Photo credit: Lorenzo Bramanti.
The Marine Animal Forests Manifesto has just been launched, representing an important milestone for the international community working to protect and restore Marine Animal Forests (MAFs). This initiative emerges from the MAF-WORLD COST Action, a network that has brought together researchers, policymakers, and institutions from across the globe to advance the understanding, visibility, and conservation of these essential yet often overlooked underwater ecosystems.
Marine Animal Forests are complex habitats formed by corals, gorgonians, sponges, bryozoans, and other benthic organisms, which play a crucial role in sustaining ocean life. They act as biodiversity hotspots, nursery areas for fish, contributors to carbon cycling, and natural buffers that enhance coastal resilience. Despite their importance, these “living blue forests” remain insufficiently recognised in policy frameworks and are increasingly threatened by destructive fishing practices, pollution, and the accelerating impacts of climate change.
The Manifesto synthesises current scientific knowledge and outlines a shared political foundation to drive action. It calls for improved mapping and monitoring, stronger protection measures, the integration of MAFs into national and international policies, and increased investment in restoration and public awareness.
As a project that emerged from the collaborative environment built during the MAF-WORLD COST Action, OCEAN CITIZEN continues to work on the understanding and conservation of Marine Animal Forests. By supporting the dissemination of the Marine Animal Forests Manifesto, the project contributes to strengthening visibility, collaboration, and the collective effort to protect these essential underwater ecosystems.
You can read the full Marine Animal Forests Manifesto, which presents key recommendations for governments, institutions, and the scientific community to safeguard these vital ecosystems and prevent further irreversible loss.
