Save the Blue Five – Regional approach to protect migratory marine megafauna in the Southeast Pacific Region (SEPR)

The five species groups - whales, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles and manta rays - known as the Blue Five, are of outstanding biodiversity value and are particularly vulnerable due to their dependence on transboundary habitats. The project therefore takes a regional approach to improve their chances of survival. It strengthens the policy framework for the conservation and sustainable use of marine megafauna and promotes the implementation of coordinated measures. These include coordinated transnational conservation actions, a common monitoring system, improved science-policy interfaces, public-private financing mechanisms, capacity building and awareness raising. To achieve its objectives, the project promotes regional dialogue and cooperation among countries and stakeholders within the framework of the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific, as well as cooperation between policy and science.

Project data

Countries: Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru
IKI funding: 19,500,000.00 €
Included preparation phase: 500,000.00 €
Duration: 02/2023 till 01/2028
Status: open
Implementing organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Political Partner: Ministry of Environment (MINAM) - Peru

Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAE)

Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) - Costa Rica

Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MinAmbiente) - Colombia

Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS)
Implementing Partner: Conservation International (CI)

MarViva Foundation

Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS)
Online: https://savethebluefive.net/

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State of implementation/results

Three regional action plans on marine protected areas, sharks and rays, and marine turtles of the Permanent Commission for the Southeast Pacific (CPPS) are being updated.
Several side events and dialogue sessions were held at international conferences, such as the Interamerican Turtle Convention (Ecuador), the International Whale Commission (Perú), the COP on Biological Diversity (Colombia), the Immersed in Change Conference (Costa Rica), and the UN Oceans Conference (France).
In June 2025, CPPS launched the Regional Network of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas in the Southeast Pacific (RAMPAS) to strengthen regional collaboration on protected area management involving managers responsible authorities, civil society, local communities, and youth.
CPPS signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Interamerican Turtle Convention and the International Whale Commission to foster international collaboration on species conservation such as the joint development of manuals or species release activities.
A letter of support for a GEF-sponsored project focusing on the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) was signed. The collaboration between the two projects focuses on (a) governance, (b) regional corridor management, (c) regional blue economy, and (d) regional communications, knowledge management, and learning. A collaboration agreement between CMAR and Save the Blue Five is set up and was communicated officially in August 2025.
Ten species for regionally standardized monitoring efforts have been defined among partner countries: Green Turtles, Hawksbill Turtles, Leatherback Turtles, Humpback Whales, Bottlenose and Pantropical Spotted Dolphins, Whale Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Silky Sharks and Giant Manta Rays.
Training workshops on Species Release Methods for local communities and authorities were held in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, aiming at interinstitutional coordination, awareness-raising, and training to prevent and address mammal entanglement events.
A Blue Leadership training was conducted to increase leadership capacities and cross-sectorial cooperation among the six partner countries and different stakeholders. The established Blue Leadership network committed itself to setting up a mentorship programme with the Regional Youth Network for the Ocean aiming at mutual knowledge and experience exchange.
Educational and cultural workshops and events were held in Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia to involve youth and the broader community in conservation and sustainable management practices.
Seven private sector organizations and small-scale community businesses qualified themselves for financial support in an award-based competition, including in kind financial commitment by themselves. They are being supported in strengthening the conservation and sustainable management of migratory marine megafauna, ensuring coastal sustainable livelihoods.
A competitive fund (ProCompite) was set up by the municipality of Pisco with the aim to promote business models that combine environmental protection with local economic development towards a sustainable blue economy.
A regional awareness-raising campaign, based on scientific data and linked to everyday actions to create simple stories, is set up. Messages contain informative facts, appeal to emotions, and call for action for all stakeholders. The campaign was broadcast in public spaces.
An online library including a photo library was built and seeks to centralize knowledge on the conservation of marine megafauna in the Southeast Pacific, facilitating access to knowledge products.
The communication and capacity development strategies of the project are set up, including social media channels (Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube).