I N S P I R I N G A C T I O N T O E X P L O R E A N D P R O T E C T T H E O C E A N

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 9

D R . S Y LV I A E A R L E C A B O P U L M O, B A JA C A L I FO R N I A , M E X I CO

© K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

D R . S Y LV I A A . E A R L E

AR2019

“A S NE VER BEFORE , THERE IS

KNOWLEDG E OF WHY THE OCE AN

MAT TERS TO E VERYONE ,

E VERY WHERE , ALL THE TIME .”

FOUNDER’S MESSAGE FROM DR. SYLVIA EARLE

AR2019

As never before, there is knowledge of why the ocean matters to everyone, everywhere, all the time. Knowledge now exists that did not and could not exist

prior to advanced technologies that have taken humans

high in the sky, deep in the sea, and provided the means

to look into the past, assess the present, and anticipate

the future.

The ocean holds 97% of Earth’s water, drives climate and

weather, regulates planetary temperature and chemistry,

provides the greatest diversity and living space for life in

the known Universe.

Now we know. The ocean makes possible everything we

care about — our health, our wealth, our security, and

everything else that matters to our species — by providing

the one thing that matters most of all: our existence.

Without the ocean, Earth would be as barren and inhospi-

table as the moon or Mars. It is the cornerstone of our life

support system. No ocean, no life. No blue, no green. The ocean will not dry up tomorrow, but trouble for the

ocean means trouble for us.

I could have only dreamed in 2009, the year Mission Blue

was founded, that Hope Spots would be scattered across

the vast ocean by the end of 2019. This year has been

Mission Blue’s most productive yet. We managed to

welcome 21 new marine ecosystems into the Hope Spots

network of increased ocean protection.

Working with community-based Champions, Mission Blue

has initiated enhanced exploration, protection, education,

documentation, and a vigorous program of communication

in 127 Hope Spots and strongly supports full protection

for the High Seas — the global commons beyond national

jurisdictions.

Whether you are an artist, a congressman, a scientist,

a corporate leader, a teacher, an entrepreneur or you are

still a kid, there are plenty of opportunities to protect the

ocean while there is still time. Around the world, people

everywhere are finding ways to make a difference.

Our Hope Spot Champions are collecting debris, writing

letters, conducting surveys, posting blogs, documenting

the environment, and changing their habits to do all they

can right now. We hope you will join us.

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D R . S Y LV I A E A R L E A N D M I S S I O N B L U E T E A M W I T H M E X I C A N PA R T N E R S I N C A B O P U L M O, B A JA C A L I FO R N I A , M E X I CO © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

4 Our Mission

6 Mission Blue Hope Spots — 2019 Snapshot

8 The Hope Spot Information Platform

11 Mission Blue Impacts

12 Advancing Ocean Literacy

13 Mission Blue Hope Spots — In Action

15 Mission Blue Hope Spots — Highlights

25 Expedition Program — Exploring Hope Spots

38 Future Mission Blue Expeditions

39 Financial Report

40 Partnerships — Key to Our Success

42 The Year 2019 in the Life of Her Deepness

43 The Next Decade: Diving Into The Future

44 Mission Blue Board of Directors

45 Hope Spot Scientific Advisory Council

46 Mission Blue Staff

D R . S Y LV I A E A R L E A N D P R E S I D E N T O F PA L AU TO M M Y R E M E N G E S AU J R . D I V I N G © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

OUR MISSION

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In 2009, Dr. Sylvia Earle won the TED Prize, a culmination

of both her life’s work and her heroic vision to save the

world’s ocean. From this remarkable dream of protecting

and restoring the ocean, Mission Blue was born. At that

time, less than 1% of the ocean was protected.

As of 2020, through worldwide efforts of groups and

individuals like Dr. Sylvia Earle and allies, about 10% of

the ocean is currently under some form of protection.

Dr. Earle and the Mission Blue team have been working

vigorously and without pause for a decade, acting as

international ambassadors for the ocean. Our global

influence is making a substantial impact in awareness and

policy, be it from Dr. Earle’s 300-days-per-year speaking

schedule, our Hope Spots expeditions, the Netflix

documentary, Mission Blue, major media coverage such as

TIME’s cover of Dr. Earle, or the millions reached every

year via our social media channels. We have no plans to

slow this amazing momentum towards ocean conservation.

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DR . SYLVIA E ARLE WON THE TE D PRIZE IN 2009, AND WITH

THE PRIZE STARTE D MISSION BLU E TO RE ALIZE HE R WISH OF

A NETWORK OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS — HOPE SPOTS —

TO PROTEC T THE BLU E HE ART OF THE PL ANET. DR . SYLVIA E ARLE GR ACE S THE COVE R OF TIME MAGA ZINE

A S PART OF THE FIRSTS SPECIAL PROJ EC T, FOCUSE D

ON WOME N WHO ARE SHAT TE RING GL A SS CEILINGS AND

CHANGING THE WORLD.

‹ D R . E A R L E O N T H E COV E R O F T I M E FO R K I D S .

Our overarching goal is to have 30% of the ocean fully protected

by 2030, in line with IUCN’s mandate to safeguard ocean health.

All of our Hope Spot work puts this objective at the forefront.

S C I E N T I S T A N D R E A A S U N S O LO S W I M S W I T H A N O C E A N I C M A N TA R AY AT T H E R E V I L L AG I G E D O A R C H I P E L AG O H O P E S P OT

© K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

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MISSION BLUE HOPE SPOTS — 2019 SNAPSHOT

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From the beginning, Mission Blue has ignited hope for

the ocean through outreach, expeditions, and a growing

global network of Hope Spots. The past ten years have

brought a groundswell of support from every corner of

this ocean planet with the Hope Spot community growing

faster than ever before.

