Guinea: Six New Marine Protected Areas to Cover One Million Hectares of Its Marine Territory
Guinea is strengthening its commitment to protecting marine biodiversity. On 26 October 2026, in Yerevan, Armenia, Minister Fassou Théa announced the country’s efforts to expand its network of marine protected areas (MPAs), with the creation of six MPAs covering one million hectares of its marine territory. The announcement was made during the IMPAC6 high-level session dedicated to accelerating West Africa’s commitments to the 30×30 target.
Held on the sidelines of COP17, the meeting brought together several government officials from the region, including the Ministers of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, as well as a representative of Mauritania’s Minister of Environment.
Six Marine Protected Areas to Preserve Marine Biodiversity
Speaking during the session, Fassou Théa highlighted Guinea’s strategic position along the West African coastline. Located at the heart of the Southern Rivers region and at the confluence of active marine currents in West Africa, the country plays an important role in marine and coastal biodiversity conservation.
This geographical position gives Guinea a particular responsibility for preserving mangroves, marine flora and fauna. In response, the Guinean government has committed to expanding its network of marine protected areas through the creation of six MPAs covering one million hectares of its marine territory.
This initiative is based on consultation among several sectors, including the environment, fisheries, the economy and research, with the aim of promoting an integrated approach to marine resource conservation and management.
Management and Surveillance as Key Priorities
Beyond establishing these protected areas, the Minister stressed the need to ensure their effective management. He highlighted Guinea’s needs in conducting preliminary studies for the establishment of MPAs, promoting participatory management involving fishing communities, and strengthening surveillance to combat illegal fishing.
“These marine areas will only be useful if they are effectively managed. We need support in three areas: establishment studies, management with fishing communities, and surveillance to combat illegal fishing,” said Fassou Théa.
In this regard, he called on the partners present, particularly Bloomberg Ocean Fund and Oceans 5, to support Guinea in implementing its ambitions.
Towards Stronger Regional Cooperation
The Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts with his counterparts in Guinea-Bissau to promote cross-border biodiversity management and secure funding for conservation. This cooperation aims to strengthen the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems beyond national borders.
Furthermore, the Guinean government is preparing to ratify the Agreement on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, known as the BBNJ Agreement. The text has been submitted to Parliament. This process is intended to enable the country to contribute to international efforts to protect the high seas.
Concluding his remarks, Fassou Théa expressed Guinea’s determination to fully participate in regional conservation initiatives long championed by Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, with support from the Regional Partnership for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Zone in West Africa.
Through the announced creation of six marine protected areas covering one million hectares, Guinea aims to strengthen its contribution to preserving West Africa’s marine heritage and achieving the 30×30 target, which seeks to protect 30% of the world’s land and sea areas by 2030.
