Pristine Seas

There are places in the ocean virtually untouched by man. They offer a fascinating glimpse into our past and an inspiring vision for the future. They are the last Pristine Seas, and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala takes readers on an unforgettable journey to 10 of these astounding locations.

From the shark-rich waters surrounding Coco Island, Costa Rica, to the iceberg-studded sea off Franz Josef Land, Russia, this incredible photographic collection showcases the thriving marine ecosystems that Sala is working to protect. Offering a rare glimpse into the world's underwater Edens, more than 200 images take you to the frontier of the Pristine Seas expeditions, where Sala's teams explore the breathtaking wildlife and habitats from the depths to the surface—thriving ecosystems with healthy corals and a kaleidoscopic variety of colorful fish and stunning creatures that have been protected from human interference. With this dazzling array of photographs that capture the beauty of the water and the incredible wildlife within it, this book shows us the brilliance of the sea in its natural state. It is a beautiful reminder of what we have to gain by protecting our seas.

National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence ENRIC SALA combines science, exploration, and media to advocate the restoration of marine life. Witnessing the adverse impacts pollution, overfishing, climate change, and industrialization were having on marine ecosystems, he dedicated his career to finding ways to restore health and productivity to the ocean. Sala's expeditions reach the most remote, uninhabited, and untouched sites in the ocean, to carry out the first comprehensive scientific surveys of what pristine, healthy reefs look like. This work was key in inspiring the creation of large marine protected areas in the U.S., Chile, and Costa Rica and acts as the model in his race to save the remaining unprotected parts of the sea and develop new preventative business models for conservation. Sala obtained his Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Aix-Marseille, France, in 1996. His more than 100 scientific publications, dozens of popular articles, and five documentary films are widely recognized and used for real-world conservation efforts. A former professor of marine ecology at the distinguished Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Sala holds many prestigious honors including 2005 Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellow, a 2006 Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation, and a 2008 Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum.