SeaLegacy

A week of hope for our ocean is underway at the 2023 meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and their scientific committee. At this forum for change, three marine protected area proposals that have the power to safeguard the region’s essential ecosystems await action. Leaders from around the globe convene at CCAMLR each year to assess the health of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, and consider the sustainable use and expansion of protections for the region. Its health relies directly on diplomacy from the 27 member nations, whose unanimous consent is required to implement or strip away protections since Antarctica lacks a native population or government of its own. At this 42nd meeting of the Commission, we hope to see the 30x30 commitment further actualized with the creation of marine protected areas. Additionally, prioritizing the conservation of krill and recognizing its invaluable service to our global ecosystem as both a priceless staple in the food chain and a significant natural carbon captor would extend benefits to our ocean beyond the region's frigid waters. Currently, krill populations face overfishing, but by establishing protected areas, specifically in the Antarctic Peninsula, their populations stand to flourish while continuing to bolster the health of our global ocean. Stay tuned for updates from CCAMLR throughout this week! Photos by @paulnicklen @mitty @andy_mann @antarcticsouthernocean @max_bello @porelmar_org @greenpeace @conservationorg @bluemarinefoundation @ifawglobal @mission_blue @pewenvironment @whalesorg @donabertarelli @fridaysforfuture @jovenesporelclimarg @latinasforclimate #protectantarctica #antarctica #penguins #penguin #blackandwhite #photography #nature #ocean #conservation #CCAMLR42 #ccamlr #YouthForAntarctica #MPAs #krill #southernocean

@natgeo's upcoming series "Photographer," from award-winning producers @chaivasarhelyi and @jimmychin, shifts the lens from the iconic imagery that has tethered every corner of our planet together for generations to the storytellers who wield the camera – including our co-founders @mitty and @paulnicklen! With National Geographic, the remote and unfamiliar become acknowledged, tangible, and understood through the lens of remarkable explorers. We’ve traveled thousands of miles with the traditional flip of a page, and the 197 million square miles of our Earth’s surface are capsulized into its 11x8 inch layout encircled by iconic yellow borders. Through the years, as magazines transformed into books, and feature-length films, and visuals on our personal devices, the explorers who capture the beauty and intricacies of planet Earth have remained at the helm of change. In this new series, the camera flips onto those who’ve alchemized action from imagery, and storytellers become the story. In their tenacious work navigating the globe to capture and amplify our ocean’s voice, Paul and Cristina weave an intricate picture of our interconnected planet, its health, and the urgent need to protect it. By “lowering the price of entry into the most important conversation we can have,” as Cristina says, the pair shine a cascading beacon of hope and opportunity for change onto countless viewers – generating waves of action for our planet. The new series captures their intention, approach, and unwavering dedication to rewilding our ocean despite any odds or risks. Stay tuned for more information from the “Photographer” series, premiering Winter 2024. Photos 1&3 by @paulnicklen Photos 2&4 by @mitty #polarbear #bear #husky #sleddog #surfing #hawaii #nature #ocean #conservation #nationalgeographic