Within this vast Hope Spot network is a vibrant ecosystem

of people as diverse as the ocean itself. Mission Blue

has both championed local citizens and empowered

international leaders, uplifting the spirits of people around

the globe with the belief that we can still restore the

ocean’s health.

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A R TI S T A N D M I S S I O N B LU E PA R TN E R PA M LO N G O BA R D I S H A R E S H E R CO LLEC TI O N

O F COA S TA L PL A S TI C S D U R I N G A B I OTH E R M S P O N SO R E D E XPE D ITI O N TO TH E

BA LE A R I C I S L A N DS H O PE S P OT © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B LU E

S H A N N O N TH E S H A R K , A K A S H A N N O N R A K E , M I S S I O N

B LU E ’ S H O PE S P OT PRO G R A M M A N AG E R , C ATCH E S U P WITH

A YO U N G M A R I N E CO N S E RVATI O N I S T AT TH E FLO R I DA

GU LF COA ST HOPE SPOT L AU NCH E VE NT IN OC TOBE R , 2019.

© M I S S I O N B LU E

MISSION BLUE HOPE SPOTS — 2019 SNAPSHOT CONTINUED

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Mission Blue is proud to report the

creation of 131 Hope Spots this

decade, with 21 designated in 2019.

Each one is making meaningful strides toward restoration

and protection. We work directly with more than 120 local

communities in more than 69 countries to restore and

protect their unique ocean environments.

Our team has completed 30 ocean expeditions, with three

in 2019. These are supported by the generosity of partners,

researchers, and sponsors who often join us. Expeditions

build collaborative relationships with local government

authorities, industry leaders, and community members,

including local schools. Stories and findings from each

expedition are shared with millions of people through

Mission Blue’s digital platforms.

To safeguard ocean health,

IUCN has called for 30% of the

ocean to be highly protected

from extractive activities by 2030,

and Mission Blue is putting its

full weight behind this goal.

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CO M M U N I C AT I O N S D I R E C TO R B R E T T LOV E M A N F I L M S D R . E A R L E I N S A N F R A N C I S CO. © D E B C A S T E L L A N A , M I S S I O N B L U E

THE HOPE SPOT INFORMATION PLATFORM

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The Hope Spot Information

Platform is a spatial, scientific,

multimedia database that enables

broad public engagement with

Hope Spots and facilitates

collaboration between Hope Spot

champions.

The interactive platform is accessible from the Hope Spots

map on Mission Blue’s website and features a library of

multimedia story maps, articles, videos, photos and scien-

tific data for each Hope Spot. The platform also facilitates

the nomination of new Hope Spots from the public.

With the support of ESRI, this conservation technology

platform was launched in 2020 and will continue to

evolve to meet the needs of the rapidly-scaling Hope Spot

program.

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M I S S I O N B L U E H O P E S P OT M A P © CO U R T E S Y O F E S R I

AR2019AR2019

9

C L I C K LO G O S O N M A P

FO R ACC E S S TO S TO RY M A P S

S E L E C T E D S TO RY M A P S

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“ I WISH YOU WOU LD USE ALL

ME ANS AT YOU R DISPOSAL

— FILMS , THE WEB , E XPEDITIONS ,

NE W SU BMARINE S , A C AMPAIG N   ! —

TO IG NITE PU BLIC SU PPORT FOR

A NET WORK OF G LOBAL MARINE

PROTEC TED ARE A S , HOPE SPOTS

L ARG E ENOUG H TO SAVE

AND RE STORE THE OCE AN ,

THE BLU E HE ART OF THE PL ANET.”

M A L LO R C A COA S T B A L E A R I C I S L A N D S H O P E S P OT

© K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

D R . S Y LV I A E A R L E

MISSION BLUE IMPACTS

AR2019

Collectively, With The

Ocean Community,

Our Goal is 30%Protection

By 2030

Hope Spots Aligned To Meet United Nations

SDG14 Target

We Empower More Than

100Communities

By Providing A Global Platform To Give Voice To

Their Goals And Achievements

In Ocean ConservationWe Launched

127 New Hope Spots

since 2010

We Reached

83 Million People On Our Media Platforms

With Our Vital Message Of Hope Through Ocean Restoration

We Share Our Information With More Than

250 PartnersAnd Allies

To Foster An Informed Community Of Ocean Advocates

We Explore Our Hope Spots Through Expeditions

— 30 In The Last Decade — To Catalog Species And Gain Scientific Knowledge

Of The Threats These Habitats Are Facing

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MISSION BLUE HOPE SPOTS

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

ADVANCING OCEAN LITERACY

AR2019

Our channels and partners share

inspiring Hope Spot stories

which are amplified by major

news outlets, in-person speaking

engagements, and our growing

global online community.

In 2019, working directly with Hope Spot Champions

all around the world, we planned and executed

a record 21 Hope Spot launches and folded them into

a Hope Spot-centric communications campaign that

garnered a reach of over 83 million, created over

1.4 million engagements and increased our audience

to just shy of 1 million unique followers.

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Social Media Reach IN MILLIONS

2009 2017 2018 2019

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Followers I N M I L L I O N S

2009 2017 2018 2019

1

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0

Partnerships

Communications

Community Engagement Science Advisory

Technology

Expeditions

Hope Spots

MISSION BLUE HOPE SPOTS — IN ACTION

AR2019

Hope Spot champions are agents

of change for a better future.

