fbpixel August 2022 - Mission Blue

Monthly Archives: August 2022
Research Expedition in the Galápagos Marine Reserve Focuses on Overlooked Species and Habitats

English and Spanish versions below
Image: Dr. Sylvia Earle is about to go in the submersible for an exploratory dive in the twilight zone a couple of miles off Wolf Island © Rolex/Franck Gazzola 
The Galapagos Islands Hope Spot, Ecuador (August 16th, 2022)

A multi-institutional team of scientists led by legendary oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer, Dr. Sylvia Earle (Mission Blue) carried out a two-week expedition in the Galápagos Marine Reserve on board the M/V Argo to rediscover and evaluate some of the largely overlooked habitats and species in the reserve, as the Reserve approaches its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2023. “Galapagos will always be a special place,” explained Dr. Earle. “It was here that I discovered cold water kelp communities on the equator fifty years ago, and it was Galápagos that, years later, inspired our Mission Blue Hope Spots initiative.”…

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New Hope Spot in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Highlights Need for Increased MPA Support in Philippines

PHILIPPINES (AUGUST 11TH, 2022)

International marine conservation nonprofit Mission Blue recognizes Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park as a Hope Spot, with Katherine “Trin” Custodio, Executive Director of WWF-Philippines and Angelique Songco, Protected Area Superintendent of Tubbataha Management Office as the Hope Spot Champions.
Dr. Sylvia Earle, founder of Mission Blue says, “I salute Trin Custodio, Angelique Songco and their partners for doing what is in their power to push for increased protection for the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. Thank you for giving a voice to the hundreds of fish species, the coral, the whales, the sea turtles and many more who call these waters home.”
 
 
Tubbataha Reefs is the only exclusively marine World Heritage site in Southeast Asia and for more than two decades has shown resilience against wide-scale coral bleaching events and damage from destructive fishing practices.…

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New Champions of George Town Hope Spot Urge for Greater Protection of Harbor Waters

George Town, Great Exuma, Bahamas

In 2019, the Cayman Islands government had plans to build a multi-port cruise ship berthing facility in the heart of the George Town Harbor. The environmental impact assessments identified that this project would have a devastating effect on most of the marine ecosystems in the area. After intensive campaigning, community objection, and the recent changes in the cruise ship industry, the proposed project was canceled. Shortly after, the harbor was designated as a Mission Blue Hope Spot, representing hope for a healthy future for the island. Currently, there is no legislation that fully protects the Hope Spot from construction or development, but Chloe Bentick-Lalli, a local Caymanian student with the organization Protect Our Future, and Jon Schutte are dedicated to challenging the government to commit to comprehensive, thorough protection for the island.…

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