MSC’s Ocean Cay becomes Mission Blue ‘Hope Spot’

Mission Blue has a global network of 154 Hope Spots — areas recognised as critical to the health of the ocean and championed by conservationists, with the ultimate goal of achieving the status of Marine Protected Areas. 

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s cruise division, as well as MSC Foundation board member and executive committee chair, becomes a ‘Hope Spot Champion.’ 

‘Being designated a Hope Spot is an important recognition for Ocean Cay Marine Reserve and helps focus attention on how we all have an important duty as caretakers of our Blue Planet,’ remarked Vago. 

‘That responsibility is why the scientific research and restoration efforts of our Super Coral Programme aim not just to create resilient coral reefs around Ocean Cay and in the Bahamas, but to simultaneously contribute to conservation knowledge and initiatives worldwide.’ 

The executive chairman went on to thank the nonprofit and renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle, who established Mission Blue, ‘for their tireless efforts, which inspire us all to cherish and safeguard the rich biodiversity of our oceans.’ 

Electing a Hope Spot

To become a Hope Spot, nominations are carefully evaluated by the Hope Spot Council composed of marine scientists and policy experts to ensure that the final selection is both rigorous and reflective of global marine conservation needs. 

Earle said ‘This recognises the comprehensive restoration efforts and commitment to protecting marine biodiversity. Led by Pierfrancesco Vago, the restoration of Ocean Cay has been a multidisciplinary effort to re-establish the ecological balance in this limestone island and its surrounding marine estate.’ 

The marine biologist noted that ‘Ocean Cay will inform thousands of people weekly about the crucial importance of growing and out planting thermally tolerant corals for marine conservation, ocean health and human wellbeing.’ 

Follows almost a decade of work to restore ecosystems

When MSC Cruises took responsibility for Ocean Cay in 2015, the island had suffered from decades of industrial activities, including aragonite sand mining. The cruise line subsequently embarked on an ambitious restoration initiative, collaborating with the government of the Bahamas, universities, marine scientists and conservationists to restore the island's ecosystems.

To date, nearly 5,000 trees and 75,000 indigenous plants, flowers and shrubs have been planted on the island, revitalising the terrestrial environment. The health of the surrounding waters is described by MSC as flourishing with marine life, including the presence of loggerhead sea turtles. 

Super Coral Programme

The Marine Restoration Programme covers 64 sq km of marine waters and ecosystems around Ocean Cay. It was expanded in 2019, when the MSC Foundation started its Super Coral Programme, an initiative to identify coral genotypes known as 'super corals' which have evolved to better withstand thermal stress. They will be strategically out planted to create more robust reefs with improved resilience to the extreme heat events of climate change. 

MSC Foundation plans to further this work and educate thousands of cruise visitors every year to raise awareness of the urgent need for ocean conservation efforts worldwide.