MPA support network to award most outstanding marine protected areas

This is a press release from the Marine Protected Areas Support Network.

The Marine Protected Areas Support Network (MSN), in cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), will hold online the Para el MAR Marine Protected Area (MPA) Awards and Recognition from September 8 to 10.

This year, the Para el MAR Awards and Recognition returns for the eighth time since the MSN started it in 2007.  

The Para el MAR (for the sea”) is a biennial event hosted by the MSN to showcase the country’s best performing MPAs. It is part of a performance-based incentive mechanism to promote effective management and science-based governance.

“Para el MAR recognizes best practices in marine conservation and protection in the country. Awards are given to local governments units (LGUs) and organizations for practicing more responsible fishing and mangrove ecosystem management, ecotourism and mainstreaming social enterprises for livelihood, industries and the maritime sector, to inspire other MPA managers in the Philippines,” saif MSN Coordinator Perry Alino.

“It is an event for the sea, which is our life and our hope.  The sea provides us livelihood and the food we eat,” Alino added.

There are 10 finalists this year under the Outstanding Locally Managed MPA, two finalists for Outstanding Network, and four finalists for the Best Mangrove Award.

The three-day program will start with presentations from the finalists coming from various local government units all over the country.

The event will culminate in The Linking of Champions event on September 10, where the winning sites from the three categories will be announced.

Representatives from the DENR, BFAR, DOST- Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), NGOs, and development partners are expected to attend the event. 

MSN is a coalition of over 20 organizations with its secretariat located at the UP Marine Science Institute and supported by the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Incorporated (MERF).

This year’s event is supported by BFAR, DENR, DOST-PCAARRD, United States Agency for International Development, Zoological Society of London – Philippines, Rare-Philippines. Oceana, First Gen, Pacific Environment, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit and MERF. – Rappler.com