XIAMEN, China – The Fisheries Management Area 1 made its presence felt in the international scene by joining the 2024 East Asian Seas Congress to present its joint project with the Blue Nature Alliance and Zoological Society of the Philippines on the establishment of Philippine Rise Ocean Conservation Area project on November 7 to 9, 2024 in Xiamen, China.

Participated by other east Asian countries, the Philippine delegates were represented by Atty. Arsenio Bañares, FMA1 Focal Person and Mr. Arsenio Tanchuling, member of the Management Board.  Dr. Benedicto Agulto, Regional Lead, Asia Engagements Blue Nature Alliance joined them in the event.

The call for conserving 30% of land and seas by 2030 fueled the creation of establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).  However, as the international community begins their implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM GBF) to achieve the global target, there are several challenges in building constituencies, and fostering political will to sustain commitments among key players, building capacity for effective and durable management, ensuring inclusive and equitable governance systems, and securing sustainable financing.

In summary, achieving 30% ocean protection through effective, equitable, and durable ocean conservation requires partnership at all stages of a site’s ‘conservation journey’ from the commitment and legal designation of a new or expansion area to actively and equitably managing it to securing sustainable funding.

Hosted by the Blue Nature Alliance, the forum in Mobilizing Action beyond 30×30 Commitment through Institutional Partnership aimed to encourage all Parties to consider the need for partnership and engagement beyond initial commitments towards implementation and impact. The event includes an interactive and engaging panel featuring governments and implementing partners of the BNA to build momentum for ambitious commitments toward global ocean conservation.

Panelists shared their personal experiences, lessons learned, and innovations in ocean conservation and offer encouragement and partnership to participants as they consider how to advance their country’s conservation journey to achieve the global targets.  The panelists/experts from FMA1 gave lecture on “Ensuring Inclusive and Equitable Governance Systems”, where Atty Bañares talked on the legal instruments such as the issuance of FAO 263 for the establishment of the Fisheries Management Areas in the Philippines while Mr. Tanchuling discussed the commitment of sectoral stakeholders for the project.

The PROCA project is part of the BNA global partnership established to catalyze the conservation of 18 million square kilometers or 5% of the ocean by 2027 in contribution to conserving 30% of the ocean by 2030. (A. Banares, FMRED)