TRANSITION 30+ is led by the Center for Marine Conservation at Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa and focuses on aligning spatial biodiversity targets and participatory processes for implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework in the WIO region, with focus on South Africa and Seychelles. The project brings together key actors in marine area-based conservation and spatial planning, including government, marine conservation agencies, academia, NGOs, resource users and local communities to ensure inclusive and effective conservation strategies. TRANSITION 30+ seeks to support the WIO region’s transition towards sustainable marine conservation, building on existing achievments in South Africa and Seychelles. With the rapid expansion of marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), both countries are striving to address the ambitious “30×30” target of the Global Biodiversity Framework, which calls for the effective conservation and management of 30% of marine areas by 2030. Seychelles achieved this milestone ahead of global commitments, while South Africa has taken significant strides with 20 new MPAs established in 2019. However, both nations face challenges in governance, resource management, and community engagement, particularly due to historical tensions around MPAs and competition for marine space. This project addresses these challenges by supporting better alignment of spatial biodiversity targets and participatory processes through co-design of relevant knowledge integration and synthesis. By working closely with stakeholders, the project will assess the policy landscapes of marine spatial planning (MSP) and area-based conservation, while exploring governance innovations such as co-management and public-private partnerships. Through in-depth case studies and stakeholder input, the project aims to highlight the unique conservation paths of South Africa and Seychelles, facilitating the sharing of lessons and best practices to inform broader regional strategies for marine conservation and a sustainable blue economy in the WIO region.