We can bearly contain our excitement for today’s Species Spotlight Sunday! It’s only fair that we shower our grizzly bear stars with a grand farewell before they dig their dens and settle in for the harrowing winter months. From late June to September, the famed brown bears build up their fat reserves with an omnivorous diet consisting of plant roots, shoots, berries, mammals, fish, rodents, and, especially, fish. Once they’ve packed on the winter weight, the grizzlies retreat to a den of their own creation to wait out the cold. After their winter prep, these fat bears can weigh up to 900 lbs (410 kg). During their den time, female bears may give birth to young, who usually arrive in pairs! Other than a mother and her cubs, though, these predators are solitary creatures, who only bother to congregate when salmon is in abundance. To ensure other predators don’t encroach on their land, grizzly bears will mark their territory. You may have seen a grizzly wiggling and shaking up against a tree trunk, and while they may be tending to a hard-to-reach itch, they are also spreading their scent. To maintain their privacy, they may also scratch a tree, rub it, or bite a piece off of the trunk. A grizzly’s ideal environment lies far from development since their preferred home range can span up to 600 square miles (1555 km2). Through their expansive roaming, the grizzly benefits its environment by dispersing seeds, fertilizing the forest floor, and regulating their prey’s populations. Grizzly bears used to inhabit lands all the way from Alaska to Mexico, but since westward expansion decreased their habitats and introduced hunters, their range was reduced to just 2% of what it once was in the continental United States by the 1920s and 30s. Despite their previous population decline, though, the grizzly bear’s protection under the Endangered Species Act and the introduction of “recovery zones” helped the bear’s population recover and regain stability, with an estimated 1,400-1,700 individuals now in the region. Now that you’ve taken a paws to learn about the grizzly bear, test your knowledge in our Species Spotlight Sunday story quiz! 🎥 by @paulnicklen #bear #grizzly

Carbon captured by oceanic systems, such as seagrass meadows, kelp forests, and mangroves, is known as ‘blue carbon’. These productive habitats create something called a carbon sink, where they pull carbon from the atmosphere and sequester it, reducing its impact on our climate. Oceanic habitats like these sequester carbon at a much faster rate than their terrestrial counterparts, such as forests. Kelp forests, like those found in Patagonia, can store up to 20 times as much carbon per acre than forests on land! Their ability to rapidly sequester and hold onto carbon makes kelp forests a crucial piece in mitigating impacts from climate change. El carbono capturado por los ecosistemas oceánicos, como las praderas de pastos marinos, bosques de algas marinas y manglare , es conocido como ‘carbono azul’. Estos hábitats productivos crean algo conocido como “sumideros de carbono”, donde ellos absorben el carbono de la atmósfera y lo secuestran, reduciendo así su impacto en el clima. Los hábitats marinos como estos secuestran carbono a una velocidad mucho más rápida que sus contrapartes terrestres, como los bosques. Los bosques de kelp como los que se encuentran en la Patagonia chilena pueden almacenar hasta 20 veces más carbono por hectárea que los bosques en tierra! Su habilidad de capturar rápidamente y de contener el carbono hacen de los bosques de kelp esenciales para mitigar los impactos del cambio climático. Watch the newest episode of “A Sea of Hope” at the link in our bio! Video by @andy_mann and @samkretch @deepblue_patagonia @mission_blue @bluemarinefoundation @max_bello @maisarojas @mitty @paulnicklen @dr.sylviaearle @azulmarinofundacion @juanantonio.blue.earth @centro_ballena_azul @fundacion_terram @defendamos_chiloe @kikasilvas @gabrielboric @gobiernodechile @presidencia_cl @pearljam @mmachile @pangalandrade #kelp #patagonia #ocean #conservation #nature #photography #stem #science #climateaction #dolphin

Beneath the temperate surface of Chile’s South Pacific lies an underwater world bustling with unimaginable life. The nation’s kelp forests support countless ecological processes vital to the health of our ocean and are a key part of the blue carbon cycle–the process in which atmospheric carbon is stored in the ocean. Kelp is a type of seaweed or macroalgae that captures carbon through photosynthesis, much like vascular plants. Seaweed sequesters millions of tons of carbon globally each year, making it a vital solution to the escalating climate emergency. As we uncover more about the carbon-capturing power of seaweed like kelp, it has become increasingly clear that protecting these underwater forests is a crucial step in preserving our blue world. Visit the link in our bio to join @mission_blue, @deepblue_patagonia, @bluemarinefoundation, and PEW Charitable Trusts in @sealegacy‘s latest “A Sea of Hope” episode, "Blue Patagonia: Forests Beneath the Sea". Photos provided by @andy_mann and @samkretch at SeaLegacy. @mmachile @maisarojas @sealegacy @mission_blue @dr.sylviaearle @max_bello @andy_mann @paulnicklen @mitty @deepblue_patagonia @bluemarinefoundation @juanantonio.blue.earth @centro_ballena_azul @fundacion_terram @defendamos_chiloe @pearljam @gabrielboric @gobiernodechile @presidencia_cl #HopeSpots #30x30 #Chile #SeaLion #Patagonia #Ocean #Conservation #Nature #Photography #PatagoniadeChile #ConservacionMarina #AreasMarinasProtegidas #MarineProtectedAreas #BlueForests