As ecologically significant areas that are critical to ocean

health, Hope Spots are about recognizing, empowering,

and supporting individuals and communities around

the world in their efforts to protect the ocean.

Some Hope Spots are already formally safeguarded as

marine protected areas (MPAs) while others still need

defined protection. If protected as MPAs, Hope Spots can

form the basis of tomorrow’s healthy ocean — an action-

able roadmap to take us from a period of decline to one

of bounty and health.

Working hard to move the needle for ocean conservation,

Hope Spot champions engage scientists, businesses,

leaders, one another, and the public — including kids of all

ages — to implement best practices right where they live

and work. These champions update Mission Blue to share

stories of their efforts and amplify their achievements.

13

Growth of Hope Spots

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

140

130

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

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“ THE BOT TOM LINE ANSWER

TO THE QU E STION ABOUT WHY

B IODIVERSIT Y MAT TERS IS FAIRLY

S IMPLE: THE RE ST OF THE L IVING

WORLD C AN G ET ALONG

WITHOUT US , BUT WE C AN ’T G ET

ALONG WITHOUT THEM .”

J E L LY F I S H L A K E — O N G E I M ’ L T K E TAU , KO R O R , PA L AU

© K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

D R . S Y LV I A E A R L E

MISSION BLUE HOPE SPOTS — HIGHLIGHTS

AR2019

page 16 ›

COCOS — GALÁPAGOS SWIMWAY

What could become one of the first binational marine pro-

tected areas in the world has been declared a Hope Spot.

This initiative connects the UNESCO biosphere reserves of

two countries, Costa Rica & Ecuador, highlighting the need

to implement cutting-edge solutions to protect migratory

species, such as sea turtles and sharks in the Eastern

Tropical Pacific.

page 19 ›

ARGYLL COAST & ISLANDS, SCOTLAND

The first-ever Hope Spot on mainland United Kingdom

sheds light on the immense beauty, rich history, and

vibrant life along Scotland’s west coast. Four community

networks have banded together under the Coastal

Communities Network, Scotland, to raise community

awareness of the need to encourage protection of

Scotland’s unique marine ecosystems.

page 22 ›

TETIAROA ATOLL, FRENCH POLYNESIA

Tetiaroa Atoll is a secluded circular island in the South

Pacific that serves as a refuge for nesting green sea turtles

and a variety of seabird species. This stunning atoll is

surrounded by a healthy and ecologically important coral

reef and a brilliant turquoise lagoon.

15

HIGHLIGHT: COCOS — GALÁPAGOS SWIMWAY

AR2019

What could become one of the

first binational marine protected

areas in the world has been

declared a Mission Blue Hope Spot.

This initiative connects the UNESCO biosphere reserves of

two countries, Costa Rica & Ecuador, highlighting the need

to implement cutting-edge solutions to protect migratory

species, such as sea turtles and sharks in the Eastern

Tropical Pacific. International collaboration is essential to

protect migratory species that travel across borders.

Migratory species travel in between the Galápagos and

Cocos marine reserves. They are protected in the reserves,

however they are threatened by industrial fishing, poach-

ing, and bycatch while traveling between the reserves.

Hope Spot Champion Todd Steiner, executive director of Turtle Island Restoration Network:

“This advances our thinking about how to protect highly

endangered migratory species which do not stay put in a

single locale like the Galápagos or Cocos marine reserves.

By expanding these marine protected areas and actively

working with the governments of Costa Rica and Ecuador

along with several additional partners to create the first

bilateral agreement, we will allow endangered species to

migrate safely outside the small marine protected areas

and connect two sovereign nation’s marine national parks,

something we hope will be a blueprint that is copied

across the globe.”

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J OA K I M O D E L B E R G , D R . A L E X H E A R N , A N D H O P E S P OT C H A M P I O N TO D D S T E I N E R . © T U R T L E I S L A N D R E S TO R AT I O N N E T WO R K

Galápagos

Cocos

Malpelo

Ecuador

PanamaCosta Rica

COCOS — GALÁPAGOS SWIMWAY CONTINUED

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Dr. Sylvia Earle’s first impressions in the Galápagos were vivid:

“I had an opportunity to meet sharks in the Galápagos in

1966. I thought I had found the ‘sharkiest’ place on the

planet, it’s this magical place that clearly was important

not just for sharks, but for a rich diversity of life.

In 1972, I had the opportunity to visit Cocos Island.

In between those islands, there’s a lot of water.

We must consider the creatures that occupy this liquid

space that we call the ocean and realize that if we were

to protect them, it’s not good enough that Cocos and

Galápagos have an area of a safe haven around them.

What about the space in between?

That has to be protected too.”

S E A T U R T L E S © S H M U L I K B L U M , U N D E R S E A H U N T E R

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H A M M E R H E A D S H A R K © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

D R . S Y LV I A E A R L E D I V E S D E E P I N T H E D E E P S E E S U B , E X P LO R I N G T H E WAT E R S O F CO CO S I S L A N D

© K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

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“ THIS ADVANCE S OU R THINKING ABOUT HOW

TO PROTEC T H IG HLY ENDANG ERED MIG R ATORY SPECIE S

WHICH DO NOT STAY PUT IN A S ING LE LOC ALE L IKE

THE GAL ÁPAGOS OR COCOS MARINE RE SERVE S”

TO D D S T E I N E R , E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R

T U R T L E I S L A N D R E S TO R AT I O N N E T WO R K

S I L K Y S H A R K S (C A R C H A R H I N U S FA LC I FO R M I S )

A N D OT H E R S P E C I E S , AC T I V E LY F E E D I N G I N T H E WAT E R S

O F F CO CO S I S L A N D © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

HIGHLIGHT: ARGYLL COAST & ISLANDS, SCOTLAND

AR2019

The first-ever Hope Spot on

mainland United Kingdom sheds

light on the immense beauty,

rich history, and vibrant life along

Scotland’s west coast.

