Announcing the First Global Ocean Refuge System (GLORES) Awards for Superlative Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Around the World

Announcing the First Global Ocean Refuge System (GLORES) Awards for Superlative Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Around the World.
Washington D.C.— Marine Conservation Institute, a leader in securing protection for the oceans’ most important places, announces the first-ever Global Ocean Refuge System (GLORES, pronounced “glories”) awards.
Today, according to the MPAtlas, only 3% of the world’s oceans have been designated as a marine protected area of any kind, and only 1.6% of the ocean is strongly protected in no-take marine reserves, the most effective form of conserving and recovering marine life.
Dr. Lance Morgan, President of Marine Conservation Institute said, “Marine Conservation Institute has worked closely with our GLORES Science Council composed of well-known marine scientists to create a system similar to Michelin Stars® for marine protected areas.
Is the MPA large enough, old enough, designed well enough and managed with the local community to work effectively?
GLORES awards are not designed to displace other organizations’ MPA systems or imply that Marine Conservation Institute had a role to play in their creation.
Each, based on his or her own deep connection to the ocean and the marine life that lives in it, recognizes the importance of the GLORES effort.
Dr. Sylvia Earle, a world famous marine explorer, former chief scientist of NOAA, and founder of Mission Blue said, “The Global Ocean Refuge System is critical to saving the biodiversity of our oceans.
The organization’s goal is to help create an urgently-needed worldwide system of strongly protected areas—the Global Ocean Refuge System (GLORES)—as a strategic, cost-effective way to ensure the future diversity and abundance of marine life.
Lance.Morgan@marine-conservation.org Cell 707 217-8242 WhatsApp 1 707 217 8242 Skype name Lance.E.Morgan Matt Coomer, Conservation Projects and Communications Coordinator – in U.S. Matt.Coomer@marine-conservation.org Office 206 686-3038 Cell 612 618-4758 Mike Gravitz, Director of Policy and Legislation – in U.S. Michael.Gravitz@marine-conservation.org Office 202 546-5346 Cell 301 351-5052 Background papers and b-roll video about GLORES available at: GLORES Site Contacts and Source of Pictures & Video Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (United States) Athline Clark, NOAA Superintendent Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument athline.clark@noaa.gov For more information, please visit: Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary (Colombia) Paola Andrea Rojas Malagón, Manager Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary paola.rojas@parquesnacionales.gov.co For more information, please visit: Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (The Philippines) Angelique M. Songco, Manager Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park tmo@tubbatahareef.org For more information, please visit: