Creating a network of MPAs in the Coral Triangle helps to protect high-conservation-value areas on a larger, more interconnected scale.

Using lessons learned from the experiences of different national programmes, WWF is helping craft policies and advocacy and communications products to push for the establishment of even more MPAs—not just to support local fisheries, but to preserve the beauty and diversity that draw tourists to an area and provides social and economic benefits to local communities and resource owners. 

WWF is starting to work with cruise ship companies in the region to help reduce the vessels’ impacts on coastal and marine environments, and to raise awareness among their customers on marine issues, and encouraging investment in protecting critical marine environments.

This collaboration will help address marine habitat degradation due to high shipping traffic, pollution, climate change (resulting from carbon emission, and leading to rising ocean temperatures), supply chain impacts, and unsustainable consumption of marine products.

The ‘Developing and Promoting Sustainable Nature Based Tourism in the Coral Triangle’ aims to present business opportunities and a case for conservation of marine ecosystems for the development and promotion of a nature-based, low-impact tourism brand to Coral Triangle governments and the private sector.

Carried out in collaboration with Australian Aid, this effort will promote national green and blue economies in the region, and provide both coastal communities and the private sector with strong incentives to aspire for sustainable marine tourism.