100 Hope Spots Rolling In: Mission Blue Calling all PADI Divers

Mission Blue calls all PADI Divers to engage in action while officially teaming up

June 30 Press of Spain reported that Marine Biologists Specialists of Blue Mission are rolling into Formentera´s waters.

The team met with high authorities of Environment....

...July 4 Mongabay reported from Peru...Artisan Fishermen are demanding the creation of a new Hope Spot -and Marine Reserve.

...July 4 MYPE News reported that Marine Warriors are heading to Port Elizabeth South Africa. There the first pan-African strategy will deal with marine waste in the African Marine Waste Conference, The conference which runs from 9-13 July will be attended by the architect of the Global Hope Spot initiative, Dr. Sylvia Earle. Dr. Earle will seize the opportunity to voice for the creation of new Hope Spots in Africa.

It seems that Dr. Sylvia Earle ´s dreams are slowing coming true after an entire life of dedication.

Dr. Earle´s vision is Out-of-the-Box thinking. Bypassing completely the initial political support needed to create a Marine Protected Area MPA her organization Mission Blue goes directly into confrontation and action through the ignition of public support. The goal? A Global Network of MPAs. They started with one then five, now over 50 crown Hope Spots the global map. And they just keep on rolling in. Mission Blue is going after the creation of 100 Global Hope Spots.

“I wish you would use all means at your disposal - films, the web, expeditions, new submarines, a campaign! - to ignite public support for a network of global marine protected areas, hope spots large enough to save and restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet,” Dr. Earle’s 2009 TED Prize said in 2009.

Dr. Earle needs no presentation but for those who insist...American marine biologist, explorer, author, and lecturer. She has been a National Geographic explorer-in-residence since 1998. Earle was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA, and was named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998. Known mainly for keeping an out-of-the-office and into-deep-water-diving life Earle is today a legend.

“Hope Spots are special places that are critical to the health of the ocean -Earth’s blue heart. Hope Spots are about recognizing, empowering and supporting individuals and communities around the world in their efforts to protect the ocean,” Dr. Earle explains.

Since she launched the idea of Hope Spots in a Ted Talk in 2009 the idea has inspired millions across the planet to take action. Hope Spots work under the umbrella of Mission Blue.

Divers are at the center stage of the movement. Today Mission Blue is teaming up with none other than the largest global network of divers of the World -PADI.

PADI CEO Drew Richardson explains that the forged formal partnership results in a global campaign to build public support for the protection of Hope Spots.

“Divers are an important voice in the global coalition for greater marine conservation because they know first-hand the beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems. We believe deeply that this exciting new collaboration between PADI and Mission Blue will ignite broad support for further ocean conservation around the world. Onward and downward!” Richardson added.

“Through our partnership, PADI and Mission Blue hope to educate divers and ignite support for Hope Spots with the long-term goal of formally protecting more areas of our world’s ocean.”

PADI will showcase a different Hope Spot each month, such as the Coral Triangle and the Saanich Inlet, to give divers a deeper insight into these vital ecosystems and the need to safeguard them as protected areas. In the coming months, PADI Divers will learn more about some of the best Hope Spots for diving and have an opportunity to nominate new Hope Spots.

“If governments, civilian organizations and communities work together to formally protect Hope Spots, these special marine environments can form the seeds of tomorrow’s healthy ocean. Currently, only 5% of the world’s oceans are protected. By joining forces, the goal set forth by the International Union for Conservation of Nature -IUCN World Conservation Congress to protect 30 % of our World’s oceans by 2030 is reachable,” PADI kicked it.

PADI jumped right into the partnership by calling international divers to eye Costa Rica´s keystone island Coco Islands.

Cocos Island is not only one of the many Global Hope Spots but it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

"If, like a lot of divers, your inspiration to start diving came from Jacques Cousteau then Cocos Island should be on your radar: he considered Cocos Island to be the most beautiful island in the world," PADI states.

The island is not only beautiful but scientifically established as part of a Pacific Ocean Current movement and safe haven location for many species -some which even travel all the way down to Galapagos Island and back.

It "is one of the most important sites for the protection of large pelagic migratory species, such as sharks, rays and dolphins. Sharks that are commonly found here include endangered and near threatened species like the scalloped hammerhead shark, silky sharks and whale sharks," PADI expert divers added.  

