Sylvia A. Earle

We can help restore some of the damage that we've inflicted.

But there's nothing like a place that is still intact after the long history that preceded humankind.

There is hope.

Because around the world, people are doing what they can to restore what has happened to the coral reefs.

There are Mission Blue champions in 29 hope spots that are growing and planting corals to help restore the damage.

There is reason for hope.

In the Nusipanea hope spot, you can actually see the progression from a damaged reef after some time of care and then restoration to what looks pretty good as compared to where it started.

I'm working with champions who are helping to inspire protection for wild rivers and pathways in the sea, for manatees, turtles, fish, and whales.

Today, there are 169 hope spots in 116 countries.

Mangroves are being restored in 15 hope spots.

Seagrasses in 12.

Turtles are being monitored in 26 places, 30 for sharks and rays.

All of these places are creating awareness and enhanced protection.

I wish I could tell you about all of them because the stories are really cause for hope.

But let me just share a few.

Chile's coast and shoreline all shores were among Mission Blue's first hoof swats.

They're now a part of Chile's commitment to protect more than half of their ocean area.

When I first went there, we found one Fernandez fur seal, just one.

It was thought that they were really gone.

That was a cause for hope.