The Frontlines of Oceanic Innovation
A Global Hope Spot Survey
Expedition Audacity is proud to be at the cutting edge of marine science—and even prouder to join forces with legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle and her team at Mission Blue.
Dr. Earle’s life’s work has been nothing short of revolutionary. Through Mission Blue, she’s given the world a new language for ocean conservation—“Hope Spots”—places of critical ecological importance that are vital to the future of our planet.
Now, Expedition Audacity is answering the call.
With Mission Blue’s support, we’ve launched a global survey to explore and document these Hope Spots using the latest in eDNA and eRNA technology. This means we’re capturing invisible traces of life in the water—tiny genetic breadcrumbs that reveal entire ecosystems, from the surface to the seabed.
We’re not just collecting data. We’re mapping entire worlds beneath the waves.
Using advanced tools like sidescan sonar, acoustic echosounders, and high-fidelity audio recorders, our teams are building layered, living portraits of these vital ocean zones. Every sample includes eDNA, eRNA, temperature, salinity, and seabed imaging—all synced to a precise time and location.
This is field science that tells a full story.
But this mission is about more than research. It’s about action.
Through documentaries, educational outreach, and partnerships with Indigenous communities and local scientists, we’re making sure this work reaches beyond the lab and into the lives of those it affects most.
Because science only matters if it makes a difference.
Together—with Mission Blue, Dr. Earle, and our global crew—we’re creating a new blueprint for ocean conservation. One that’s inclusive, tech-forward, and deeply human.
This is how we protect the ocean’s last wild places.
And this is how we keep hope alive.
Championing Hope: Dr. Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue & E.A.R. F
Global Marine Research Collaboration with Dr Sylvia Earle
They call her the “Queen of the Deep” for a reason. Dr. Sylvia Earle has spent her life exploring the oceans—and fighting for their protection.
Now, she’s taken a personal interest in Expedition Audacity.
Together with Dr. Earle and Mission Blue, we’re proud to launch a global marine research initiative focused on the most vital ecosystems on Earth: Hope Spots.
What Are Hope Spots?
Hope Spots are the beating hearts of the ocean—places rich in biodiversity, critical to planetary health, and full of untapped potential.
Identified by Mission Blue and backed by scientific and community nominations, these areas are ecological lifeboats in a changing sea. Protecting them isn't optional—it’s essential.
A Mission Begins in the Great Lakes
Our journey begins not in the open ocean, but in the freshwater seas of North America.
Launching from Toronto, we’ll start by surveying Lake Ontario and the Great Lakes system—some of the most important (and endangered) inland marine ecosystems in the world.
From here, we set sail for the Atlantic, with plans to visit every accessible Hope Spot along our circumnavigation route.
Hope in Action: What This Mission Looks Like
- Cutting-edge science: We’re using eDNA and eRNA analysis to track biodiversity in real time—right down to the invisible genetic traces left behind by marine life.
- Mapping the unknown: Sidescan sonar, acoustic echosounders, water quality sensors, and deep-sea cameras help us build full environmental portraits of each Hope Spot.
- Community-driven conservation: From Indigenous leaders to youth participants, local voices shape our approach at every stop.
- Stories that inspire: Through documentary storytelling and educational outreach, we’re making the invisible visible—and turning science into action.
In Sylvia’s Words
“Hope Spots embody the essence of what it means to protect and restore the marine environment. By extending our research and conservation efforts across these vital regions, we not only highlight their ecological importance but also inspire communities and stakeholders to take collective action for their preservation.”
— Dr. Sylvia Earle
A Global Voyage with One Goal: Protect What Matters
Expedition Audacity and Mission Blue aren’t just visiting Hope Spots. We’re building a bridge between science and storytelling, between data and action.
From Lake Ontario to the South Pacific, this is a global conservation journey powered by innovation, collaboration, and—above all—hope.
Because protecting the ocean isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about survival.
And hope is the most powerful current of all.
