Mission Blue is the passion of marine biologist, oceanographer, and explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle. Dr. Earle was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and was named by Time magazine in 1998 as its first Hero of the Planet. Dr. Earle's goal for Mission Blue is to inspire action to explore and protect the ocean. Mission Blue started in 2009 with the goal of protecting 30% of the world's ocean by 2030 through Hope Spots. As of August 2022, there are 145 Hope Spots in 69 countries around the globe that cover 16% of the ocean's area.
Each day ScubaWeather randomly picks one Hope Spot so you can visit it. Use the Deep Dive feature to learn more about each day's special Hope Spot.
Perpetual Planet Initiative Rolex - yes, the company that makes watches - actively supports the work of Mission Blue, Dr. Earle and all those who are finding solutions to the world's greatest environmental challenges. In the documentary Heroes of the Ocean , Dr. Earle introduces us to six pioneering marine scientist, whose work ranges from outplanting resilient corals on the Great Barrier Reef to studying the impact of human noise on marine animals that rely on sound to live.
Coral Reef Insurance is a new type of insurance to protect the coral reefs, economies and the planet.
Fight for Our Reef is all about coral bleaching on the iconic Great Barrier Reef. It is not immune. For four times since 2016 the GBR has been hit with coral bleaching. In March 2022 91% of the entire GBR bleached.
Hope for Reefs is a global initiative led by the California Academy of Sciences to research and restore critical coral reef systems.
KAUST Reefscape Restoration Initiative is a 100 hectare (247 acre) coral reef restoration program in the Red Sea begun in 2021 and funded by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
Macaranga Coral reefs are the ocean's most diverse ecosystems and provide food, coastal protection, and income for the citizens of Malaysia. Current threats to coral reefs are acute; climate change has become the grim reaper of coral reefs.
Ocean Quest Global is an environmental organization, founded in Malaysia in 2010 by Anuar Abdullah, at work in seven countries through Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. After years of research, Ocean Quest Global has created its own techniques, methodology and material for coral reef rehabilitation, which are based on the idea that coral can be restored on a large scale, in an all-natural and non-invasive way.
Bahamas Plastic Movement was created in 2014 by Kristal Ambrose who was motivated by the plastic pollution in her home country. The organization believes that through research, education, citizen science and policy change, they can create a healthy marine and terrestrial environment free of plastic pollution.
Ocean Preservation Society uses film, photography, and social media – one “exposure” at a time – to inspire, empower, and connect a global community of activists working to protect our fragile planet.
AGRRA , the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment Program champions coral reef conservation and enpowers those who protect these diverse ecoysystems. AGRRA's initial goals, when formed in 1997 by Dr. Robert Ginsburg, were to provide a standardized assessment of key structures and functional indicators that could be applied to reveal spatial and temporal pattersn of reef condition. Since then over 3000 site surveys in 29 countries have been conducted and tha data input into one of the largest open-access public databases of the coral reef condition.
HEPCA (Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association) is an Egyptian non-governmental organization that was founded in 1992 by 12 representatives of the diving community in response to serious environmental threats affecting the Red Sea’s delicate and pristine ecosystems. HEPCA’s strategic vision is focusing on preserving and protecting Red Sea environment in general, and marine sensitive ecosystems in particular.
Love The Oceans was founded in 2013 by marine biologist Francesca Trotman while doing her thesis research on shark fishing in Jangamo Bay, Mozambique. The goal of the organization is to protect vulnerable marine animals in Mozambique using a bottom-up, community-led approach through research, education, and diving.
Parley for the Oceans There is no magic fix for complex ocean threats. But there are simple steps you can take right now to be a part of the solution. Parley is the space where creators, thinkers, and leaders come together to raise awareness for the beauty and fragility of our oceans and collaborate on projects that can end their destruction.
Underwater Sculpture For the past 16 years, Jason deCaires Taylor has been creating underwater museums and sculpture parks beneath the waves, submerging over 1,100 living artworks throughout the world’s oceans and seas. Mr Taylor is the creator of the Ocean Atlas in the Bahamas, the Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park in Grenada, the MUSA in Cancun, Mexico, the Museo Atlantico off the island of Lanzarote, Spain, the Coral Greenhouse on the John Brewer reef in Australia, and many others. Themes explored by the sculptor include, among others, the climate emergency, environmental activism, and the regenerative attributes of nature. In the words of the Mr. Taylor, “Empower the youth so they can help rectify the endless mistakes we have made.”
Blue Endeavors provides people from all walks of life and backgrounds, the tools and resources necessary to put passion into action. Blue Endeavors "works as an incubator, fostering and supporting new and emerging research and development in ocean conservation to help ensure we are developing the most innovative ideas out there."
Healthy Seas was founded in 2013 to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon that is responsible for the needless death of marine animals. "Through cleanups with volunteer divers and by working with stakeholders of the fishing sector toward marine litter prevention, we collect waste nets and ensure they become a valuable resource."
Ocean Shot On May 27, 2021 Dr. Deborah Brosnan announced the launch of a 1-hectare coral reef restoration project in Antiuga and Barbuda. "Humans have mapped the human genome, landed astronauts on the moon, and in less a year developed a viable vaccine to a virus that created a pandemic and threatens humanity. It is time to focus the same attention on our oceans with bold, ambitious, and achievable initiatives." It’s time for an Ocean-Shot.