Not far from last year's Mauritian oil spill are the coastal waters of the Black River District, a region where dolphins frolic, octopuses slither, rays soar and mantis shrimp punch above their weight. This remote shoreline, beloved by local divers, is one of more than 130 Hope Spots, a collection of aqua bijoux scattered around the world that are so ecologically distinct they have the potential to heal the planet—if we protect them.

“Nothing else will matter if we fail to protect the ocean,” says renowned ocean conservationist Sylvia Earle. “Our fate and the ocean are one.” Her nonprofit, Mission Blue, established this Hope Spot network over the past 12 years to garner global support for marine protections.

Along the way, Mission Blue revealed people see hope in every corner of the globe—from the Mauritius coast to Antarctica’s Ross Sea to the migratory path between the Galapagos and Cocos Islands. Anybody can nominate a spot individually or on behalf of an NGO so long as they can demonstrate local support, scientific backing and a dedication to caring for the spot long-term. Full application requirements are available at Mission-Blue.org. Boots-on-the-ground conservation work is amplified by Mission Blue, which aids in garnering press and pushing for public policy protections.