A great Mongabay article describes a 5-fold increase of Humpback Whales in less than two decades in a Multi-Use Protected Area in Chile called the Francisco Coloane Multi-Use Marine And Coastal Protected Area. 

In 2003, 40 Humpback whales were observed in the MPA compared to 190 individuals in 2017. The same study revealed a feeding area for the Humpback Whales was in a 15 square km area that was closed to fishing. A huge success.

Link To Article: https://news.mongabay.com/2020/03/chile-expedition-to-the-end-of-the-world-where-humpback-whales-are-thriving/

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Humpbacks are a great conservation story because their populations have rebounded since they were almost hunted to extinction in the early 1900s. Their population rebound around the world provides optimism inside and outside the marine conservation field; however, the humpback whale still faces dangers such as fish gear entanglement, ship strikes and oil spill pollution. 

The humpback population along the Pacific Coast of North America is doing well, but it is still on the Endangered Species List. The Endangered Species List designation comes with certain protections, especially for critical habitat; however, the humpback's critical habitat was not being protected by the federal government. Three organizations got together to sue the federal government to ensure they protected the humpback's critical habitat. Guess what, they won!!!

Find out what the result was by listening to the episode.

Source

Let me know your thoughts on this conservation win in the Facebook Group.

Check out The Deep Dive, where Brooke Tully and I talk more candidly about conservation marketing and how it applies to the Ocean.