Colombia announced the creation of a new Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Caribbean, located in the remote atolls of Serranilla and Bajo Nuevo at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) held this week in Nice, France.
The decision, led by the country’s environmental and scientific authorities, aims to strengthen protection for unique, highly biodiverse ecosystems near the San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina archipelago.
Despite the absence of the country’s president, Gustavo Petro, who canceled his trip following the assassination attempt on Senator Miguel Uribe, the Colombian delegation presented the new 3,800 km² MPA as an exclusive protection zone at this major event.
The creation of this MPA holds international significance. It not only reaffirms Colombia’s global commitments to ocean protection but also calls on other UNOC3 participating countries to follow its example with “bold measures to protect the waters that sustain life on Earth.”
Colombia announces creation of a new marine protected area in the Caribbean
This week, at UNOC3 in Nice, France, Colombia announced the creation of a new MPA in the Caribbean. It covers an area of approximately 3,800 km², consolidating a zone that was previously part of the UNESCO Seaflower Biosphere Reserve but now receives exclusive protection status for long-term conservation.
The decision was driven by Coralina – the Corporation for the Sustainable Development of the Archipelago – in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Colombian Ocean Commission.
According to Quincy Alberto Bowie Gordon, director of Coralina, “this new reserve will strengthen our capacity to protect the territory’s biodiversity against fishing pressure and preserve it… for our ethnic Raizal community and for the benefit of everyone.”
Located in one of the most remote marine areas of the Colombian Caribbean, these reefs have been little explored. However, a 2022 scientific expedition revealed outstanding biodiversity.
The National Geographic Pristine Seas team, in partnership with Colombian authorities, conducted 46 dives and logged over 100 hours of diving. They documented remarkable richness: over 150 fish species, 40 coral species, 25 sponge species, 64 algae species, 11 mollusk species, and 17 types of seabirds.
Ecological and social benefits of Colombia’s new marine protected area
The Raizal communities, who have lived off the sea for generations, will receive both ecological and cultural benefits.
Restrictive protection of the area will limit extractive activities—such as intensive fishing or tourism infrastructure—promoting the recovery and sustainability of coral reefs, which are vital for marine forests and the trophic cycle.
Scientifically, these actions align with Colombia’s goals to protect 30% of its marine areas by 2030. In fact, according to explorer Enric Sala, “Colombia has already reached the 30% target before 2030… but they won’t stop there.”
This new MPA marks the third decade in which Pristine Seas has participated in creating protected areas, becoming the 30th it has helped establish through research, scientific recommendations, and documentary support.
The project was consolidated thanks to a strategic alliance: Coralina, the Ministry of Environment, the Colombian Ocean Commission, and National Geographic Pristine Seas.
“Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla showcase Colombia’s incredible marine biodiversity at its finest: remote reefs where shark populations thrive and Caribbean corals still prosper,” stated Juan Mayorga, a marine scientist with Pristine Seas.
The challenge of effective management for the new Colombian marine reserve
The challenge moving forward will be to manage the area effectively. This involves designing and funding plans for satellite surveillance, maritime patrols to prevent illegal fishing, awareness campaigns, and constant scientific monitoring.
In the future, the scientific community hopes to conduct more precise inventories, assess coral health status using advanced technology, and explore potential contiguous areas that also deserve protection.
On a social level, efforts will focus on integrating Raizal communities into low-impact ecotourism programs, participatory research, and coastal monitoring, without jeopardizing the ecosystems.
Ultimately, today’s announcement marks a strategic step in building a consolidated “blue policy” for Colombia, where ocean protection moves from aspiration to a reality backed by science, institutions, and local and international commitment.
Colombia’s commitment to marine protection
In this international context, Colombia’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Lena Estrada, highlighted the South American country’s commitments to marine protection.
“Colombia has already surpassed 38% marine protection with protected areas. We arrived at UNOC3 with voluntary commitments: to restore 3,500 hectares of mangroves by 2028, improve marine protected area management by 6%, and implement a marine-focused 2030 Biodiversity Plan,” the minister explained.
Additionally, Colombia stated that “our commitment to SDG14 [global pact for underwater life] and the Global Biodiversity Framework includes restoration, reduction of marine pollution, and improved effectiveness of protected areas. Colombia accepts its global responsibility.”
Finally, Colombia announced it has signed the plastics reduction agreement, known as the declaration “The Nice Wake Up Call for an Ambitious Plastics Treaty.”
En #UNOC3, firmamos y apoyamos la declaración “The Nice Wake Up Call for an Ambitious Plastics Treaty”. Un llamado urgente a un tratado vinculante para poner fin a la contaminación plástica, desde la producción hasta la disposición final. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/myazj70x3o
— Lena Estrada Añokazi (@LenAmazonas) June 10, 2025
Nice hosts UNOC3: A key summit for the oceans
This week, the city of Nice became the epicenter of environmental diplomacy by hosting the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3).
The event brought together world leaders, scientists, activists, and private sector representatives with a common goal: driving urgent action to protect and restore the oceans.
During the opening ceremony, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need to strengthen international cooperation to combat marine pollution, overfishing, and the effects of climate change on ocean ecosystems.
“The ocean has no borders. Caring for it is everyone’s responsibility,” he stated.
Among the most notable advances, multilateral agreements were signed to expand marine protected areas and fund clean technologies for sustainable fishing.
Additionally, the exchange of indigenous and scientific knowledge in coastal management was promoted.
Thousands of citizens participated in parallel activities, from beach cleanups to educational exhibits.
The summit, which concludes next Friday, seeks a concrete call to action before 2030, under the motto “Our Ocean, Our Future.”