São Tomé and Príncipe Protected Areas

The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (STP), 220km off the coast of Central Africa, is extremely biodiverse, boasting two Ecological and Biologically Sensitive Areas and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Since 2015, FFI has been working with NGO and local government partners to build capacity to establish the country’s first-ever co-designed Marine Protected Area (MPA) network. This project will work with communities and government on STP to build the capacity, regulations, and co-management mechanisms required for these new MPAs to establish effective management of the nascent 9,300ha MPA network, diversify livelihoods to improve the wellbeing of over 4,900 people, and support national MPA commitments (e.g. 30x30). In the process we will demonstrate the practicalities and benefits of marine protection, laying a sturdy foundation to expand this new MPA network in the future.