Marine flyways: A key to ocean conservation

From 16^th - 18^th June 2026, world leaders will gather in Mombasa Kenya, for the 11th edition of the Our Ocean Conference (OOC). This marks the first time the conference is being held in Africa. This year’s theme Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future highlights the vital connection between humanity and the seas. Oceans generate more than half of the oxygen that we breathe, are home to more than 80% of life on Earth and play a key role in climate regulation. Additionally, these ecosystems provide food and livelihoods to billions of people. More than half of Africa’s 54 countries depend on the blue economy including fishing, shipping, tourism and energy among others. According to the African Union, the continent’s blue economy is currently valued at about US$ 300 billion, creating about 49 million jobs, and is expected to hit US$ 405 billion by 2030.

But these ecosystems are under threat. According to the recently released UN World Ocean Assessment , climate change, biodiversity loss, overfishing, and pollution are putting a strain on ocean systems. While around 10% of the global ocean currently falls under some form of legal protection, only 3% of this is fully or effectively protected. Further, the global marine conservation funding gap is estimated at US $ 14.6 billion annually, with only about US $ 1.2 billion flowing to ocean protection efforts, out of a needed US $ 15.8 billion, to protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. Protecting this interconnected ecosystem is not merely an environmental cause – it is a fundamental requirement for the survival of humanity.

One of the ways through which we can assess the health of our oceans is the breeding success and foraging behaviors of seabirds. Seabirds including the Critically Endangered African penguin found in South Africa and Namibia, or the Common Tern found along the East and West African coasts, rely on the same fish stocks as artisanal fishers. Declines in seabird populations often mirror depletion of food sources, driven by various factors including shifting climate conditions or overfishing. This also means reduced catches for artisanal fishers - highlighting a shared crisis across African waters.

African Penguins On The Sandy Coast In Boulders Penguin Colony In Cape Town, South Africa © Sergey Uryanikov

Seabirds undertake extensive migrations across the globe, following established routes known as marine flyways. These are vast migration superhighways across the open seas, used by seabirds to travel thousands of kilometers between breeding colonies and non-breeding areas. BirdLife International has identified six major marine flyways that represent the broad and repeatable movements of migratory seabirds, with Africa occupying a pivotal position in this global marine flyway network.

In March this year, governments officially recognized and established marine flyways as a global conservation framework, during the 15^th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) held in Brazil. This framework relies on tracking data to manage the ocean at a basin-wide scale, recognizing that "shared routes require shared responsibility". By pinpointing these key routes, the model highlights critical conservation areas, enabling governments and stakeholders to coordinate conservation efforts across maritime borders, mobilize much needed financing, and ultimately deliver conservation action and impact.

Additionally, the framework supports major global commitments including the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) which provides legal framework for protection of oceans areas that lie outside of any single country's territorial control (high seas) – covering more than two thirds of the global ocean. At OOC, BirdLife and partners will highlight Africa’s emerging leadership and the importance of regional partnerships in advancing protection of Africa’s oceans.

Later this year in September, BirdLife International will host the second Global Flyways Summit in Nairobi, bringing together various stakeholders including governments, conservationists, finance institutions, among other partners. The summit will provide an opportunity to advance protection of spaces that are critical for nature and people – including marine flyways, through exploring opportunities and enhancing collaborations.

Marine flyways underline the interconnected nature of our oceans. Protecting these vital routes, and the broader ocean requires international cooperation, sustained investments, and collective action. As world leaders gather in Mombasa, there is a need for renewed commitment to safeguard our oceans. Our very existence depends on them.

Tabea Zwimpfer is the Marine Programme Coordinator for Africa at BirdLife International