St Helena Island Recognized as Mission Blue Hope Spot

November 13, 2023

In the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean between Angola and Brazil lies a remote volcanic island of a mighty 47 square miles (121.7 square kilometers). Discovered uninhabited in 1502 by the Portuguese, St Helena Island became a British Overseas Territory in 1659 and is now home to 4,439 residents (2021 Census). Due to its remote geographic location and small population, the island has not suffered the environmental degradation commonly seen in other blue places around the world. Recognizing this, the St Helena National Trust, and local and UK governments are working in tandem to maintain a vibrant and healthy future for both the island’s wildlife and human inhabitants.

 

 

 

International marine conservation non-profit Mission Blue has named St Helena Island a Hope Spot in honor of the island’s ongoing initiatives to manage and monitor its marine environment as well as to grow a sustainable economy.

Dr. Sylvia Earle, founder of Mission Blue, says, “This marine protected area and new Hope Spot of nearly half a million square miles now faces pressures largely outside its control from rapidly changing climate, invasive species and pollution. By becoming a Hope Spot, St Helena can act as a beacon to the rest of the world. Although geographically isolated, it is deeply ecologically connected to many distant realms, and indeed, other Hope Spots.”

 

 

Helena Bennett, Director of the St Helena National Trust, and Dr. Dayne Buddo, Director of Global Policy of Georgia Aquarium are recognized as the Hope Spot Champions, as these organizations have been working together with the St Helena Government for 10 years to implement marine science and monitoring programs for the island.

“The remote island of St Helena is a very special area of marine biodiversity and represents true hope for ocean resilience,” said Dr. Dayne Buddo, Director of Global Ocean Policy at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. “With steadfast resource conservation, this area should withstand the many issues that our ocean faces and demonstrate to the world the immense value of islands.”

“The Ocean has a way of enchanting us, capturing our imagination and intriguing us with mysteries of the unexplored,” said Helena Bennett, Director of the St Helena National Trust. “Our island and its surrounding waters are steeped in our culture, and traditions and have played a massive role in our history’s timeline since our island’s discovery in 1502, evolving our way with a sense of nostalgia and a feeling of belonging and home”.

In September 2016, the island of St Helena legally designated its entire exclusive economic zone (EEZ), nearly 450,000 km2, as a marine protected area (MPA), safeguarding species like whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).

 

 

Dr. Buddo says, “This Hope Spot can provide a window to the rest of the world to see how sustainable use of fishable resources (food security) can be accomplished.” He continues, “I hope these stories will resonate throughout all levels of society of how local fishers, NGOs and heads of governments can collectively work together towards achieving the ‘ocean we want’ – an ocean that is healthy, balanced and thriving for generations to come.”

“St Helena has an extraordinary combination of endemic species, natural beauty and the only known whale shark breeding location in the world. The Mission Blue Hope Spot designation, combined with the dedication of the local community to marine conservation, shows how we can save the ocean when we work together,” said Dr. Alistair Dove, Vice President of Science and Education at Georgia Aquarium.

 

 

St Helena’s remoteness and age have resulted in the development of a unique assemblage of marine species, creating an oasis in what would otherwise be a vast open ocean. The island’s narrow inshore area and offshore seamounts provide a unique habitat for a wide variety of marine species. More than 800 have been identified, 18 of which are endemic, and scientists believe there could be many more yet to be described. Offshore seamounts provide feeding opportunities for pelagic species and seasonally migrating megafauna including whale sharks and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).

 

 

The St Helena Island Government has taken the lead on evidence-based scientific research, policy, and legislation, and has just published a new Marine Management Plan (MMP) for 2023 to 2027, supported by the UK Government’s Blue Belt Programme. The Hope Spot Champions’ and local government’s goals for the island are ambitious. Delivering the objectives and actions of the Marine Management Plan will facilitate continuous community engagement and capacity building to foster ocean stewardship, local ownership, and sustained environmental consciousness across the island.

According to the MMP, a key value of the marine protected area is “Economic benefits and opportunities derived from the natural environment [are to be] underpinned by robust evidence and strong environmental consciousness.” Limited human pressure on the waters around this island means this oasis of biodiversity is in excellent condition, and the community of St Helena is rightly proud to keep watch over such a beacon of hope to others, and one that has been attracting the attention of eco-minded tourists. The island’s narrow continental shelf allows for whale sharks to come close to the shore, and snorkeling to see them has become both a popular ecotourism activity and an important economic opportunity.

 

 

While local marine tour operators have been voluntarily complying with an accreditation scheme since 2016, new marine regulations were introduced earlier this year. Now, with the formal licensing of all operators, and full support from local marine tour operators the island can look forward to growing its marine tourism sector responsibly, championing the best of the Hope Spot and inspiring visitors in the process.

David Rutley MP, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Minister for the Americas and the Caribbean, says, “St Helena is home to a range of unique marine species and habitats creating breath-taking coastal scenery and underwater environments.” He continues, “I’m proud to see St Helena’s MPA designated as a ‘Hope Spot’. This speaks to the fantastic working collaborations St Helena has with its local community, Government and NGOs in creating ocean conservation consciousness through sustainable use”.

Craig Yon, owner of Dive St Helena says “I’m delighted that there is a structured approach to ensure we, the tour operators, are able to showcase our marine environment in a safe and friendly manner. Being accredited as a marine tour operator by the St Helena Government emphasizes the healthy working relationship earned over the years between the tour operators and the local authorities to protect the environment for future sustainable use.”

 

 

About St Helena National Trust

The St Helena National Trust, (the Trust) is an independent not-for-profit government organization, (NGO) that aims to champion St Helena’s heritage through collaboration, engagement, proactive management, and partnerships. The Trust’s vision; St Helena’s heritage for all, forever; we see our Island as unique and incredibly special. The buildings and forts, the traditions and customs, the plants, animals, and habitats all play an equal part in our heritage and they are important to those of us who live here but are also of great value to the wider world.

 

About Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium is a leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Atlanta, Ga. that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Georgia Aquarium is committed to working on behalf of all marine life through education, preservation, exceptional animal care, and research across the globe. Georgia Aquarium continues its mission each day to inspire, educate, and entertain its millions of guests about the aquatic biodiversity throughout the world through its engaging exhibits and tens of thousands of animals across its eight major galleries.

 

About the Blue Belt Programme

The Blue Belt is one of the UK Government’s flagship marine conservation programmes and is at the forefront of realizing the global ambition to tackle the threats facing the world’s oceans, including overfishing, species extinction, climate change and marine pollution. It works closely with 10 UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) to enhance marine protection across more than 4.3 million square kilometers of marine environment, covering 1% of the world’s ocean. From cutting-edge science to using new technology, this highly ambitious Programme is leading the way in supporting UKOTs in the effective management of their MPAs and in ensuring they are safeguarded for future generations. The Blue Belt Programme is supported by two world-leading organizations – the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the UK Government.