Featured Image: Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) identified on a research expedition. Credit: Edwar Herreno
COCOS ISLAND, COSTA RICA – 
Randall Arauz’s path to marine conservation began as a teenager on Junquillal Beach, Costa Rica, when he witnessed an olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) laying her eggs—only to see the nest raided by poachers moments later. That experience inspired a lifelong commitment to protecting sea turtles and the ocean ecosystems they depend on.
Arauz’s early work focused on protecting nesting beaches and exposing the deadly impact of industrial longline fishing on adult sea turtles. Through PRETOMA and later CREMA-Costa Rica, Arauz pioneered research the migratory routes of endangered species like leatherbacks and hammerhead sharks, helping to identify a critical corridor between Costa Rica’s Cocos Island and Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands.…

Cover image: Government of The Bahamas dignitaries with Dr Sylvia Earle, MSC Foundation, MSC Cruises and MSC Group representatives at ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Marine Conservation Center at Ocean Cay, From Left to Right, Daniela Picco, Hon Chester Cooper, Dr Sylvia Earle, Hon Philip Davis, Diego Aponte and Pierfrancesco Vago. Photo by Ivan Sarfatti
The MSC Foundation has celebrated the official opening of its Marine Conservation Center at Ocean Cay, marking a key milestone in its commitment to coral conservation and marine research in The Bahamas. 
The MSC Foundation’s Marine Conservation Center will be a base for biologists, scientists, students and island visitors alike, and will feature interactive pavilions, a lecture hall, a Bio Lab, and a land-based coral nursery. …

Cover image: Tessa Hempson
On Friday, 21 February, the Two Oceans Aquarium hosted Mission Blue and Champions from the seven South African Hope Spots. Dr Sylvia Earle, founder of Mission Blue and legendary marine biologist, joined the Hope Spot Champions in celebrating the growing South African Hope Spot network. The celebration included a collaborative workshop followed by a community event in the False Bay Hope Spot on Saturday, 22 February.

“It was an honor to bring together passionate Champions from across the South African Hope Spots network to share knowledge and inspire action for the preservation of these vital marine ecosystems. Together, individuals and communities in these Hope Spots, hold the power to conserve and protect the ocean—our life support system” said Shannon McIntyre Rake, Hope Spots Programme Manager.…

Featured image: Posidonia seagrass meadow. © Kip Evans
(SAN FRANCISCO & GENEVA) – 
In a significant move to bolster global marine conservation, Mission Blue and the MSC Foundation today, on International Day for Biological Diversity, announced a strategic three-year partnership to implement an ambitious ocean literacy programme and seagrass restoration project. This collaboration unites Mission Blue’s expertise, led by renowned oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle, with the MSC Foundation’s extensive outreach capabilities to inspire and mobilise widespread support for ocean protection.
Mission Blue and the MSC Foundation will collaborate on two main components: 

An ocean literacy programme, launching this summer, designed to educate and inspire about 4 million guests across MSC Cruises Division fleets about the importance of the ocean. The programme includes lessons, activities, and onboard presentations for cruise guests from luminaries in ocean conservation, emphasising the important role of Hope Spots and essential marine ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and kelp forests as well as the open ocean and deep sea beyond national jurisdiction.…

Featured image: Sunrise yoga. Photo © Mati Aravena
(SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA) –
Located along the New South Wales coast of Australia, the Sydney Coast Hope Spot is home to striking blue waters and a huge diversity of around 3,000 marine species. These species include over 600 species of vibrantly colored fish such as the protected weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus), which is endemic to Australian waters, and the peculiar pineapple fish (Moncentris japonica), whose jaw hosts glow in the dark bacteria. The last mainland colony of the little penguin (Eudyptula minor), the smallest penguin in the world at only 33cm high can also be found in Sydney Harbor.
With such a diversity of marine life, Sydney’s coastal waters are the pride and joy of the region and host more than 13 million visitors each year.…