Four community networks have banded together under

the Coastal Communities Network, Scotland, to raise

community awareness of the need to encourage protection

of Scotland’s unique marine ecosystems.

The strikingly diverse landscape of the west coast of

Scotland is one of a storybook come to life. Imagine idyllic,

rolling green hills, cut with streams of clear water carving

a path over rocks blanketed in tufts of spongy moss.

Plunging beneath the surface, shipwrecks lie preserved,

their presence a reminder of the inextricable link between

the sea and our maritime heritage. Many of these sites

have become artificial reefs full of marine life and now

serve as windows into the past.

United Kingdom

Argyll Coast & Islands

Ireland

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S H I P W R E C K S O U N D O F M U L L © U D O VA N D O N G E N

A G R O U P O F YO U N G P E O P L E A P P R E C I AT E S T H E WO N D E R S O F O N E O F T H E I R LO C A L M A R I N E P R OT E C T E D A R E A S . T H E LO C H S W E E N M PA , A R G Y L L COA S T A N D I S L A N D S © J O H N A I TC H I S O N

ARGYLL COAST & ISLANDS, SCOTLAND CONTINUED

AR2019

There is an abundance of marine biodiversity within these

waters, which has sustained the lives of those on land for

thousands of years.

Such areas are rare in today’s

world, and the Argyll Coast and

Islands Hope Spot deserves to be

celebrated as well as protected

from unsustainable practices.

West Scotland’s waters are home to dolphins, whales, seals,

otters, birds, and the critically endangered flapper skate.

”We want to encourage our coastal communities to be

more engaged and aware of what is happening just off

their shores. The more people get to know and under-

stand the wonders of this marine ecosystem, the more

likely they will care about how it is looked after, and

what factors can impact the success of future protection

and restoration of this unique and finite resource.

The community groups that have come together and

immersed themselves in the conservation of Scotland’s

west coast marine ecosystems are proof that we can

make a difference in local communities that create ripples

across the world.

Taking care of the local marine environment will ensure

the sustainable future of the ocean, and the right

framework is in place to make it happen.

We just have to take the plunge.” — Annabel Lawrence

Colonsay

Isle of Jura

Isle of Mull

Islay

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CO R M O R A N T A N D S H AG S S O U N D O F J U R A © P H I L LI P P R I C E

A FL APPER SK ATE EGG CASE , AL SO KNOWN AS A MERMAID’S P U R S E , I S T H E L A R G E S T I N T H E WO R L D. © P H I L L I P P R I C E

AR2019

“ TAKING C ARE OF THE LOC AL MARINE ENVIRONMENT WILL ENSU RE THE SUSTAINABLE FUTU RE

OF THE OCE AN , AND THE R IG HT FR AME WORK IS IN PL ACE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN . WE J UST HAVE

TO TAKE THE PLU NG E .”

AN NAB EL L AWRENCE , HOPE SP OT CHAM PION

G R E Y S E A L P U P W E S T COA S T O F S COT L A N D

© J O H N A I TC H I S O N

HIGHLIGHT: TETIAROA ATOLL, FRENCH POLYNESIA

AR2019

Tetiaroa Atoll is a secluded circular

island in the South Pacific that

serves as a refuge for nesting

green sea turtles and a variety

of seabird species.

This stunning atoll is surrounded by a healthy and ecologi-

cally important coral reef and a brilliant turquoise lagoon.

Unfortunately, like other atolls around the tropics, Tetiaroa

and the coral reefs that support it are at serious risk due

to the negative effects of climate change and resource

misuse — but there is hope.

Mission Blue has declared Tetiaroa Atoll a Hope Spot

in support of Tetiaroa Society’s goal of establishing full

protection for the island from a ground-up, grassroots

approach and in support of the region’s long term

sea turtle nesting program on the atoll.

Tetiaroa

Tahiti

Mo’orea

Huahine

Taha’a

Bora Bora

Taiatea

Tupai

Maupiti

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T E N -Y E A R O L D PA P E H AU F R O M TA H I T I WATC H E S A N E N DA N G E R E D B A BY G R E E N S E A T U R T L E O N I T S WAY TO T H E L AG O O N . © T E T I A R OA S O C I E T Y

“We need to do everything in

our power to protect and restore

places like Tetiaroa Atoll as if

our lives depend on it, because

they do. The time is now to do

what we can to continue

to conserve this special place — 

hope for the world’s atolls

and reefs.” — Dr. Sylvia Earle

TETIAROA ATOLL, FRENCH POLYNESIA CONTINUED

AR2019

To investigate these ongoing

threats, Tetiaroa Society operates

a research station on the island,

hosting researchers from all over

the world.

Research and conservation programs include habitat

restoration, shark ecology, archaeology, coral reef

restoration, traditional fisheries management, and ocean

acidification modeling.

Nonprofit group “Te mana o te Moana” launched the Sea

Turtle Monitoring and Research Program on Tetiaroa in

2007. With more than 12 years of data, the sea turtle

program has been a great success with over 1,500 nests

inventoried and protected. This dedicated research

program also studies the effects of climate change and

predators on nesting success.

“I met Sylvia Earle over 20 years ago. Since that day, her

words have strengthened my conviction for immediate

action towards protecting our oceans.”

— Dr. Cécile Gaspar

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D R . C É CI L E G A S PA R CO L L E C TI N G DATA F R O M S E A T U R T L E S © T E TI A R OA S O CI E T Y

BA BY G R E E N S E A T U R T L E © A L E X I S R O S E N F E L D

M O O R E A S T U D E N T S AT B I R D I S L A N D © T E T I A R OA S O C I E T Y

AR2019

“ I MET DR . SYLVIA E ARLE OVER 20 YE ARS AGO. S INCE THAT DAY,

HER WORDS HAVE STRENGTHENED MY CONVIC TION FOR

IMMEDIATE AC TION TOWARDS PROTEC TING OU R OCE ANS .” D R . C É C I L E G A S PA R ,

T E T I A R OA ATO L L H O P E S P OT C H A M P I O N

A E R I A L V I E W O F T E T I A R OA © T I M M C K E N N A

EXPEDITION PROGRAM — EXPLORING HOPE SPOTS

AR2019

Since 2010, Mission Blue has

embarked on 30 expeditions

to explore and document

Hope Spots around the world.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours filming undersea research

projects and supporting conservation programs critical

to the health of the ocean, both in areas of abundant

biodiversity and also those suffering from challenging 

— sometimes devastating — environmental issues.

In 2019 we embarked upon some of our most successful

Hope Spots expeditions to date. Working with our global

partners we visited Malpelo Island, the Galápagos Islands,

and the Gulf of California.

Our team collectively spent over 575 hours underwater

with conservation leaders, scientists, and donors.

During our expeditions, we meet with government and

community leaders, documented science projects,

and co-hosted important community events.

M I S S I O N B L U E E X P E D I T I O N S S I N C E 2 0 0 9

2009 Mayan Riviera Hope Spot Holbox Expedition

2009 Galápagos Islands Mission Blue Voyage

2009 Eastern Tropical Pacific Hope Spot Cocos Island Expedition I

2010 Gardens of the Queens Hope Spot Cuba Expedition I

2010 Mesoamerican Reef Hope Spot Mesoamerican Reef Expedition

2011 Swan Islands, Honduras Swan Islands

2012 Gardens of the Queen Hope Spot Cuba Expedition II

2012 Bahamian Reefs Hope Spot Exuma Cays Expedition

2012 Eastern Pacific Seascape Hope Spot Coiba Expedition

2014 Eastern Pacific Seascape Hope Spot Playa Grande Expedition

2014 South African Hope Spots South Africa Expedition

2014 Gulf of California Hope Spot Gulf of California Expedition I

2015 Gulf of California Hope Spot Gulf of California Expedition II

2015 Cashes Ledge Hope Spot Cashes Ledge Expedition

2015 Coral Triangle Hope Spot Mission Blue Voyage II

2016 Balearic Islands Hope Spot Balearic Islands Expedition

2017 Gulf of California Hope Spot Gulf of California Expedition III

2017 Balearic Islands Hope Spot Balearic Islands Expedition II

2017 Revillagigedo Archipelago Hope Spot Revillagigedo Archipelago Expedition

2017 Central American Dome Hope Spot Costa Rica Thermal Dome Expedition

2017 Eastern Tropical Pacific Hope Spot Cocos Island Expedition II

2017 Balearic Islands Hope Spot Balearic Islands Expedition III

2018 Gulf of California Hope Spot Gulf of California Expedition IV

2018 Spitsbergen Island Hope Spot Spitsbergen Expedition

2018 Micronesian Islands Hope Spot Palau Expedition

2019 Gulf of California Hope Spot Gulf of California Expedition V

2019 Malpelo Island Hope Spot Malpelo Island Expedition

2019 Eastern Pacific Seascape Hope Spot Galápagos Islands Expedition

2020 Outer Seychelles Seychelles Expedition with BBC

2020 Chiloé National Park Expansion Northern Patagonia, Chile

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M A L P E LO I S L A N D, CO LO M B I A G A L Á PAG O S I S L A N D S , E C UA D O R G U L F O F C A L I FO R N I A , M E X I CO © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

EXPEDITION PROGRAM — EXPLORING HOPE SPOTS CONTINUED

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On each of our expeditions,

we develop stories that we

share with the world through

our digital channels.

Showcasing the work of our partners, scientists, and

Hope Spot champions, we spotlight remarkable coastal

and undersea life, inspiring the public to care and act

to protect these precious habitats.

Our very existence depends

on the ocean.

Dr. Earle is first and foremost an ocean explorer. Her ocean

exploration began when she led a team of five aquanauts,

the first-ever group of women divers, to live underwater

for two weeks in a Harvard University scientific study.

To date, she has spent 7,000 hours underwater, her favorite

place on the planet. In addition, she has led more than

100 ocean expeditions all over the world. She has been a

pioneer and advocate for ocean research her entire career.

Sylvia has always believed that to know is to care, and

without knowing enough about the ocean, it’s difficult

to understand how inextricably linked we are to the vital

processes of Earth’s Blue Heart. Our very existence

depends on the ocean.

It’s no wonder exploration is at the core of all Mission Blue

Hope Spot expeditions, fostering meaningful partnerships,

building community support for marine conservation,

and creating global awareness.