Marine protected areas are a vital tool in safeguarding the blue heart of the planet. Highly and fully protected areas provide not only ecosystem benefits, but positive impacts for people and the planet. These protected areas restore ocean health, improve biodiversity, and allow fish populations and ecosystems to rebound. Yet, despite these advantages, less than 10% of the ocean is protected in anyway, and not even 3% is fully protected. Given the results and the hope that these strongly protected areas provide, governments and people are stepping up to increase ocean protections, racing towards a goal of 30% of highly and fully protected ocean before 2030. Las áreas marinas protegidas son una herramienta vital para resguardar el corazón azul del planeta. Áreas alta y completamente protegidas entregan no solo beneficios a los ecosistemas, sino que también tienen impactos positivos para las personas y el mundo. Estas áreas protegidas restauran la salud del océano, mejoran la biodiversidad, y permiten que las poblaciones de peces y sus entornos naturales puedan recuperarse. 
A pesar de ello, sólo el 10% del océano cuenta con algún tipo de protección y ni siquiera el 3% está completamente protegido. 
Debido a los buenos resultados y la esperanza que las áreas marinas protegidas entregan, los gobiernos y las personas están pronunciándosela para aumentar la protección del océano y así llegar a la meta de un 30% del mar alta y completamente protegido antes del 2030. Video by @andy_mann and @samkretch @deepblue_patagonia @mission_blue @bluemarinefoundation @max_bello @maisarojas @mitty @paulnicklen @dr.sylviaearle @azulmarinofundacion @juanantonio.blue.earth @centro_ballena_azul @fundacion_terram @defendamos_chiloe @kikasilvas @gabrielboric @gobiernodechile @presidencia_cl @pearljam @mmachile @pangalandrade #kelp #patagonia #ocean #conservation #nature #photography #stem #science #climateaction #whale

Diving into a healthy coral reef ecosystem reminds me of a bustling city caught up in the holiday festivities. Parades of brightly coloured fish stream past towering sculptures of purple, blue, and splashes of searing red. Over the last decade, however, a culmination of rising emissions, pollution, and an ocean-warming phenomenon known as El Niño, have transformed our seascapes. In coastal and island nations like French Polynesia, patches of once-bustling reefs have turned a ghostly white as corals succumb to bleaching. While El Niño by itself is considered a fairly normal part of climate variability, its impact has been exacerbated by the climate crisis. As a result, vulnerable animals like corals, which cannot escape to cooler depths, are at risk of dying off when El Niño occurs. Thankfully, scientists have already been working to increase resilience within corals against the pressures of a warming world — but they need our help. Follow @CoralGardeners to learn more about how you can help restore coral reefs and protect the future of our ocean. #coral #CoralReef #Photography #UnderwaterPhotography #FrenchPolynesia

