Expanding Marine Protected Areas and Advancing Ocean Governance under the 30×30 Agenda in Mozambique 2023–2030

Summary (50–75 words)
Mozambique is making notable progress toward the 30×30 target, particularly in the marine realm. Over the past two years, the country expanded its system of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by roughly 4.6% of the Exclusive Economic Zone and developed a comprehensive national Strategy and Action Plan for MPA Expansion, which is pending government approval. The strategy outlines priority areas, governance reforms, and implementation steps to reinforce coastal and marine conservation while supporting sustainable development.

Strengthening Marine Protection in Mozambique

Mozambique has taken substantial steps toward meeting the global 30×30 target, with marine conservation serving as a national priority. In the last two years, the country expanded its Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by approximately 4.6% of its Exclusive Economic Zone, largely through the designation of new protected areas and the enlargement of existing ones. These actions contribute to safeguarding ecologically significant habitats along the country’s 2,700-kilometre Indian Ocean coastline, including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and key fish spawning grounds that underpin food security and community livelihoods.

A central development has been the creation of the Strategy and Action Plan for the Expansion of Marine Protected Areas, which sets out the roadmap for achieving 12% marine protection by 2030. The strategy identifies ecological priority zones, proposes phased implementation, and outlines the criteria for MPA selection using marine spatial planning principles. It also highlights the need to integrate biodiversity

conservation with fisheries management, climate resilience, and socio-economic interests. The document is currently awaiting formal adoption by the Government of Mozambique, after which implementation can accelerate through further designations and improved management of existing MPAs.

Complementing MPAs, Mozambique is exploring the role of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). National consultations are underway to identify locally managed marine areas, community fisheries closures, and co-managed coastal forests that already deliver measurable biodiversity benefits. Recognizing these systems as OECMs offers an opportunity to strengthen community stewardship and broaden national reporting toward 30×30.

Strengthening governance and management effectiveness is another cornerstone of Mozambique’s approach. Priorities include improving surveillance and enforcement capacity, investing in ranger training, adopting modern monitoring systems (e.g., coral reef health, fisheries stock assessments, satellite-based surveillance), and mobilizing sustainable financing such as eco-tourism levies, conservation trust funds, and innovative blue finance mechanisms. Community participation remains central to ensuring equitable benefits and long-term conservation impact.

Outcomes and Lessons

Mozambique’s recent progress illustrates the power of a structured national roadmap for achieving 30×30 in marine ecosystems. The expansion of MPAs and development of a comprehensive action plan demonstrate clear political will and strategic direction. Incorporating OECMs has further broadened the country’s conservation toolkit by acknowledging the role of community-led and traditional management systems. Key lessons include the importance of aligning national objectives with regional and global commitments, ensuring that management and enforcement capacities keep pace with spatial expansion, and securing long-term sustainable financing. Mozambique’s

experience shows that durable ocean protection requires not only increasing MPA coverage but also strengthening governance, monitoring systems, and community engagement to ensure meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes.