Mission Blue (@mission_blue)

Happy Birthday Dr. Sylvia Earle! 🎉 For nearly nine decades, Dr. Earle has been tirelessly advocating for ocean protection. Today, join us in creating a blue wave of momentum! We challenge you to share your Mission Blue - how does Dr. Earle inspire you to safeguard the blue heart of the planet? Join the movement through the link in our bio. "There are plenty of reasons for hope, and that's what keeps me going." @dr.sylviaearle #HerDeepnessDay #SylviaEarle90th #HopeSpots #BlueHope #MyMissionBlue 🎥 edited by @seanmolloymedia, media by Sean Molloy, Taylor Griffith @510tay, Bob Nixon / Netflix, Bryce Groark, @kipevansphoto, Brett Loveman @cutcanvas, TED, SeaLegacy, Stan Waterman, Grant Brokensha, Deep Sea Productions, Ocean Missions, Olawalu Reef Hope Spot, Al Giddings, Tim Taylor, False Bay Hope Spot, Saba Bank Hope Spot, and Nick Neumann

What is a Hope Spot? Well, it's all in the name. Hope Spots are special places that are important to the health of the ocean - spots of hope! Across our significant international network, Hope Spots are championed by local conservationists whom Mission Blue supports with advocacy and resources. Through our network of Hope Spots, Mission Blue works with communities to create awareness around the importance of safeguarding and restoring ecosystems and calling for their protection through the creation of marine protected areas and other effective conservation measures. Hope Spots may encompass protected areas, or may be areas where protection is needed. By shining a spotlight on these extraordinary places, we can shift the tide from decline to recovery. 🎥 editing by Sean Molloy, footage and stills by Sean Molloy, Taylor Griffith, Sylvia Earle Personal Archive, Stan Waterman, Deep Sea Productions, Bryce Groark, Mission Blue Film / Bob Nixon / Netflix, TED, Brett Loveman, NJSEA-MRRI Agency, Grant Brokensha, Adriano Perna, Daniel Gonzalez, Matthew Hann, Ayumi Kuramae Izioka, Fair Seas, Franck Gazzola, Craig Parry, Cat Koppel, Cut Canvas, SEA Institute, Justin Blake, National Geographic, Saba Nature Education, Judith Weiss, and @kipevansphoto #HopeSpots #MissionBlue

"The ocean is the blue heart of the planet, the cornerstone of Earth’s life support system. Everyone, everywhere is connected to the ocean." @dr.sylviaearle This World Ocean Day, join us in appreciating and preserving the ocean by supporting our global network of Hope Spots through the link in our bio 🌊 🌎 🎥 edited by @seanmolloymedia , media provided in part by SeaLegacy #HopeSpots #WorldOceanDay #WorldOceanDay2025

Have you ever seen an albino shark? Here you can see the differences in pigmentation between an albino leopard shark (or zebra shark, depending on your preference) and one with "normal" pigmentation. In mammals, albinism is inherited from one's parents, affecting the body's production of melanin, which is the primary pigment determining the color of skin, hair, and eyes. Melanocytes - specialized cells that produce melanin - are present but not fully functional in albino mammals. In other animals, like sharks, albinism is still seen; however, affected animals may not be fully white, as they can make pigments other than melanin. All sorts of animals have been spotted exhibiting albinism - from birds to fish! 📍Exmouth Gulf and Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area Hope Spot 📸 Ben Fitzpatrick #HopeSpots #LeopardShark #ZebraShark

In honor of National Wildlife Day, we're sharing some of of our favorite wildlife photographs from Hope Spots around the world 📍Wotho Atoll Hope Spot 📸 Heather Miller 📍Jaeren Coast Hope Spot 📸 Erling Svensen 📍Humboldt Archipelago Hope Spot 📸 ExploraSub Films 📍Biological Marine Corridor of Osa Hope Spot 📸 Laura Vanopdenbosch 📍Ross Sea Hope Spot 📸 John Weller 📍Cocos Island Hope Spot 📸 Cristian Dimitrius 📍Exmouth Gulf and Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area Hope Spot 📸 Howard Chen #HopeSpots #NationalWildlifeDay #NoBlueNoGreen #WildlifeDay #OceanWildlife

We’re thrilled to share that #MyMissionBlue has already reached nearly 500K people around the globe — pledging, posting, and donating to celebrate Dr. Sylvia Earle’s 90th and protect the ocean for generations to come. What are you waiting for? 🌊 This movement is just getting started. Share your story, pledge your action, and be part of #MyMissionBlue. Inspired by Sylvia. Powered by you. Link in bio. 📸 Kip Evans @kipevansphoto

How can you help sea turtles? Worldwide, there are 5 major threats to sea turtle species. Let’s dive into these issues and how you can help: 🐢 Coastal development: With coastal development on the rise, as well as increased boat traffic, turtles’ habitats are affected, decreasing the availability of food and nesting areas. You can help by supporting turtle friendly tourism (eco-conscious and conservation-focused beachfront lodgings), minimizing lights on/near nesting beaches, and by keeping beaches trash free and filling in any holes! 🐢 Pollution and pathogens: Plastics, pollutants, chemical runoff, and other types of pollution can make turtles sick and entangle them. You can help by reducing the amount of trash and pollution you contribute to, choosing sustainable products over single-use ones, and contributing to beach cleanups! 🐢 Direct take: In many parts of the world, turtles are still harvested for food, oils, and decorative purposes. You can help by not consuming sea turtle products - tortoiseshell products are still made from the shells of hawksbills in many regions! 🐢 Climate change: Climate change has many harmful effects on sea turtles, including altering the natural sex ratios of hatchlings, altering food availability, and causing sea level rise and erosion. You can help by reducing your carbon footprint - try to reduce your energy consumption at home and try to make eco-friendly transportation choices when possible! 🐢 Fisheries bycatch: sea turtles get accidentally entangled and drown in fishing gear like longlines, gill nets, and trawls. 🎥Sea Legacy #SeaTurtles #SeaTurtleConservation #NoBlueNoGreen

Trade Secret - A gripping exposé of the polar bear fur trade, revealing how conservation, politics and commercial interests collide in ways the public was never meant to see. @tradesecretfilm will have its International Premiere at the Climate Film Festival in NYC Sept 21st and be opened by Dr Sylvia Earle. @climatefilmfestnyc Six years in the making - filmed across nine countries - Trade Secret pulls back the curtain on a hidden trade and the global forces sustaining it. This is the story of one of the planet’s most iconic species at the edge of survival. Momentum for the film continues to build, with new screenings, festivals and support soon to be announced. Our hope is that the film can be a force for good - sparking vital conversations and driving real improvements in the conservation of our planet’s most vulnerable species. Explore more at www.tradesecretfilm.com #TradeSecretFilm #PolarBear #Conservation #WildlifeFilm #Documentary #Polarbears

This year, we celebrate a living legend. Dr. Sylvia Earle—pioneer, explorer, protector—is 90. Her life’s work has inspired generations to fall in love with the ocean and fight for its future. But this isn’t just about a milestone. It’s a movement. - 15 years of Mission Blue - A global network of Hope Spots - A bold vision for 2030: Protect 30% of the ocean and inspire millions to act Join us in our new campaign: My Mission Blue: Inspired by Sylvia, Powered by You. Make a pledge. Share your voice. Create a legacy that lasts for lifetimes to come. We’re kicking things off by sharing 10 Ways to Celebrate with Sylvia — From Anywhere ✨🌊 How are you celebrating and showing up for the ocean? Tell us in the comments, and tag a friend to join the movement. #MyMissionBlue #SylviaEarle #HopeSpots #ProtectTheOcean

Happy Birthday, Sylvia! 🎉 Thank you for being an inspiration, thank you for the great moments we have shared in the Gulf of California Hope Spot 🌊🦈! — ¡Feliz cumpleaños, Sylvia 🎉! ¡Gracias por ser una inspiración, gracias por los grandes momentos que hemos compartido en el Punto de Esperanza del Golfo de California 🌊🦈! #SylviaEarle90th #HerDeepnessDay #MyMissionBlue #HopeSpots

Hoy queremos desearle el más bonito de los cumpleaños a nuestra más grande inspiración “Her deepness” @dr.sylviaearle 🧜🏼‍♀️ Por más años disfrutando y protegiendo el lugar que tanto ama. Esperamos algun día tener el honor de explorar las costas de Baja California junto a usted. @mission_blue 🌊🌵#porelocéano #sylviaearle #nobluenogreen #sylviaearle90th

Happy 90th birthday, @dr.sylviaearle!!! I hope you have had the most special day, on or in the ocean! Thank you for inspiring the world to use our voices for the ocean, to marvel at the wonder of the sea, and to advocate for all marine life, big and small. Thank you for exemplifying what it means to be a scientist that bridges the gap between science and policy, between science and action. You have made sure that the public and policy makers alike have heard the voice of the ocean through raising yours and have inspired millions to do the same along the way. Our team @leatherbackproject is proud to champion Mission Blue’s Pearl Islands Archipelago Hope Spot, a place acknowledged for its extraordinary importance and scientifically identified as critical to the health of the ocean. Working to protect it alongside @mission_blue has been especially meaningful for our team of young women, who are inspired by the path you’ve paved and your example of leading with courage, empathy, and determination. Your peaceful, steadfast determination, and empathetic, humble leadership has been truly effective in inspiring protections for the ocean. Thank you for your pioneering advocacy and tireless efforts. Thank you for always being so encouraging and kind over the years, making time to brainstorm no matter where we are. I’ve treasured each of our encounters and admire you deeply. Cheers to the ocean and Her Deepness! Love you to the bottom of the ocean and back! 🩵🌊 #SylviaEarle90th #HerDeepnessDay #MyMissionBlue #HopeSpots