Tonga has Fully Protected 30% and Sustainably Managed 100% of Their Waters
TONGA
In 2015, Tonga’s Cabinet launched the marine spatial planning process to sustainably manage the nation’s marine resources for current and future generations. To support Tonga's important work, a partnership between the Government of Tonga, the Vava'u Environmental Protection Association, and the Waitt Institute was formed to support fisheries management, sustainable ocean planning, and conserve biodiversity while allowing for sustainable economic development.
Initially focused on the Vava’u island group, the initiative has grown to be Tonga-wide and is a testament to Tonga’s ongoing commitment to sustainable ocean management.
The support from the Waitt Institute has four focal areas:
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Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)
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Special Management Areas (SMAs) for community fisheries
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Scientific research
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Sustainable Blue Economic development
SMA’s are coastal marine areas in which the community has exclusive fishing rights and management responsibilities, including establishing a designated no-take area. Led by the Ministry of Fisheries, the goal of the SMA program is to restore and enhance fisheries resources and increase the resilience of communities. These managed areas contribute to Tonga’s Marine Spatial Plan and their commitment to 30% full protection and 100% sustainable management of their ocean.
FOUNDING PARTNERS
ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING PARTNERS
The Ocean7 technical working group was established in 2015 and arose out of the need for cross-sectoral planning and communication to achieve national MSP goals. Since then the Ocean7 has reached several key milestones in the process including 2 rounds of national consultation to develop Tonga's Ocean Management Plan (adopted by Cabinet in 2021), and guiding the development of the Tonga Ocean Management Bill, the Tonga National Ocean Policy, and Tonga’s Blue Economy Framework.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
KEY STATISTICS
30% of ocean fully protected in no-take areas.
99% of Tongan territory is ocean.
OUR APPROACH
Past
Ongoing
MOU
Implementation
Governance and
Work Planning
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Assessments
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Planning and Legal Development
PROGRAM MILESTONES
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2018
2017
Tonga passed the historic Ocean Management Act that fully protects 30% of their waters.
First cohort of Blue Economy Entrepreneur Fellows.
Submission of National Blue Economy Framework.
Launch of Compliance Assessment.
Submission of Legal Framework.
Impact and recovery mapping of Tongan coral reefs based on satellite imagery (led by University of Queensland).
2nd Tongan expedition launched to evaluate impacts on coral reefs and fisheries following the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai eruption.
Government of Tonga approved the Tonga Ocean Plan (later known as Tonga Marine Spatial Plan).
Conducted two nationwide consultations on Marine Spatial Planning, led by the Vava'u Environmental Protection Association.
Supported the development of 7 and the implementation of 9 Special Management Areas (SMAs) across Tonga.
Expedition launched to conduct scientific dive surveys and collect baseline data in the island archipelago.
MOU is signed between the Government of Tonga, Vava'u Environmental Protection Association, and Waitt Institute.
PROGRAM TEAM
Vava'u Environmental Protection Association
The Vava’u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) was started in May 2009 by a group of local leaders concerned with the pressing environmental conservation issues facing the islands of Vava’u. VEPA has four focus areas aimed at ensuring biodiversity and conservation, increasing knowledge exchange, and securing sustainable livelihoods.
