Hope for our oceans
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
Protecting wildlife, climate resilience & our future
Protect What You Love
True Marine Protected Areas are one of the most valuable tools we have to safeguard our oceans for the future. They've been proven to make a huge positive difference to diversity, populations and ocean health. And yet too often governments are slow to act or weak in their protections. It's more important than ever for all of us to be custodians for our sea country, so I'm proud to be one of the Hope Spot Champions for my local salty backyard...
Mission Blue Hope Spot- Byron Bay
The Northern Rivers is home to a rich and unique diversity of marine and coastal species. It provides habitat for over 1000 marine species and supports critical habitats for numerous threatened species including grey nurse sharks, loggerhead turtles and black rock cod. The unique biodiversity, critical habitats and value of the region saw the establishment of the Cape Byron Marine Park in 2002. More recently, the unique values of the region have been recognised as a global Hope Spot by the Mission Blue Foundation.
What's A Hope Spot?
Hope Spots are special areas of the ocean that are critical to the health of marine ecosystems — places with high biodiversity, unique species, or important cultural or ecological value. They’re identified by the international non-profit Mission Blue, led by oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle. The idea is to inspire protection and global support for these areas, helping them become officially protected and preserved for future generations.
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Learn more about the Hope Spot at the Mission Blue website or on the story map.
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Why Northern NSW?
Our coastline is a marine biodiversity hotspot, home to over 530 species of fish and more than 1,000 marine species in total. The region supports endangered grey nurse sharks, green and loggerhead turtles, and sees the annual migration of seasonal visitors like humpback whales, manta rays and leopard sharks. Situated along the East Australian Current, it’s a key zone for ocean productivity. The unique biodiversity, critical habitats and value of the region saw the establishment of the Cape Byron Marine Park in 2002. More recently, the unique values of the region have been recognised as a global Hope Spot by the Mission Blue Foundation. The Byron Bay Hope Spot is coordinated by Dolphin Research Australia.
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Goal & Strategy
The Hope Spot works to conserve and protect our local coastline from the Richmond River to Brunswick River, including Julian Rocks Nguthungulli Nature Reserve, Cape Byron Marine Park and related waterways, as encompassed within the Byron Bay Hope Spot.
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We do this by empowering our local community to take grass-roots action and directly address key threats to marine life and ecosystems in the Byron Bay Hope Spot, with local ocean champions creating a groundswell of action. By creating connectivity between local organisations, supporting science and engaging the community to act.
Marine Protected Areas
To me it's common sense: having protected areas in the ocean benefits everyone. The fish and other creatures that need a safe spot to feed, breed and live. The ocean users who get to watch & enjoy this life. The fishermen who depend on this resource. And the planet which needs healthy oceans to function.
