Mission Blue Hope Spot
IN 2009 AMERICAN oceanographer
Dr Sylvia Earle launched Mission Blue, a global alliance with a vision to explore and protect the oceans through a series of Hope Spots, ocean areas identified as being of critical importance to restoring marine ecosystems.
Hope Spots may be nominated by anyone but are assessed by a Mission Blue council, based on criteria such as: the habitat they provide; the rare or endemic species they support; historical or cultural values; or their ability to reverse human-made damage to the planet.
Currently, less than 6 per cent of oceans are protected, and the organisation seeks to inspire the safeguarding of at least 30 per cent by 2030. Some Hope Spots currently have no protection. Others need strengthening.
Mission Blue, together with more than 200 local organisations, works with communities to establish protection. In 2017 Mission Blue added the Houtman Abrolhos Islands as a Hope Spot based on the area’s significant rare and endemic species; importance for nesting seabirds; whale migrations; and diversity of fish life.
Nomination of the Houtman Abrolhos
Islands was made by Regional Development Australia Midwest Gascoyne and the
Western Australian Ocean Foundation.
In adding the Abrolhos to the Hope Spot list, Mission Blue noted that the site is an example of conservation and sustainability in some of Australia’s most pristine waters, coexisting with economic activities such as lobster fishing and aquaculture.
A major sponsor of Mission Blue is Rolex, which has supported Sylvia’s work for decades. Through the Perpetual Planet initiative launched in 2019, the watchmaker supports exploration that seeks to preserve the natural world, such as Mission Blue oceanic expeditions and study tours.