CO-CHAIR)	Mr. Bernard Kombeng Suruman	Manager MPA Branch, Conservation and Environment Protection Authority Alternate : Ms. Lisa Bun Senior Program Officer, Marine Protected Areas, Conservation and Environment Protection Authority.
PHILIPPINES	Atty. Felix S. Alicer	OIC Assistant Secretary for Field Operations — Mindanao and concurrent Director​ of the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau. Alternate : Mr. Isidro M. Velayo, Jr, MDM Assistant Director for Technical Services, Bureau Fisheries and Aquatic Resources​, Department of Agriculture​.
SOLOMON ISLANDS	Mr. Peter Husi'au’ana Kenilorea	Chief Fisheries Officer, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources​. Alternates: Mr. Trevor Maeda Principal Conservation Officer, Ministry of Environment, Climate change, Disaster Management and Meteorology and Meteorology​.
TIMOR-LESTE	Mr. Jose Monteiro	Chief Department of Biodiversity Conservation, and Aquatic  Environment Revitalization - MALFF​. Alternate: Mr. Abrao da Costa Menezes Staff of Marine Conservation - MALFF.

As of 15th Senior Officials Meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands in 2019, the six (6) Member Countries have reported 2,532 locally and nationally managed Marine Protected Areas.

Table. Number of Marine Protected Areas in Coral Triangle Member Countries

CT Country	Total Numbers of MPAs 2019 (National)	Total Area of MPAS (Km²)	Contribution MPAs In CT Area	Total Area of MPAS (Km²)
Indonesia	195	226,800 Km²	117	162,600 Km²
Malaysia	65	15,100.37 km2	4 MPA (Sabah)	9,523.63 km2 (Total)
Papua New Guinea	87 (Locally Managed)	2032.17 km2	87 (Locally Managed)	2032.17 km2
Philippines	1,800+ (Locally Managed), 73(National Managed)	33825.78km2 (National Managed)	1,800+ (Locally Managed), 72 (National Managed)	33825.78km2 (National Managed)
Solomon Islands	290+ (Locally Managed 2012), 1 (National Managed)	1,819 km2	290+ (Locally Managed 2012), 1 (National Managed)	1,819 km2
Timor-Leste	22	194.63 Km²	22	194.63 Km²
Region	2532	231,195	2371	166,995

Other examples of the accomplishments of the MPA Working Group include:

1. The CTMPAS List of External Reviewers was finalized
2. Conducted the:
   1. 8th MPA Regional Exchange in Kota Kinabalu and Kudat Malaysia
   2. 7th MPA Regional Exchange in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
   3. 6th MPA Regional Exchange in Tubbataha, Philippines
   4. 5th MPA Regional Exchange in Mactan Island, Cebu Philippines
   5. 4th MPA Regional Exchange in Honiara, Solomon Islands
   6. 3rd MPA Regional Exchange on Designing and Supporting National and Regional Marine Protected Area System in the Coral Triangle in Sanur, Indonesia
   7. 2nd MPA Regional Exchange on Monitoring and Evaluation for Improving MPA Management Effectiveness in Batangas, Philippines
   8. 1st MPA Regional Exchange in Phuket, Thailand
3. Developed Marine Protected Area Networks in the Coral Triangle: Good Practices for Expanding the Coral Triangle Marine Protected Area System
4. Established a Functional Region-Wide Coral Triangle Marine Protected Area System
5. Completed the Coral Triangle Marine Protected Area System framework and Action Plan
6. Conducted the Coral Triangle Atlas Meeting held in Penang, Malaysia in 2013
7. Conducted the Regional Exchange on Developing Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Protocol to support the Coral Triangle Marine Protected Area System
8. Developed Marine Protected Area Networks to Achieve Fisheries, Biodiversity and Climate Change Objectives in Tropical Ecosystems – a practitioner guide
9. Developed Biophysical principles for designing resilient networks of Marine Protected Areas to Integrate Fisheries, Biodiversity and Climate Change objectives in the Coral Triangle
10. Developed Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Assessment Tool

For 2023, the MPA working group has identified the following (potential) activities:

Planned Activities	Time Frame	Proposed Budget Online
9th MPA REX and 9th MPA TWG Meeting in Papua New Guinea Develop activities that integrate with other TWG in Priority MPA Site: Sustainable Marine Tourism final design and launch pilot sites Round 3 CTMPAS nomination Completion of CTMPAS Certification Process for Category 1, 2, 3 and 4	Q1-Q3	USD 8,500
A recovery plan for marine tourism is formulated/developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, by 2022 (Indicator B1.2.1.c)	Q1-Q3	SUFIA TS: Countries to share the information
#of mechanisms developed by SMTTF and voluntarily adapted by Member Countries to rehabilitate and strengthen resilience of marine tourism and other related or allied livelihood enterprises, by2023. (Output Indicator B1.2.1.a)	Q1-Q3	Looking for partner’s support
# of creative economies and innovative financing options developed by SMTTF, in view of the present and future pandemic risks and other types of hazards in terms of code of conduct, branding, guidelines, sustainable financing mechanism, projects, and capacity building, by2023 (Output Indicator B1.2.1.a)	Q1-Q3	Looking for partner’s support
Other activities related to RPOA 2.0	Q1-Q3	Looking for partner’s support