#ocean optimism

"I spend so much time outdoors and am always very careful to leave it as I found it, or better than I found it. I also became dive certified a few years ago so I could not only explore 'beneath the surface' but also help with clean-up efforts." 

– Jackie Krawczak, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary volunteer 

What inspires you about the ocean and Great Lakes? 

(Photo: David J. Ruck/NOAA) 

📷by Justin Hofman in Indonesia

The good news about plastic pollution? We know exactly where it comes from! Every day—especially Earth Day—is an opportunity to make better choices, and to be encouraged that as we learn from our mistakes, we can all help make this the last photo of its kind.

From a recent return trip, Justin reports that public pressure and nationwide changes are coming to the region—just as they are around the world—to address the plastic pollution that has been ignored for too long in our global backyard.

That feeling of euphoria at the sight of a stellar report card—we are feeling all the feels.

Roughly every two years the Smithsonian Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative (HRI) releases a report card for the Mesoamerican Reef—a barrier reef that stretches along the Atlantic coasts of Mexico, Belize, Honduras and Guatemala, the largest such reef in the Americas.

And it turns out that this year its grades are up! Despite several bleaching events in the Caribbean, coral cover increased by an average of 38 percent at more than 100 sites that have been monitored from 2006 to 2016.

Read the full details here.

"I recently took a group of 27 elementary school students kayaking in the Santa Barbara Harbor. For many of these Ocean Guardian Ambassadors and their parents, it was their first hands-on experience with the ocean and they had never been on a kayak before. It was amazing to see the transformation of one young student on my kayak, who started out terrified and severely uncomfortable to eventually becoming an future ocean lover. An hour and a half into the experience, she was running her hand through the water, taking a turn paddling and asking when we would get to kayak again." 

– Claire Fackler, ONMS national volunteer coordinator 

What inspires you about the ocean? 

(Photo: Claire Fackler/NOAA) 

"Each dive is a story in itself. Every visit to a shipwreck, reef, and underwater community tells a new story of loss and love. The environment in which a shipwreck rests, exists, and thrives also adds to the story, creating new chapters that only the diver will witness firsthand. Hopefully the diver can bring this story to the surface to be told to the public and inspire a new generation of adventure seekers to don the gear and bring a new story for generations to come. In most cases the treasures within these sanctuaries can, should, and will hopefully outlive us all." 

– Jeremy Bannister, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary volunteer and diver 

What inspires you about the ocean and Great Lakes? 

(Photo: NOAA) 

"I am fortunate enough to work with volunteers almost on a daily basis. A lot of my volunteers travel hundreds of miles just to come out and clean Washington's beaches, including the numerous ones along Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Each year, our volunteers help remove nearly 120,000 pounds of household plastics, lost fishing gear, and other marine debris from the coastal environment. As a collective whole, our efforts are stronger, and our volunteers prove that every time they participate in our cleanups." 

– James Roubal, program coordinator at Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Washington CoastSavers 

What inspires you about the ocean? 

(Photo courtesy of James Roubal) 

"What I love about our National Marine Sanctuary System is how it is designed to protect nationally-significant places while engaging local communities across our country. It can be messy and complicated, but it also inspires and connects us to one another and to places we hold dear. I've been really proud of the work our Diversity and Inclusion Committee has taken on the past couple of years. We tackle difficult subjects with the same dedication we have for protecting our sanctuaries, and it's an honor to work with colleagues who are committed to making our office a great place to work." 

– Hélène S., program analyst with NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries 

What inspires you about the ocean? 

(Photo: Matt McIntosh/NOAA)