Blog
The Government of Chile's approval of the Integrated Management Plan for the Rapa Nui Marine Protected Area (MPA) marked a significant milestone in conserving biodiversity in the Chilean sea. It demonstrates what can be achieved through collaborative efforts between local communities, non-governmental entities, and governments. The instrument, created in collaboration and by following the leadership and vision of the community, will strengthen the management and administration of Rapa Nui's ocean conservation areas through co-governance led by local community representatives.
This milestone contributes to the effective management of the 729,368 km² of ocean surrounding Rapa Nui and Motu Motiro Hiva. The approval is a step further on these islands’ conservation journey, allowing future generations to continue to conserve and use marine resources sustainably for their survival, just as their ancestors did for thousands of years. As a result, Chile has now substantially increased the coverage of marine protected areas with a Management Plan in place.
Today’s announcement was the result of years of hard work and dialog between the government and community members. Through an Indigenous consultation process conducted during 2024, local community members cast a decisive favorable vote for the Integrated Management Plan, with a resounding 86% of the votes in support. This vote had an unprecedented high turnout, with polling stations opening simultaneously in Rapa Nui, Santiago and Valparaíso. Thus, thanks to the sustained efforts of all stakeholders, Rapa Nui now has an Integrated Management Plan that safeguards its marine resources, strengthens local governance, and deeply respects the worldview of the Rapa Nui people.
We applaud the commitment and the work of the Rapai Nui MPA Board of Directors, the Koro Nui o te Vaikava (Sea Council), the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Ministry of the Environment, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service, and the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP).
"Blue Nature Alliance support has been essential in advancing this management plan, and we are grateful for their assistance in implementing the first effective conservation measures that will allow us to protect the island’s marine ecosystems, use resources sustainably, and thereby preserve our culture and traditions,” said Felipe Nahoe Tepano, President of the Rapa Nui Sea Council. “Now that the implementation of the management plan is underway, we look forward to continuing the collaboration by building local capacities that will remain in the territory to ensure the proper management of our MPAs."
The Blue Nature Alliance will continue to work with local partners and stakeholders to support the implementation of the management plan in a second phase of work starting in 2025, ensuring that critical fishing species are sustainably managed through the establishment of updated regulations and that a surveillance strategy is co-designed and implemented with the Sea Council.