Chris Hines, Strategic Partnerships Director, Education at the National Geographic Society’s technology lab, in Washington, DC.
An enduring partnership between the Young Pacific Leaders (YPL) program and National Geographic Pristine Seas is strengthening efforts to combat threats from illegal fishing, while boosting maritime security and disaster management across the Pacific region.
In Washington, DC for the YPL United States Alumni Roadshow, a group of 12 YPL alumni visited the renowned U.S.-based not-for-profit National Geographic Society, where they met Chris Hines, Strategic Partnerships Director, Education, and several Pristine Seas team members.
Stakeholder engagement is a key component of the Roadshow, and of the YPL program, designed to bolster leadership in the Pacific, the alumni discussed shared concerns and issues in the Pacific with the Pristine Seas team.
The Pristine Seas team is currently undertaking The Global Expedition, a five-year project where scientists, policy experts, and filmmakers will explore the tropical Pacific aboard the M/V Argo, a 130-foot customized research vessel and media center, with the goal of supporting communities and governments in their efforts to protect the ocean.
The YPL US Alumni Roadshow Cohort and Pristine Seas team members at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, DC.
Chris says to achieve this goal, Pristine Seas works closely with governments, U.S. Embassies in the Pacific, communities, educators, storytellers and YPL, to better understand marine ecosystems.
“We get invited by ministries of environment and governments throughout the Pacific to come and deploy some of our scientific technologies…to build a complete understanding of natural ecosystems in their environments, which helps countries make informed marine management decisions,” Chris says.
Chris adds his role involves extending expeditions into classrooms and communities, by trying to instil a sense of ocean literacy and marine responsibility into young people and supplying resources to add value where it is needed.
“For the past few years, we’ve been working closely with YPL in some really cool ways,” Chris says. “When we first started deeper education programs in the Pacific, we convened a small group of YPL alumni and asked them questions to understand what motivates young people in the region, and how we could add value using our resources and scientific assets.
“Because we’re not based in the Pacific, we rely on local partners and stakeholders to help us understand ecosystems and what’s most valuable for Pacific leaders, especially young ones.”
After meeting with the YPL alumni, Chris says the team learned how to co-create resources and experiential learning opportunities for educators and young people.
“We’ve continued integrating with YPL at different events — one even became a National Geographic Explorer in the Solomon Islands, which was amazing.”
In 2024, scientist and YPL alumna Sharon Inone became first Explorer from the Solomon Islands to be recognized by the National Geographic Society.
Mena Ltru, YPL alumna of Tuvalu and locally managed marine area Director, worked with the National Geographic Pristine Seas team in Tuvalu to share science with the people of Nanumea Tuvalu.
Federated States of Micronesia YPL alumni Nicole Yamase, Yolanda Joab Mori, and others worked to bring science students, government officials, and more through Blue Prosperity Micronesia and the Pristine Seas team.
The ocean is increasingly under threat from overfishing, natural disasters, and maritime security breaches.
Ryan Jenkinson, Pristine Seas Director, Expeditions, says the work the team is doing with its Pacific partners not only helps to protect the ocean, but also areas which have been somehow degraded by human activities, so they can bounce back, he says.
“One of the greatest threats we have observed is illegal industrial fishing where boats will come in at night and take what they can from areas which are not monitored, so we report this to that particular country’s government so they can help combat it,” Ryan says.
The YPL alumni are excited about connecting with National Geographic Pristine Seas to see how they can potentially collaborate on future opportunities in the Pacific.
Visit the Young Pacific Leaders website for more details on the US Department of State program.
