We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue has designated our 300,000-acre, privately-managed Misool Marine Reserve as a Mission Blue Hope Spot.
Led by Her Deepness Dr. Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue is uniting a global coalition to inspire an upwelling of public awareness, access, and support for a worldwide network of marine protected areas – Hope Spots.
The Misool Marine Reserve, in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, surrounds the private resort island of Misool. This is a protected area inside which all extractive practices are prohibited, including longlining and shark-finning. The area is patrolled by a 15-person, locally-staffed and salaried Ranger Patrol who are strategically positioned at 4 Ranger Stations. The team also uses radar surveillance, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) patrols, and works directly with the marine police.
In the last decade, our team have achieved some incredible conservation wins. Data shows that ecosystem health and biodiversity is increasing: fish biomass has increased on average of 250% over a six-year period. Anecdotal reports from scuba divers reveal that the diving conditions continue to improve year-on-year. Similarly, anecdotal reports from local fishermen working just outside the Misool Marine Reserve confirm higher catch rates.
You, our guests, friends and family, make this possible. By choosing to visit Misool, generously donating to Misool Foundation and supporting our vision, we have been able to achieve incredible things. Our growing tribe of supporters and ocean warriors fills us with hope.
Carry on reading to find out what Dr. Sylvia Earle and Misool Co-founder, Marit Miners, think about this announcement.
“Misool is a shining beacon of hope within the Coral Triangle,” commented Dr Earle. “The sheer abundance and diversity of life within the Misool Marine Reserve is unparalleled. Just over a decade ago this area was rife with shark-finners and longliners. The Misool Marine Reserve effectively transformed the region into a sanctuary for sharks, mantas and countless other species. The Misool Marine Reserve embodies the true meaning of a Hope Spot. The team’s steadfast commitment to protection is powered by a unique partnership of responsible tourism and marine conservation.”
“It is incredibly exciting to receive the news that the Misool Marine Reserve has been designated a Mission Blue Hope Spot,” said Misool Co-Founder Marit Miners. “This spectacularly beautiful region is very fragile, and we have to do everything in our power to protect it, for all life that depends on it now and for generations to come. We are humbled by Mission Blue’s stand with us to protect Misool’s marine treasures. None of this would have been possible without the support of our guests, our team and our partners. Most importantly, we acknowledge our unique partnership with our local stakeholders and our Ranger Patrol. Their foresight, support and continued vigilance has been key to protecting the world’s richest reefs.”
Do you want to know more about Misool’s unique marriage of conservation and tourism? Then take a look at the following article.
‘What do you get when profit and passion collide? A story of love, hope and the world’s richest reefs’.
