Photo courtesy of Joaquin Labougle
Joaquin Labougle is the Regional Program Officer for Latin American and the Caribbean at the Blue Nature Alliance, a joint effort by the Global Environment Facility, Conservation International, Pew Charitable Trusts, Minderoo Foundation, and Rob Walton Foundation to support large-scale marine protected areas. In an interview, he shared how life lessons from his father, who like him is a lawyer and surfer, have underlined his work on diverse projects in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, and in areas beyond national jurisdiction – the high seas.
How did you get into this line of work?
Before joining the Blue Nature Alliance, I worked for the National Parks Administration of Argentina where I oversaw the National Directorate of Marine Protected Areas. During my time with the Argentinian government, I helped to draft and negotiate legislation to amend the legal framework of the Argentinian National System of Marine Protected Areas. I also helped to designate two large offshore marine protected areas within Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone, ‘Namuncurá – Banco Burdwood II’ and ‘Yaganes.’ Before working with the Argentinian government, I used to practice natural resources and administrative law at private law firms.
My father, who is also a lawyer and surfer, introduced me to surfing when I was a child and ever since, I have tried to spend as much time as possible in the water. This is what connects me to my everyday work at the Blue Nature Alliance and motivates me to continue working to preserve some of the last wild and pristine areas of the ocean that provide valuable ecosystem services for people.
Could you describe a project you are currently working on?
Through a partnership with Beta Diversidad, Blue Nature Alliance, and others, Mexico’s National Commission of Natural Protected Areas has applied innovative conservation, operation, and sustainable financing strategies to strengthen the management of Revillagigedo National Park. This has included the hiring of additional park staff; scientific expeditions to develop a marine ecological baseline for the area; a new digital platform to improve access to data on biodiversity and ecosystems; a financial sustainability strategy for long-term conservation; and engagement towards an IUCN Green List certification.
Has anyone you have met through your work made a lasting impact on you?
One person who has left a lasting impact on me is Emiliano Ezcurra, former vice president of the Argentine National Parks Administration. His commitment and determination to protect nature — despite political or institutional challenges — demonstrated the power of staying true to your mission. What made his approach particularly powerful was his ability to combine that ambition with grounded, genuine engagement with local communities and stakeholders. Emiliano also exemplified the importance of building strong, interdisciplinary teams and empowering others to lead. He understood that environmental challenges don’t exist in silos and made a point of creating spaces where scientists, policymakers, local leaders, and young professionals could collaborate and learn from each other.
What life lessons has working on environmental issues taught you?
Working on marine environmental issues often involves working across cultures, disciplines, and sectors, which has shown me that lasting impact comes from listening deeply, building trust, and respecting diverse perspectives, especially those of coastal communities who depend on the ocean every day. It has also taught me the value of hope grounded in action. The scale of the challenges facing the ocean can feel overwhelming. But I’ve seen first-hand how focused, collective effort can lead to meaningful change. Whether it’s a new marine protected area, a policy shift, or a restored coral reef, progress often starts with people who believe that solutions are possible and are willing to work persistently to bring them to life.
The state of the global environment can be concerning. What gives you hope?
I am hopeful about the field of large-scale ocean conservation because of the growing global awareness and commitment to addressing the urgent challenges facing our oceans. Particularly with the new targets set by the Convention on Biological Diversity to protect 30 percent of the global ocean by 2030, the approval of a final text of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) that will enable the creation of the first generation of marine protected areas in the high seas, and the strides made in addressing harmful fisheries subsidies through the adoption of a fisheries subsidies agreement at the World Trade Organization.
These multilateral agreements underscore the international community's recognition and consensus on the critical role the oceans play in climate regulation, biodiversity preservation, and the livelihoods of millions of people. As we collectively work towards these goals, there is great potential for positive change and the preservation of this vital resource for future generations.
The integration of innovative technologies, collaborative partnerships, and policy advancements provides even more hope for a brighter and more resilient future for our planet's vital and interconnected marine environments.
What message do you have for today’s political leaders, about the ocean?
Protecting places forever takes a long time, and it doesn’t happen overnight. When commitments are made to act, we need to remember that achieving strong, enduring protections is a journey. Higher levels of protection, effective management, and sustainable financing – which result in the greatest outcomes for nature and people – will be achieved through a sequence of measured steps rather than all at once. To reap their full biological and economic benefits, marine protected areas must be well-designed, well-managed, and under the highest protections possible. They need robust management plans along with sufficient staffing, equipment, and funding.
What advice would you give a young person who is interested in a career related to the environment?
Achieving the current global ocean protection goals that were set by 196 countries under the Convention on Biological Diversity of protecting 30 percent of the ocean by 2030 will require sustained investment and the expansion of large-scale, well-managed marine protected areas. The ocean conservation field needs passionate, informed, and adaptable people to lead the way. Since the field is increasingly interdisciplinary, developing an understanding of how science connects with economics, community dynamics, and international policy will enable anyone interested in it to contribute meaningfully to real-world solutions.
