Mission Blue

Mission Blue
Name	Mission Blue
Founded	2008
Founder	Sylvia Earle
Type	Non-profit organization
Headquarters	San Francisco, California
Focus	Marine conservation, marine protected areas
Leader	Sylvia Earle
Website	Mission Blue (organization)

Mission Blue is an ocean conservation initiative founded by Sylvia Earle that advocates for the establishment of marine protected areas called "Hope Spots" to safeguard biodiversity and marine ecosystems. The initiative mobilizes scientists, policymakers, philanthropists, and public figures to advance protections in areas including the Galápagos Islands, the Coral Triangle, and the Ross Sea. Mission Blue collaborates with institutions such as the National Geographic Society, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to translate scientific research into conservation policy.

Background and goals

Mission Blue aims to protect critical marine habitats by designating and promoting Hope Spots, catalyzing the creation of marine protected areas and advancing international agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The initiative emphasizes conservation of regions such as the Gulf of California, the California Current, the Chagos Archipelago, and the Sargasso Sea to preserve species including blue whale, humpback whale, leatherback sea turtle, whale shark, and tuna. Mission Blue's goals align with targets set by the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework to expand protected coverage of marine areas.

History and milestones

Mission Blue was launched in 2008 following a career by Sylvia Earle spanning roles at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory. Early milestones included partnerships with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and expeditions aboard research vessels like the RV Atlantis and the RV Falkor. High-profile achievements comprised advocacy contributing to protections for the Ross Sea MPA, recognition at the Princess of Asturias Awards, and collaborative campaigns during international gatherings such as the United Nations Ocean Conference.

Leadership and organization

Mission Blue is led by Sylvia Earle and governed through a board featuring scientists, conservationists, and communicators affiliated with institutions like the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Smithsonian Institution, and the University of Cambridge. The organizational structure integrates advisory panels with representatives from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the World Wide Fund for Nature, and the Ocean Conservancy. Regional coordinators work with national agencies including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada) on policy implementation.

Programs and campaigns

Key programs include the Hope Spots campaign, expeditionary science partnerships with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and public outreach through collaborations with National Geographic Society media projects and the documentary film Mission Blue (film). Campaigns have targeted areas such as the Coiba National Park, the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, and the Aldabra Atoll to secure statutory protections, restore fisheries, and reduce threats from deep-sea mining and unsustainable industrial fishing. Educational initiatives engage partners like the Ocean Exploration Trust and the Jane Goodall Institute to integrate citizen science and youth engagement.

Science and conservation methods

Mission Blue employs multidisciplinary science drawn from research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the International Pacific Research Center to inform marine spatial planning and ecosystem-based management. Methods include biodiversity surveys using remotely operated vehicles developed at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, genetic studies in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, satellite telemetry linked to NOAA platforms, and long-term monitoring modeled after programs at the Galápagos National Park Directorate. Conservation strategies incorporate marine zoning like those implemented in the Chagos Marine Protected Area and restoration approaches influenced by research from the Coral Reef Alliance.

Funding and partnerships

Funding streams derive from philanthropic grants by foundations such as the Packard Foundation, corporate partnerships with entities in the private sector, and project grants coordinated with the Global Environment Facility and the GEF Small Grants Programme. Strategic partnerships include alliances with the Marine Conservation Institute, Oceana, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and academic consortia at the University of British Columbia and the University of Queensland. Collaborative funding has supported Hope Spots research alongside national funding agencies including the Australian Research Council and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Impact and criticism

Mission Blue has been credited with raising the profile of marine conservation, contributing to the declaration of multiple Hope Spots and influencing policy outcomes like the designation of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area and expansion of protections around the Pitcairn Islands. Criticism has come from stakeholders over perceived top-down advocacy, tensions with local fishing communities in regions like the Philippines and the Western Indian Ocean, and debates about effectiveness compared to community-managed models exemplified by the Locally Managed Marine Area Network. Scholars associated with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and policy analysts at the Centre for International Governance Innovation have debated measurement of conservation outcomes and socioeconomic impacts.

Category:Marine conservation organizations