Sylvia Earle, a Rolex Testimonee since 1982, has been a pioneer of ocean exploration for nearly 60 years. Since 2009, through her Mission Blue initiative, Earle has encouraged communities and governments to shield marine life that is at risk from human pressures through protected areas she calls Hope Spots. These are areas of the oceans designated as vital to the preservation of species. They may be significant for their biodiversity, or home to endemic, rare or endangered species, or be places where local communities rely on a healthy marine environment for their livelihoods.