[news_posted_on] March, 29 2026
By Fábio de Castro and Solange Azevedo, from Campo Grande (MS)
The oceans face intense pressure worldwide, with rising temperatures, acidification, overfishing, and biodiversity loss - and Brazil also feels these impacts in its marine and coastal ecosystems. For this reason, after consolidating its leadership on this agenda at COP30, the country placed the preservation of waters and the creation of marine protected areas at the center of discussions at another global event: the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), held from March 23 to 29 in Campo Grande, the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul.
Whales, turtles, and sharks are examples of marine animals that belong to species that need to travel long distances to complete their life cycles. Recent research shows that conserving and restoring these populations is essential not only for the health of the oceans but also to maintain ecosystem services that benefit other marine life and human life itself.
During their long journeys across the planet, these animals cross borders - making it impossible to protect them without cooperation among countries. One of the main topics debated at CMS COP15 was the creation of marine ecological corridors, known as “blue corridors”, connecting protected areas and ensuring the safety of these species’ routes.
WWF-Brazil organized two panels on the subject at the conference and supported the proposals of the Brazilian government, which stands out among other countries for its leadership on this agenda. “Marine migratory species do not recognize political borders. Preserving them requires international cooperation and the creation of corridors that ensure safety along their entire migration route”, emphasized Marina Corrêa, conservation analyst and WWF-Brazil’s focal point for ocean-related matters.
CONNECTING ESSENTIAL HABITATS
The creation of marine ecological corridors is not a trivial task, especially due to the complexity of ocean governance. At COP15, experts highlighted the importance of coordinated negotiations among countries, integrated public policies, and collaboration between scientists, local communities, and NGOs.
Blue corridors are vital migratory routes that connect essential habitats for feeding, breeding, and resting for marine species. Humpback whales along the Brazilian coast, for example, spend the summer in the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean, where they feed, and travel over 4,000 kilometers to regions such as the Abrolhos archipelago and the coast of Bahia.
However, any threat along this journey puts the conservation of the species at risk. In Brazil, the whale hunting moratorium is respected but is not enough to protect these animals from dangers such as hunting in international waters or rising temperatures in the Antarctic region.
At CMS COP15, there is strong momentum for creating blue corridors for whales, sharks, turtles, and other marine species. With the conference held under Brazilian leadership, whales received special attention, especially in the Abrolhos region, a nursery for the species and one of the main marine biodiversity hotspots in the South Atlantic. The Brazilian government is expected to advance the creation of a blue corridor in Abrolhos, reinforcing its importance not only for Brazil but for the world.
Progress in implementing the South Atlantic Whale Action Plan was also the focus of one of the panels organized by WWF-Brazil. “Whales are vital indicators of ocean health. Ensuring they can migrate freely between protected areas is also a way to safeguard marine biodiversity and the resilience of ecosystems”, emphasizes Marina Corrêa.
The event included participation from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (MMA), Marina Silva, who highlighted Brazil’s recent advances in ocean protection, mentioning Marine Spatial Planning, the Ocean and Coastal Thematic Plan, which is part of the Climate Adaptation Plan, and the creation of protected areas such as Albardão Marine National Park.
“We need to move from commitments to action, and that’s why we are here discussing the implementation of the South Atlantic Whale Action Plan. All these advances are already part of fulfilling this commitment, but we know there is much more to do. Creating sanctuaries is fundamental, and turning Abrolhos into a World Heritage Site also aligns with this goal”, said the minister.
The MMA executive secretary and COP15 CMS president, João Paulo Capobianco, mentioned other advances by the federal government in the agenda: “We approved the Sea Law in 2025, after 12 years of deliberation, created a National Sustainable Conservation Program for mangroves, and implemented national strategies for a Plastic-Free Ocean and Coral Reef Conservation. I believe we are really advancing on this important agenda.”
“There are whale populations at risk, but there are many more small cetaceans that need protection. I think we should consider this initiative as a broader cetacean action plan, including groups in greater danger than many whales”, added Brazilian biologist Alexandre Zerbini, researcher at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
In another debate, participants discussed global collaboration for creating blue corridors in the Southern Hemisphere, analyzing how these initiatives are being applied in practice through creative partnerships with local communities, scientists, NGOs, industry, and governments.
Concrete measures were highlighted to integrate whale migratory routes into navigation management, bycatch reduction, marine protected area planning, and national and regional policies to better protect populations.
To strengthen this effort, over the past five years, WWF and partners have mapped global migrations, produced reports on regional risks and opportunities, and developed BlueCorridors.org - a collaborative, open platform with the marine science community that visualizes threats and prioritizes measures to guide marine spatial planning and transboundary actions.
Although ocean-focused work was intense during COP15, it does not stop there. In the second half of 2026, WWF-Brazil will hold a workshop on blue corridors in the South Atlantic, so that countries in the region can update assessments and develop collaborative strategies for the conservation of whales and other marine species.
“Protecting whales and blue corridors is not just an action for Brazil; it is a commitment to the health of the entire South Atlantic. Ensuring that these animals can migrate freely between connected habitats strengthens biodiversity, ocean resilience, and marine life as a whole”, concludes Marina Corrêa of WWF-Brazil.
HOW WWF-BRAZIL ACTS
WWF-Brazil is committed to contributing to the construction of a sustainable future, in which the country advances toward emission neutrality, conserves its biodiversity, and is driven by a fair, inclusive, and responsible development model. Our strategy is structured around four pillars:
• Zero deforestation and promote Nature-Based Solutions.
• Strengthen biodiversity conservation.
• Protect the rights and well-being of traditional peoples and communities.
• Promote low-impact development.