To kick off our lesson, we’re going to dive into the idea of Hope Spots—special places in the ocean that are critical to the health of marine ecosystems. These areas are protected because of their incredible biodiversity, their importance to local communities, or because they’re under serious threat from human activities like pollution or overfishing.

But what makes a place worthy of being called a Hope Spot? How can protecting one small area make a difference in the larger ocean? That’s what we’re going to explore today.

ACTIVITY: EXPLORING HOPE SPOTS

Start by looking at a few Hope Spots from around the world. Using this map from Mission Blue’s website, take a few minutes to explore some of at least two unique locations.

Note: You can also find a complete list of Hope Spots at the bottom of the Mission Blue page, if you prefer!

  1. Why do you think each area was chosen for protection?
  2. What do these places have in common? How are they different?