Chile’s Robinson Crusoe Island and Peru’s Chincha Norte Island Join Global Challenge for a Healthy Ocean
Press Release
June 17, 2025
Nice, France -- The Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC), an international conservation initiative led by Island Conservation, Re:wild, and UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, announced today at the United Nations Ocean Conference the addition of two new islands—Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile in the Juan Fernández Archipelago and Chincha Norte, Peru in the Guano Islands—to its ambitious campaign to restore and rewild 40 globally significant island-ocean ecosystems from ridge to reef by 2030 to benefit islands, the ocean, and people. The addition of these islands brings the total number of IOCC projects to 22.
The IOCC highlights the importance of holistically restoring island ecosystems, which produces dramatic results for native plants and animals, the ocean, and island and coastal communities. Adding these important islands to the IOCC unites the Latin American restoration and rewilding community to have an even greater impact and will be bolstered by the new Chilean Marine Protected Area where one of these islands resides.
During UNOC, Chile announced it is expanding Juan Fernández’s MPA, adding 350,000 square kilometers (135,135 square miles) of ocean protection.
Dr. Penny Becker, CEO of Island Conservation, said, “This is a historic effort by local island and coastal communities to be leaders in the restoration and rewilding of their islands. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with them and support their vision for healthy, thriving island-ocean ecosystems.”
Research shows that islands populated with seabirds and free of invasive species can have up to 50% more fish biomass and recover from bleaching events up to four times faster. Robust marine environments are essential for building climate resilience and sustaining island communities that rely on these natural resources.
Dr. Stuart Sandin, Biological Oceanography Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, said, “Restoring these islands is expected to significantly benefit the surrounding marine environment. Seabirds play a crucial role in restoring nutrient flow from land to sea through their guano, which enriches the soil and enhances near-shore marine environments.”
By joining the initiative, these island restoration projects will receive support in the form of shared knowledge, funding opportunities, media amplification, and interdisciplinary monitoring expertise. By offering a platform for meaningful partnership, the IOCC elevates the voices, experiences, and priorities of island communities.
Wes Sechrest, CEO of Re:wild, said, “The IOCC continues to lead the way in global conservation efforts, demonstrating the critical need for island restoration to protect biodiversity, support a healthy ocean, and sustain island communities.”
About the newly introduced islands:
Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile
Part of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, Robinson Crusoe Island hosts more endemic species than the Galápagos. With an area of approximately 47.94 square kilometers (about half the area of Manhattan), it features rugged terrain with steep cliffs and dense forests. The coastal benthic communities surrounding the island are diverse, harboring a wide variety of species such as the Juan Fernández lobster and the Juan Fernández fur seal.
Among the island’s endemic species are the critically endangered Juan Fernández Firecrown hummingbird and the Pink-footed Shearwater.
As part of their commitment, community members seek to restore and rewild the island by removing invasive predators, for the benefit of the island’s health, the ocean, and their own community.
Julio Chamorro, the Head of Robinson Crusoe’s Sea Council, said, “This is a dream that came from our ancient ancestors, who started with the knowledge of conservation. What we’re doing is for our ancestors, for ourselves, for our children, and for those who have not been born yet.”
Chincha Norte Island, Peru
Chincha Norte is a guano island, the largest of the Chincha Islands, measuring approximately 1.3 kilometers in length and 1 kilometer in width. Composed primarily of granite, the island features steep cliffs and is known for its extensive guano deposits, the result of historically large concentrations of seabird populations.
The surrounding waters are rich in marine life, including various species of fish and invertebrates, and host numerous seabird species such as cormorants, pelicans, and gannets. Unfortunately, bird populations on the island have declined by 90% in recent years due to the combined impacts of El Niño events and avian influenza.
As part of its commitment to biodiversity, the Government of Peru plans to use the restoration of Chincha Norte as a pilot case to evaluate the potential recovery of other historic guano islands.
Jose Luis Cabello, Island Conservation’s Head of Operations in Latin America, said, “The Chincha Islands, and especially Chincha Norte, embody a unique convergence of Peru’s natural richness and its historical legacy. These islands were once at the heart of Peru’s guano industry, a global symbol of the country’s marine productivity and island ecosystems. Today, their restoration is not only a matter of ecological importance but also a commitment to preserving a cultural and environmental treasure for future generations. By revitalizing Chincha Norte, we protect breeding habitats for seabirds, support marine biodiversity, and honor the deep-rooted connection between the Peruvian people and their coastal heritage.”
Chincha Norte, Peru. Photo credit: Jose Luis Cabello
Media Contacts:
Island Conservation
Sally Esposito, Strategic Communications Director, sally.esposito@islandconservation.org
Re:wild
Devin Murphy, associate director of media relations, Dmurphy@rewild.org
Photos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OntmBw9JJaaaWb2YTMdZGjXFW4vil2Vk?usp=sharing
About the IOCC: The Island-Ocean Connection Challenge is a global initiative led by Island Conservation, Re:wild, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, dedicated to restoring and rewilding 40 island-ocean ecosystems by 2030 through collaborative conservation efforts.
About Island Conservation: Island Conservation’s mission is to restore islands for nature and people worldwide. We are a United States-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization that collaborates with local communities, government management agencies, and conservation organizations to holistically restore islands by removing introduced, damaging invasive species and accelerating the recovery of native plants and animals. We utilize innovative technology and techniques to work more efficiently and showcase the many benefits of holistically restored islands for biodiversity, climate resilience, ocean health, and sustainable development across the globe. Visit us at islandconservation.org.
About Re:wild: Re:wild protects and restores the wild. We have a singular and powerful focus: the wild as the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity and human wellbeing crises. Founded by a group of renowned conservation scientists together with Leonardo DiCaprio, Re:wild is a force multiplier that brings together Indigenous peoples, local communities, influential leaders, nongovernmental organizations, governments, companies and the public to protect and rewild at the scale and speed we need. Learn more at rewild.org.