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M I S S I O N B L U E E X P E D I T I O N T E A M P H OTO S E S S I O N , S P I T S B E R G E N H O P E S P OT, N O RWAY © C A R L L U N D I N , I U C N

EXPEDITION PROGRAM 

MI S

S I O N B L UE™

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EXPL

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FUND SCIENTIFIC RESEAR

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ENGAGE IN LOCAL COM

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CREATE FILMS TO ADVANCE OCEAN LITERACY

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“ E VEN NOW, LE SS THAN TEN PERCENT OF THE OCE AN

HA S BEEN SEEN , LET ALONE E XPLORED OR E VEN

MAPPED WITH THE SAME PRECIS ION WE HAVE

MAPPED THE L AND, THE MOON , MARS OR J U PITER .”

D R . S Y LV I A E A R L E

A M E LT I N G I C E B E R G F LOAT S I N T H E A R C T I C WAT E R S O F

S P I T S B E R G E N I S L A N D H O P E S P OT © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

2019 EXPEDITIONS — MALPELO ISLAND, COLOMBIA

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Malpelo is a small volcanic island

located about 304 miles from

Buenaventura Port, Colombia,

and has bathymetry that descends

to 13.000 feet underwater.

Although the island boasts a size of only 0.5 square miles,

its surrounding waters are home to what is considered

one of the most important coral formations in the Colom-

bian Pacific. In 1995, The Colombian National Government

declared Malpelo a Marine Protected Area, making it a

protected oceanic area in the Colombian Pacific providing

hope to existing and future generations.

Home to one of the world’s largest shark populations,

Malpelo became a Hope Spot in 2016.

Mission Blue coordinated an expedition in 2019 with

Hope Spot Champion and scientist Sandra Bessudo of

the Malpelo Foundation. Together with Malpelo National

Park, Conservation International Colombia, MigraMar,

and The Baum Foundation, they were able to investigate

and document this remote unpopulated island teeming

with life below the surface.

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S C I E N T I S T S A N D R A B E S S U D O © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

✔ A combined 184 dive hours by the expedition

team members that collected data, and filmed

habitats, and studied shark populations.

✔ Interviews with scientists, National Park

managers, and conservation leaders.

✔ Three written blogs and a video story about

the importance of Malpelo and Dr. Earle’s

Global Hope Spot efforts.

✔ Mission Blue’s Malpelo media content during

this expedition attracted 2 million viewers.

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MALPELO ISLAND, COLOMBIA CONTINUED

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The team conducted fish surveys, documented new

discoveries, and attached satellite and acoustic trans-

mitters to sharks. Researchers worked collectively to add

data to the Migramar database, which aims to identify

key migratory corridors.

Media content from the expedition

allowed two million viewers

to discover the magic of Malpelo.

Researchers believe that sharks commute among

seamounts and other Hope Spots including Cocos Island, Galápagos Islands, and the Revillagigedo Islands,

all of which Mission Blue has explored.

By understanding the patterns of these essential ocean

predators, we can begin to protect them and the ocean’s

threatened food chain from further degradation.

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E X P E D I T I O N T E A M P H OTO © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E S I LV E R T I P S H A R K © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

S C H O O L I N G S N A P P E R F I S H © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

M AU R I C I O H OYO © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

The Malpelo Island expedition was made possible by:

Glenn Bucksbaum, The Baum Foundation, The Malpelo Foundation, Conservation International Colombia, and MigraMar.

The Equipment Sponsors: Scuba Pro, Paralens, and Light & Motion.

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M A L P E LO I S L A N D, CO LO M B I A © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

2019 EXPEDITIONS — GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR

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The 2019 Galápagos Expedition

explored vastly diverse areas

of the archipelago.

We negotiated permits and security clearance for the

research mothership Argo and the DeepSee submersible

to allow exploration of critical habitats beyond diver depth.

We used the submersible to obtain deep water kelp

samples with scientist Salome Buglass and Dr. Earle.

The team performed genetic testing on a newly-discovered

species of deep-sea kelp, which plays a crucial role in the

region’s ecosystem.

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S CI E N TI S T SA LO M E B U G L A S S A N D D R . E A R L E W IT H D E E P WAT E R K E L P SA M P L E S

CO L L E C T E D U N D E R P E R M IT. © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B LU E

✔ Interviews with scientists, National Park managers, and conservation leaders.

✔ Submersible transects and exploration dives included nearly 40 hours of

dive time in multiple areas, provided access to unexplored areas for fish,

shark and kelp forest populations. Valuable data collected from deployed

transmitters and submersible transects in kelp zones.

✔ A combined 250+ scuba dive hours by the expedition team.

✔ Hosted an outreach event for 350 community members, including the Navy,

National Park, Charles Darwin Foundation and many other organizations.

✔ Fisk Johnson’s microplastic video from this expedition garnered millions

of Twitter views.

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GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS, ECUADOR CONTINUED

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The Galápagos Hope Spot sup-

ports some of the highest known

fish biomass and the greatest

abundance of sharks in the world.

Dr. Alex Hearn and Hope Spot Champion Manuel “Manolo”

Yepez conducted studies to identify, count and tag whale

sharks. In partnership with MigraMar, this information is

being used to learn more about the movement of sharks

in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

A community event was held at a local civic center on

Santa Cruz Island with over 350 attendees, where the

Hope Spot team shared the goals of the expedition and

the importance of strengthening conservation efforts

amid ongoing threats.

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M OT H E R S H I P A R G O A N D 3 3 3 M D E E P S E E S U B M E R S I B L E © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B LU E D R . E A R L E M E E T S W I T H LO C A L S A F T E R T H E E X P E D I T I O N CO M M U N I T Y E V E N T

© A M A N DA TOW N S E L , M I S S I O N B L U E

The Galápagos Islands expedition was made possible by:

Seth Casden, Fisk Johnson (SC Johnson), Carol Hampf and the UnderSea Hunter crew.