Just because a location becomes a Hope Spot does not mean it is at all a Marine Protected Area MPA. Hope Spots are nominated in an effort to move areas into deeper controls and protection measures.

”Hope Spots allow us to plan for the future and look beyond current marine protected areas -MPAs, which are like national parks on land where exploitative uses like fishing and deep sea mining are restricted. Hope Spots are often areas that need new protection, but they can also be existing MPAs where more action is needed. They can be large, they can be small, but they all provide hope due to,” Mission Blue explains.

Mission Blue is a large global network. To silence its voice is impossible. Englobed by more than 180 respected ocean conservation groups and like-minded organizations, from large multinational companies to individual scientific teams doing important research, Mission Blue supports the work of conservation NGOs around the world that share the mission of building public support for ocean protection.

Mission Blue advocates keep moving rapidly. In Spain they are taking to gathering information on the Mediterranean Islands. There Mission Blue marine biologists met with Daisee Aguilera representative of Environment, and local researchers. In Spain they explained why Mission Blue has set full gears in the past months. Their goal is to create 100 Hope Spots.

Deeper Blue reported on July 5 that Dr. Earle has also confirmed her participation in Silence of the Sharks. Silence of the Sharks is a project which has planned to break a Guinness World Record in Israel with over 500 Divers protesting under water.

The five hundred divers will dive under the waters of Eilat on October 22nd and will broadcast live their action.

In Port Elizabeth South Africa home for the African Marine Waste Strategy to be developed in the Nelson Mandela Bay. Dr. Earle is a guest of honor among the over 200 delegates-many of the World's leading environmentalists, from over 15 countries.

Conference Organiser Dr Tony Ribbink CEO of the Sustainable Seas Trust said it was estimated that 350 kgs of plastic was reaching the ocean every second, which could potentially create the situation in 2050 where the ocean would contain more plastics than fish.

"This pollution is killing millions of marine animals and sea birds each year, damaging sensitive ecosystems, affecting environmental and human health. Aside from this fundamental degradation, the cost to Africa run's into billions annually,'' Ribbink said.

"Africa is data poor on the matter of marine waste on both sea and land, and limited research has been done so far meaning that management and development of informed strategies is being impeded," he added.

Earle will team up with Dr. Ribbnick to promote the work of Sustainable Seas Trust as well as the awareness and creation of new African Hope Spots and the education of those already created such as the Southern African Hope Spots and the Western Indian Ocean. Mission Blue has experience with marine waste and debri.

In Brazil Mission Blue joined Project Verde Mar -located in one of the most important spots for Brazilian tourism -the Sugar Loaf in Rio de Janeiro.  

Despite being under conservation laws the project in Brazil deals with constant waste and marine debri.

To address the situation, Verde Mar Project congregated scuba divers to collect and analyze waste accumulating in the ocean.The very first action took place in 2016.

“During the month of May -2016, we collected more than 10kgs of marine debris with the participation of four scuba divers. The main goal was not only “clean the ocean” but promote the action with videos and photos to bring the conservation community together in this mission. Since then, we’ve collected more than 100kgs of underwater debris and started a scientific project to identify the origin of this waste,” Verde Mar Project stated.

In Verde Mar most waste could be placed under two categories, Plastics and Fishing Gear. Plastic waste included bags, straws, cups and fragments congregate in the sandy bottom areas in particular and the Fishing gear Category ranged from ghost nets and entanglements common for sea turtles, morays, fishes and coral reefs around the rocky shore.

Hope Spots and Mission Blue have become an accessible platform for voices around the World which are not heard through the ordinary bureaucratic media. When government is stagnated or slow in action, Mission Blue is fast and global.

In Peru, Artisan Fishermen used an organized regatta from Cape Blanco in Piura to demand the creation of a new natural protected area. Artisan Fishermen assured that trawling fishing is devastating the marine ecosystems.

Artisan Fisherman Jorge Luis Tume celebrated the Fishermen´s Day with concern.

“We have scarce resources. If before we used to fish up to 200 kilos of white fish today we are barely reaching 20 kilos” Tume explained.

