The government of the Republic of Congo has just made official the creation of the country’s first three marine protected areas (MPAs). These are the MPAs of Loango and Mvassa bays, respectively in Loango and Pointe-Noire, and the extension of the maritime part of the Conkouati-Douli national park in the Kouilou department. The creation of these protected areas aims to protect biodiversity, guarantee the productivity of territorial waters and defend the interests of local communities.