The Equipment Sponsors: ScubaPro and Light & Motion.

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G A L Á PAG O S I S L A N D S , E C UA D O R

© K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

2019 EXPEDITIONS — GULF OF CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

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The Gulf of California Hope Spot is

a 700-mile long narrow sea nestled

between Baja and mainland

Mexico and is one of the world’s

richest and youngest seas.

The Gulf is home to more than 800 species of fish,

2,000 invertebrates, as well as whales, dolphins, sea turtles,

sea lions, and the critically endangered vaquita porpoise.

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C R OW N O F T H O R N S © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

S H A R I S A N T P L U M M E R , D R . S Y LV I A E A R L E A N D D R . JA M E S K E TC H U M E X A M I N E S E V E R A L D E A D S H A R K S AT V I L L A LO S F R A I L E S I N C A B O P U L M O N AT I O N A L PA R K © K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

✔ Raised $50,000 for local shark conservation

efforts.

✔ Co-hosted Shark conservation and

MPA conference in La Paz.

✔ Continued to meet and interview stakeholders

in Baja’s shark fishery.

✔ Continued to support our Mexican partners.

✔ Completed blogs, videos and other media

content to educate the public about shark

conservation challenges in Mexico.

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GULF OF CALIFORNIA, MEXICO CONTINUED

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Mission Blue reunited with the Mexican conservation

community and scientists from Pelagios Kakunjá on an

expedition to document important shark congregation

areas and active shark-fishing operations in this spectacular

Hope Spot.

We also co-hosted the 2nd Gulf of California Shark confer-

ence in La Paz, Baja California to bring together fishermen,

tour operators, conservation leaders, government officials,

and scientists to discuss the challenges facing shark

populations and to analyze the merits of creating MPAs

for the Las Animas and El Bajo areas.

Mexican decision-makers are now becoming more aware

of the critical importance of protecting ocean wildlife

within migratory corridors.

Dr. Earle received a presidential invitation to celebrate

the expansion of the Revillagigedo Marine Park, a key

stopover in this migratory corridor, and also one of the

Mission Blue Hope Spots.

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O R G A N I Z E R S FO R T H E P E L AG I O S K A K U N JA A N D M I S S I O N B L U E S H A R K CO N S E RVAT I O N CO N F E R E N C E I N L A PA Z , B A JA C A L I FO R N I A , M E X I CO © B R E T T LOV E M A N , M I S S I O N B L U E

D R . E A R LE S PE A K S AT TH E I N AU G U R ATI O N O F R E VI LL AG I G E D O M A R I N E N ATI O N A L PA R K

The Gulf of California expedition was made possible by:

The Paradise Foundation, The Marisla Fondation, and The Baum Foundation.

Equipment Sponsors: Scuba Pro, Paralens, Gates Housing, and Light & Motion.

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COA S T L I N E N E A R L A PA Z , G U L F O F C A L I FO R N I A , M E X I CO

© K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

FUTURE MISSION BLUE EXPEDITIONS

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Pending international travel restrictions, we hope to

embark on an expedition to the Chilean Fjords in 2020

with our conservation partners at PEW.

These threatened coastal ecosystems are among the most

active areas of the biosphere, exchanging matter and

energy with the open ocean across continental slopes.

Planning is also underway for an expedition to Cuba

in 2021 with our partners at PADI.

Other expeditions currently under consideration include

the Northwest Passage, Antarctic Peninsula, Seychelles,

Greenland, and the Canary Islands.

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Revenues 2019

Grants $ 8,616

Contributions $ 1,631,534

Program $ 251,833

Other $ 11,020

Total Revenue $ 1,903,003

Prior Years’ Funds for 2019 $ 356,288

Total Support & Revenue $ 2,259,291

Expenses 2019

Program $ 1,083,075

Management & General $ 219,674

Fundraising $ 243,966

Total Expenses $ 1,546,715

FINANCIAL REPORTY E A R E N D I N G D E C E M B E R 3 1 , 2 0 1 9 ( U N AU D I T E D)

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70% Program

16% Fundraising

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0.4% Grants 14% Management & General

0.6% Other

13% Program

86% Contributions

PARTNERSHIPS — KEY TO OUR SUCCESS

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Mission Blue relies on the strength

of our partnerships in everything

we do — and now there are

over 200 Alliance Partners in

the Mission Blue family — and

the number continues to grow.

The global community is quickly waking up to the critical

state of the environment, and government leaders and

corporations are eager to become leaders in the quest to

make a difference.

With NGO partners such as IUCN, we hold a respected

space on the world stage where Dr. Earle’s voice and

mission are heard, loud and clear, among hundreds of

millions of people every year.

From large multinationals to barebones scientific teams,

Mission Blue’s partnership network unites a spectrum

of non-profit, for-profit, and public interests, all under

the common goal of restoring the blue heart of the planet

through a global network of Hope Spots.

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OUR DISTINGUISHED SUPPORTERS — THANK YOU !

TED Ideas worthspreading

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41

THE YEAR 2019 IN THE LIFE OF HER DEEPNESS

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Dr. Earle continues to advance awareness around urgency

for ocean protection along with solutions to prevent

an irreversible global environmental crisis. Her work

throughout the year inspired millions to take action.

We have a lot of work to do to keep up with her boundless

energy and relentless work ethic. A quick look at her

jam-packed schedule of events gives a window into the

life of a dedicated ocean hero.