When you slip below the surface of the Chilean Patagonian waters and enter the largest continuous kelp forest in the world, you’re greeted by an exuberant cast of creatures. Among the endearing and plentiful residents that find their home among the swaying stalks, we encounter the brilliant, elusive octopus. Today we celebrate #WorldOctopusDay and revel in the awe and mystery that surrounds one of our ocean’s most iconic sea animals. These intelligent invertebrates master the art of disguise. They camouflage their color and texture to match their surroundings, even mimicking other creatures to evade predators or capture prey with ease. An octopus’s network of pigment cells, called chromatophores, allow them to change colors within milliseconds. They also posses texture-changing papillae that render the extraordinary creature nearly invisible. But in the latest episode of “A Sea of Hope,” our team captured an octopus on the move! Visit the link in our bio to swim alongside the sensational cephalopod and other lively animals that inhabit the blue waters of Patagonia! Video by @andy_mann and @samkretch @deepblue_patagonia @mission_blue @bluemarinefoundation @max_bello @maisarojas @mitty @paulnicklen @dr.sylviaearle @azulmarinofundacion @juanantonio.blue.earth @centro_ballena_azul @fundacion_terram @defendamos_chiloe @kikasilvas @gabrielboric @gobiernodechile @presidencia_cl @pearljam @mmachile #patagonia #kelp #kelpforest #nature #ocean #conservation #science #storytelling #photography #sealion #animal #octopus

Shattering the glassy reflection of Chilean Patagonia’s famous peaks with an expanding ripple, our team dives in to uncover a pristine kelp forest ecosystem hidden in the region’s icy foothill waters in the latest episode of “A Sea of Hope.” Below the surface, life abounds with kelp’s ecosystem engineering to thank for their grand assembly. Here, the smallest invertebrates to impressive megafauna find a use for the versatile algae, from food to shelter and beyond. But even though humans don’t often find themselves weaving through this towering forest beneath the waves, like our team and partners do in the newest episode, we, too, reap benefits from the power of kelp. The remarkable underwater forests produce oxygen, provide economic support to coastal communities, and capture and store carbon– helping us mitigate the effects of climate change. Dive in with us into this bustling, productive powerhouse ecosystem in “Blue Patagonia: Forest Beneath the Sea,” by visiting the link in our bio! Video by @andy_mann and @samkretch @deepblue_patagonia @mission_blue @bluemarinefoundation @max_bello @maisarojas @mitty @paulnicklen @dr.sylviaearle @azulmarinofundacion @juanantonio.blue.earth @centro_ballena_azul @fundacion_terram @defendamos_chiloe @kikasilvas @gabrielboric @gobiernodechile @presidencia_cl @pearljam @mmachile @pangalandrade #kelp #patagonia #ocean #conservation #nature #photography #stem #science #climateaction #starfish

From the tallest peaks to the deepest abyss, animals fill our planet from top to bottom with life. On today’s #WorldAnimalDay, we celebrate the resilience and abundance of our planet’s diverse creatures. Each one of the millions of species on Earth intertwines its survival with the health of their respective habitats, with other creatures, and, ultimately, with humans. In this sprawling web of cause and effect, it isn’t just the wild members of the animal kingdom that share the fate of another. Our species is no exception and relies on the delicate balance nature creates just the same. For the health of this rapidly changing world, taking action to protect our planet’s remaining biodiversity grows more imperative each day– and luckily, with nature’s ability to rebound in our absence, there are tangible steps we can take to help our Earth rewild itself. We explore an ecosystem that holds a pristine refuge bustling with life in the latest episode of “A Sea of Hope.” Join us on our journey to Chilean Patagonia and visit the link in our bio. Video by @andy_mann and @samkretch @deepblue_patagonia @mission_blue @bluemarinefoundation @max_bello @maisarojas @mitty @paulnicklen @dr.sylviaearle @azulmarinofundacion @juanantonio.blue.earth @centro_ballena_azul @fundacion_terram @defendamos_chiloe @kikasilvas @gabrielboric @gobiernodechile @presidencia_cl @pearljam @mmachile #patagonia #kelp #kelpforest #nature #ocean #conservation #science #storytelling #photography #sealion #animal

