Protected Planet Report 2024

This initiative was born from the vision of David Sarmiento, IMARPE field observer and renowned 2023 Leatherback Champion, who decided to go beyond his job. David realized that, in order to achieve effective marine conservation, it was important to build bridges with artisanal fishers, based on mutual trust and respect. Using everyday tools such as local radio stations, social media, and training spaces, David forged an authentic connection with the crews of fishing boats in the cove of San Jose (Lambayeque). His approach combined scientific expertise with a deep human sensitivity. By listening, valuing, and exchanging ideas with the fishers, he enabled them to take the lead in bringing about change. Today, they are the ones who share recordings of rescues, reflections, and data on marine megafauna. Experience shows that conservation is most effective when it stems from strong human relationships and committed local leadership, generating sustainable learning and trust among stakeholders.

Jabal Shada is an isolated twin-mountain granite massif with spectacular scenery characterized by jagged spires, pinnacles, and traditional agricultural terraces. Located in the Al-Baha region in southwestern Saudi Arabia, it supports exceptionally rich floral diversity (nearly 493 recorded plant species) and traditionally important highland crops notably Shadawi coffee. The mountain is both an ecologically isolated element and a cultural landscape. It was declared as a protected area in year 2002 to secure unique biodiversity while supporting local livelihoods and providing nature-based tourism opportunities. Recent management planning emphasizes biodiversity monitoring, community partnerships (including agricultural support and farm-experience tourism), and identification of hiking/ecotourism trails to deliver conservation and socio-economic benefits.

Jilmoe-neup in Odaesan National Park is the only alpine Ramsar wetland within Korea’s national parks and holds significant ecological value. While it is strictly managed for biodiversity and nature conservation, growing concerns over climate change and the push for carbon neutrality highlight the need for broader public interest and involvement in wetland protection. In response, there is a shift from a solely protection-oriented approach toward one that encourages active public participation. It aims to help people rediscover the ecological importance of wetlands and take part in conservation efforts. To support this, the ‘Ramsar Wetland Guardians’ program was developed as the citizen participation program. It combines environmental education with hands-on exploration of wetland ecology. Through the BioBlitz method, participants work alongside experts to survey the biodiversity of Jilmoe-neup, document their findings, and engage in activities that monitor ecological changes within the wetland.

Nosy Hara National Park is part of Madagascar’s network of protected areas. A genetic reservoir of marine biodiversity, it is a sustainable fishing site par excellence, for the fishing community living around the park. Mangrove crabs, octopus and reef fish are the most commonly caught species. The Park is renowned for the production of octopus, fish for local, regional and even national consumption.

Overfishing in accessible areas by small-scale fishermen, the failure of nomadic fishermen to comply with fishing closures, and the lack of park staff for surveillance are among the daily challenges faced by park managers.

Co-management through the effective involvement of the local community in the preservation of the park is an approach adopted, particularly by the women’s community of the village of Ankingameloka, who actively participate in the co-monitoring of mangroves, the restoration of the ecosystem and the monitoring of fishermen’s daily catches.

Dans le cadre d’une gestion inclusive de l’environnement, le Togo a établi des Commissions Communales de Développement Durable (CCDD) : des plateformes de consultation décentralisées pour améliorer la participation des communautés aux débats environnementaux. Ces commissions traitent aussi des questions liées à la RPF. F4F-Togo a soutenu la création des CCDD dans trois communes de la préfecture de Tchamba afin d’améliorer la capacité opérationnelle à réaliser des mesures RPF. Une CCDD est une plateforme multisectorielle composée du maire, des chefs de canton, des présidents des comités de village, des responsables des services déconcentrés, des groupements de femmes et d’ONG. Elle agit comme un comité de gestion de l’environnement en général et de la RPF en particulier. Ses membres sont des personnes ressources en matière d’appui conseil et renforcement des capacités, lui permettant d’évaluer les problèmes environnementaux, de proposer des solutions et de mobiliser des ressources.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, provides a framework for the effective implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) through four goals and 23 targets. Target 3 (known as the ‘30×30 target’) calls on Parties to conserve at least 30% of terrestrial, inland waters, and coastal and marine areas by 2030. These guidelines are designed to promote good practices relating to identifying, reporting, monitoring and strengthening OECMs. They are intended for use by a wide range of rightsholders and stakeholders to promote understanding of whether a site meets the CBD criteria for identifying an OECM, how to report OECM data at the national and global levels, and how to monitor and strengthen OECMs.