Throughout the year, Dr. Earle gave more than 100 talks

in 15 countries and 16 U.S. states and presentations at

dozens of conferences including the National Geographic

Explorers Week, the Bloomberg Economic Forum in NY,

the Ocean Summit on Necker Island, the COP25 Climate

Conference in Madrid, Spain, the Lisbon Peace Conference,

the UBS Conference in London, the Earth Observatory at

NTU in Singapore, and with Ocean Geographic in Beijing,

Shanghai, and Chengdu, China.

Dr. Earle received 9 distinguished awards and 2 honorary

degrees which now total 33, she was profiled by PBS

and National Geographic in their “Woman of Impact”

campaign, and she was published in 9 journals.

Dr. Earle’s most recent publication “Extreme Ocean” takes

kids on a journey through the ocean’s depths, where they

can discover some of the

most outrageous aspects

of the deep blue, along with

current ocean conservation

challenges and what they

can do to help.

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Mission Blue is forever indebted to

our intrepid founder, Dr. Sylvia Earle.

© TO D D B R OW N

P R E S I D E N T S E B A S T I Á N P I Ñ E R A , S E Ñ O R A P I Ñ E R A ,

D R . L A M Y PA S C A L , A N D FO R M E R CO S TA R I C A N

P R E S I D E N T J O S E M A R I A F I G U E R A S AT T H E C H I L E A N

A N TA R C T I C A S TAT I O N .

THE NEXT DECADE: DIVING INTO THE FUTURE

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The Laws of Nature govern climate, weather, temperature,

and other factors that shoulder the stability of Ecosystem

Earth and therefore our existence in an otherwise

extremely hostile universe. We can see, smell, hear,

touch, and taste the consequences of complacency and

indifference.

As we look together into the next decade, despite the

continuing decline of the ocean due to climate change,

oxygen depletion, overfishing, plastic pollution, habitat

loss, and the alarming loss of species, we still have hope.

We have built a foundation of partners and created a

powerful ring of Hope Spots around the world. Mission Blue

empowers individuals, communities, and other stakeholders

to take action in ocean protection.

Mission Blue has been ready since its inception to scale

up our Hope Spots Program. Our goal is to build further

capacity and leverage our incredible progress over the

past decade, together with our global partners, and

realize a truly meaningful increase in ocean protection

for the planet: 30% ocean protection by 2030.

Now is the time to act to reverse the damage brought

about by those who have exceeded the limits of what

natural systems can yield. A viable world for humankind

requires a viable world for the natural systems that

underpin our existence. We cannot return to a world as

it was eons ago, but decisions taken now will determine

how habitable the planet will be ten as well as 10,000 years

in the future.

Mission Blue is answering the call to use all means

necessary to create a network of global marine protected

areas — Hope Spots — large enough to restore and

save the ocean, the blue heart of the planet, for future

generations.

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When pondering the fate of our planet,

we have the power of choice.

We can choose to assist in its restoration,

or we can stand by and let

natural systems decline.

Now, as never before,

the world needs a network of Hope.

Maybe, as never again.

MISSION BLUE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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EMERITUSJenifer Austin

Gigi Brisson

Meg Caldwell

Erik Gordon

John Hanke

Daryl Hannah

Michael Holland

Ann Hurley

Ann K. Luskey

Greg MacGillivray

Jim Toomey

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Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., President and Chairman

Shari Sant Plummer Dan Laffoley, Ph.D. Shannon O’Leary Joy Carl Gustaf Lundin Robert Nixon

Linda Glover Sharon Kwok John Vermilye Will Travis Phyl Clempson Gabrielle McGee

HOPE SPOT SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COUNCIL

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EMERITUS William Kostka

Dr. Claudio Campagna

Sabine Jessen

Dr. David Obura

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Dr. Sylvia Earle Dan Laffoley, Ph.D. Carl Gustaf Lundin Kathy Walls

Dr. Ameer Abdulla Dr. Sebastian Troëng Dr. Arthur Tuda

Rili Djohani Sandra Bessudo Kristina Gjerde Dr. Lance Morgan

MISSION BLUE STAFF

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Sylvia Earle, Ph.D. Founder

Laura Cassiani Executive Director

Kip Evans Director of Expeditions & Photography

Deb Castellana Director of Strategic Partnerships

Avrah Baum Communications Strategist

Amanda Townsel Communications Consultant

Huntley Penniman Communications Consultant

Robin Metoxen Office Manager

Sean Malloy Digital Content Manager

Brett Loveman Director of Communications

Shannon Rake Hope Spots Program Manager

Susan RacanelliDirector of Development

Maximilian Bello Advisor, Global Ocean Policy

Courtney Mattison Special Projects Consultant

Carolina Dratva Development Consultant

Jonathan Knowles Science & Exploration Fellow

Charlotte Vick Advisor

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F I S K J O H N S O N , AV I K L A P F E R A N D

D R . S Y LV I A E A R L E D I V I N G W I T H T H E D E E P S E E S U B

G A L Á PAG O S I S L A N D S , E C UA D O R

© K I P E VA N S , M I S S I O N B L U E

“ THE NE X T FIVE YE ARS MAY

BE THE MOST IMPORTANT

IN THE NE X T TEN THOUSAND

FOR OU R PL ANET. THERE ARE

PLENT Y OF RE A SONS FOR

HOPE , YET E VERY DAY, DOORS

OF OPPORTU NIT Y CLOSE .

WE KNOW WHAT TO DO.

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.”

D R . S Y LV I A A . E A R L E

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We hope you will join us.

Mission Blue/Sylvia Earle AllianceP.O. Box 6882

Napa, California 94581(707) 492-6866mission-blue.org

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