Boa Vista at the Centre of the Global Ocean Agenda: 5th Ocean Decade Conference

Photo credit: Fauna & Flora

From 23 to 24 July 2026, the island of Boa Vista hosted the 5th Ocean Decade Conference, bringing together around 300 participants from Cabo Verde and abroad, including policymakers, scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, civil society organisations, youth representatives and international partners. Held under the theme “Blue Economy: Sustainable Pathways”, the conference reaffirmed Cabo Verde's growing role in advancing sustainable ocean governance and the Blue Economy.

Among the organisations actively contributing to the conference was Fauna & Flora, which organised a side event entitled "From Sustainable Fisheries to Marine Protected Area Management". The event created a space for dialogue on two complementary initiatives being implemented in Cabo Verde: the Distant Water Fishing (DWF) project, focused on transparency and participation in fisheries governance, and the PaMAR project, which supports the effective management and long-term sustainability of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). One of the central questions explored during the side event was: how can Cabo Verde’s MPAs be equipped with the conditions needed to achieve their conservation objectives while delivering benefits to coastal communities?

One key topic discussed was the need to adapt the tools used to assess the effectiveness of MPA management in Cabo Verde. Recognising that many protected areas are still in the early stages of implementation, participants reviewed a range of international methodologies and explored alternatives better suited to the national context. Particular attention was given to the Compass Card tool, which enables a gradual assessment of protected area progress, from initial stages of development through to long-term sustainability and self-sufficiency.

Representatives from public institutions, civil society organisations, protected area management teams, research institutions and local communities worked together to adapt the tool’s criteria to the Cabo Verdean context. Discussions highlighted the importance of community participation, environmental education, ecological and socio-economic monitoring, sustainable financing, and strong institutional coordination as key components of effective MPA management.

With support from Arcadia, Ecological Restoration Fund, Blue Action Fund and Oceans 5, Fauna & Flora facilitated the participation of a diverse range of national stakeholders.

Participants supported through these partnerships included representatives from the Maritime and Port Institute (IMP), the Coast Guard, and the regional small-scale fisheries network CAOPA, represented through ROPA (artisanal fishers network). Fishers and community representatives from different islands of Cabo Verde also participated, ensuring that local perspectives and practical experiences were reflected in discussions on sustainable fisheries, marine conservation and the Blue Economy.

Beyond the conference sessions, many of these stakeholders also took part in the public exhibition and outreach activities organised in the central square of Sal Rei. The fair provided an opportunity for institutions, projects and community groups to showcase their work, engage with the public and raise awareness about the importance of healthy oceans and sustainable use of marine resources.

By bringing together government institutions, researchers, civil society organisations, protected area managers and fishing communities, the event highlighted the importance of ensuring that those most directly connected to the ocean have a voice in decisions affecting its future.

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Photo credit: Patricia Rendall