Along with hundreds of grouped Artisan Peruvian Fishermen of the region Tume voiced for the creation of the new Hope Spot and Tropical Pacific Marine Reserve to put a stop on trawling.

Mission Blue is convinced that Oceans can unite all kinds of different sectors. On June 21 they highlighted the work of FORCE BLUE -an organization which dedicates to restore critical marine ecosystems around the World. What is different about FORCE BLUE? Its members are Special Ops Veterans.

Mission Blue was moved and honored by the life story of US RECON Marine Sergeant Rudy Reyes. Marine Sergeant Reyes is a former combat diver who’s now on a mission to help protect and restore the ocean.  

“I cannot truly capture in words how profound his story is or the eloquent way he spoke about his life’s journey.  Nor, can I begin to fathom the magnitude of his experience as a combat diver.  All I can humbly offer is listening to him speak with such humility and passion, I was incredibly moved and a part of me is changed forever. Rudy’s new call of duty is empowering other Special Ops veterans to join FORCE BLUE’s conservation efforts to help restore critical marine ecosystems around the world,” Mission Blue correspondent reported.   

Along with US Air Force, US Navy Seals, US Army, British Royal Marine Commandos and US Military Veterans among others they are what Mission Blue describe as a “New Voice for Ocean Conservation”.

“The experience not only taught them about conservation but led them to learn something new about themselves. It gave them an opportunity to go through a transformative journey of rebuilding their lives, brotherhood, and being part of something that was much bigger than themselves. Engaging in diving and exploring the wonderment of the ocean and coral reefs allowed the veterans to form a deeper connection to nature.  Being surrounded by the vast beauty of the ocean, they discovered how interconnected we all are and our dependency on this fragile life-support system. As they engrossed themselves in restoring coral reefs, it taught them to have a new perspective on life. The powerful experience of their journey led them to find healing through ocean conservation and ultimately the healing that came from finding mercy, love and grace. Their new call to duty, ocean conservation, is a noble pursuit for the betterment of the environment and to help transform the lives of veterans,” Mission Blue reported.

Mission Blue is also seeing recognition from prestigious international organizations such as the IUCN. On June 26 they reported that “a rare success story could be found on the island of Vamizi off the east coast of Africa, where cool currents, and local conservation efforts supported by IUCN, protect coral reefs from the effects of climate change”.

“Mass bleaching happens when global warming-induced elevated sea surface temperatures cause stress to corals and if over a long enough time, mass die-offs. Indeed, in parts of the Indian Ocean, bleaching has affected coral by 60-90%. Situated in the northern Mozambique Channel, Vamizi is close to underwater channels bringing up cold water from the depths and cooling the surface waters so that corals here have a better chance of surviving climate change than elsewhere,” they explained.

The region supports over 230 species of coral and over 400 species of fishes and are the life plug for over 1.5 thousand local seasonal fishermen. Today a sanctuary aided by IUCN, WWF, and other organizations the place is teeming with life. Mission Blue also has its eye on Indonesia's Coral Triangle. With over 17 thousand islands which are part of the Coral Triangle they consider the area key for MPA.

But Mission Blue horizons don't seem to find the end-line, they stretch even into those poles where Oceans become ice.

On July 3 Mission Blue announced that they are a proud supporter of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution -WHOI Emperor Penguin study in collaboration with WHOI and The French National Research Agency.

“If projections for melting Antarctic sea ice through 2100 are correct, the vanishing landscape will strip Emperor penguins of their breeding and feeding grounds and put populations at risk.  But like other species that migrate to escape the wrath of climate change, can these iconic animals be spared simply by moving to new locations?” they asked.

According to new research led by the WHOI, they cannot. Scientists report that dispersal may help sustain global Emperor penguin populations for a limited time, but, as sea ice conditions continue to deteriorate, the 54 colonies that exist today will face devastating declines by the end of this century. They say the Emperor penguin should be listed as an endangered species. The study was published in the June 6, 2017 edition of the journal Biological Conservation.

“The relationship between Emperor penguins and sea ice is a fragile one,” Mission Blue says.

A relationship much like today´s relationship of our society in large with the Ocean.

Or is it?

Hope Spots keep Rolling In!