Heroes of the Sea

Humankind has always been fascinated by the magic of the ocean, its power and unpredictability. The open sea awakens a desire to set forth and sail, but also the urge to step back in awe and fear. Today, however, our oceans are more threatened than ever before. Worldwide plastic waste pollution and industrial fishing threaten the existence of countless ocean species. Global warming and the resulting climate change are leading to ever greater damage of the marine ecosystem. York Hovest, a photographer, adventurer, and author, has set himself the task of countering this development. The regular National Geographic contributor has joined “heroes of the seas”—scientists, activists, and visionaries—around the globe to explore and document the most inventive solutions and promising projects to save our oceans. In parallel to a rich documentary film, this book charts Hovest’s journey to help save the seas, capturing the beauty of the ocean as well as its extreme fragility. Hovest’s pictures span the azure blue seas of the South Seas to the cold waters around the Arctic Circle. They show whales, sharks, and colorful reef inhabitants in their natural habitat. In breathtaking splendor and scope, they remind us of the immense diversity and beauty of marine life and urge us to protect the abundant life forms for whom the ocean is home.