Chile’s kelp forests are some of the most pristine in the world. However, at the heart of this verdant ecosystem brimming with life lies an undercurrent of vulnerability tied to the health of our entire ocean. Kelp forests around the world face the threat of overharvesting, pollution, and climate change, hindering their ability to safeguard biodiversity and support ocean economies. As our planet changes and the impact of human activities continues to expand, the window to preserve these vital underwater forests with strong protections is quickly vanishing. Visit the link in our bio to experience the secret world of our planet’s largest continuous kelp forest and join us in the latest “A Sea of Hope” episode, “Blue Patagonia: Forests Beneath the Sea”.’ Los bosques de algas de Chile son de los más pristinos en el mundo. Sin embargo, en el corazón de este ecosistema vibrante y lleno de vida, también existe una corriente de vulnerabilidad subyacente relacionada con la salud de todo nuestro océano. Los bosques de kelp alrededor del mundo se enfrentan a la amenaza de sobreexplotación, contaminación y cambio climático, afectando su habilidad de proteger la biodiversidad y apoyar las economías oceánicas. Con los cambios que está sufriendo nuestro océano y el impacto de la continua expansión de las actividades humanas, la ventana de oportunidad para preservar estos bosques submarinos vitales con fuertes medidas de protección se está cerrando rápidamente. Visita el link en nuestra bio para experimentar el secreto mundo del bosque de algas contínuo más largo del mundo y acompáñanos en el último episodio de “Un Mar de Esperanza”, “Patagonia Azul: los bosques bajo el agua”. Video by @andy_mann and @samkretch @deepblue_patagonia @mission_blue @bluemarinefoundation @max_bello @maisarojas @mitty @paulnicklen @dr.sylviaearle @azulmarinofundacion @juanantonio.blue.earth @centro_ballena_azul @fundacion_terram @defendamos_chiloe @kikasilvas @gabrielboric @gobiernodechile @presidencia_cl @pearljam @mmachile⁠ ⁠ #patagonia #kelp #kelpforest #nature #ocean #conservation #science #storytelling #photography

Encircled by the rhythmic furling and swaying of stalks that reach from the ocean floor to its surface, you explore a forest densely packed with our Species Spotlight Sunday star. It isn’t the sea lions weaving through the aquatic maze or the crabs shuffling between the towering giants. In honor of our latest episode of “A Sea of Hope,” today’s subject is the piece that ties this Chilean Patagonia ecosystem together: kelp!⁠ ⁠ Our newest YouTube episode, “Blue Patagonia: Forests Beneath the Sea,” takes viewers below the surface, and into the largest continuous kelp forest in the world. Here, these industrious members of the brown algae family are hard at work, providing food and shelter to a multitude of inhabitants, while capturing and sequestering carbon. Like land plants, kelp photosynthesizes. But unlike their terrestrial look-alikes, it isn’t just the leaves, or in kelp’s case, blades, who perform this process. Instead, the entire plant takes in light and carbon dioxide, which it transforms into glucose (sugar) and oxygen. Kelp is anchored by a “holdfast.” Jutting out from there, a stipe grows vertically and resembles a traditional stem. Offshooting from the stipe, blades grow. Each stalk remains suspended with the help of gas bladders that hold air. This algae typically stretches 3-10 ft (1-3 m) tall, and in giant kelp species, the plants can span up to 215 ft (65 m)!⁠ ⁠ As our climate continues to change, it’s powerhouses like kelp whose critical ecological processes can help us minimize the impacts. Think we’ve kelped you learn all about this awesome algae? Head to our story for a Species Spotlight Sunday quiz!⁠ ⁠ To dive into the bustling kelp forests of Patagonia, visit the link in our bio and watch the latest episode of “A Sea of Hope!”⁠ ⁠ Photos by @andy_mann and @samkretch⁠ ⁠ @deepblue_patagonia @mission_blue @bluemarinefoundation @max_bello @maisarojas @mitty @paulnicklen @dr.sylviaearle @azulmarinofundacion @juanantonio.blue.earth @centro_ballena_azul @fundacion_terram @defendamos_chiloe @kikasilvas @gabrielboric @gobiernodechile @presidencia_cl @pearljam @mmachile⁠ ⁠ #ocean #conservation #nature #kelp #photography