Ocean Revolution Mozambique!

Exciting news has come out of the 3rd International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC 3): Dr. Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue and IUCN have launched 31 new Mission Blue Hope Spots across the globe to massively scale up the level of marine protection that experts consider necessary for a sustainable future.

And, two of them are in Mozambique!

The first, in the Quirimbas, has long been recognized for it's incredible wildness. The second, Machangulo in Maputo Bay is less obvious.

A Hope Spot is an area of ocean that merits special protection because of its wildlife and significant underwater habitats. Each Hope Spot can give the ocean a breathing space from human activities so that it may recover and flourish. Dr. Earle named these areas Hope Spots because they represent a real hope to restore the health of our imperiled ocean.

When Dr. Earle won the TED Prize in 2009, she implored ocean supporters “to use all means at your disposal – films, the web, expeditions, new submarines, a campaign! – to ignite public support for Hope Spots large enough to save and restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet.”

Today, that dream inches closer to reality as gathered ocean experts at the IMPAC 3 Congress are confronted with this boldest vision to protect the Earth’s Blue Heart, the shimmering global ocean that drives planetary chemistry and sustains all life on the planet.

We are fortunate to live in ‘a sweet spot in time.’ Now we know what is happening to our fragile blue planet and its ocean, and we also know what steps are needed to change the course we are on. With this message of hope, Mission Blue and IUCN are mobilizing a growing international community of stakeholders to take the urgent action needed to reverse the ocean’s current state of peril while we are still in this special sweet spot in time.

Ocean Revolution as partner of Mission Blue has championed the importance of Mozambique's unique marine resources since it began working in Inhambane Province in 2006.

On World Ocean Day this year, Ocean Revolution Director Tim Dykman and Bitonga Divers President Kudzi Guicome broadcast from Maputo on Mission Blue Radio about the important work needed in Mozambique.

Now, as we reach the final planning stages of a multi-year public/private collaboration with Machangulo Communities we find our voice has been heard.

Details of the Machangulo plan await approval from multiple stakeholder groups but, what is clear, is that recognition for the importance of the region has been claimed in an international arena.

Thanks to all of you who are part of this project for your love of our oceans. Thanks for devoting so much of your time and effort to our planet's life support system.

Special thanks for the recognition that the stewardship and care coastal communities can provide is critical for success. Those Communities need our support to link environmental and socio-economic health.

Details of the announcement, of Mission Blue and IMPAC are at the link below:

Two New Ocean HopeSpots Named in Mozambique