Pristine Seas: Journeys to the Ocean’s Last Wild Places
By Enric Sala
Forward by Leonardo DiCaprio
Available Now
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.
Praise for Pristine Seas:
Journeys to the Ocean’s Last Wild Places
“Growing up by the sea, I developed a real love and understanding of our ocean. As I have travelled from Pole-to-Pole working to protect this precious asset, I have for a long time supported the work of Dr Enric Sala to protect the last wild places in the ocean. Enric became a friend and I gladly agreed to serve on the board of Pristine Seas. With this book, Enric makes us travel to these extraordinary places, revealing what the future of the ocean could be, if we take the right decisions for its recovery.”
—HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco
“Sala's passion is enduring, the work ahead… immense.”
—Minnesota Public Radio
“National Geographic explorer Enric Sala founded a project to find, explore, and protect the few remaining wild places in our oceans. Partnering with Leonardo DiCaprio, he’s already inspired world leaders to create ocean sanctuaries. His new book, Pristine Seas, highlights ten aquatic Edens.”
—The Guardian
“National Geographic explorer in residence Enric Sala, author of the new book Pristine Seas: Journeys to the Ocean’s Last Wild Places, calls these regions ‘fish banks,’ in which fishing operators can draw down the interest without depleting the capital.”
—The Washington Post
“The book is an expedition memoir that presents a glimpse into the past as well as offering inspiration and hope for the future . . . Sala’s photography is stunning, almost unbelievable in capturing the beauty of mostly unexplored locations with unusual and exotic wildlife.”
—Apogee Photo Magazine
“Enric Sala writes in clear and highly readable prose about a complex subject, drawing on personal experiences and stories gathered from others. I highly recommend The Nature of Nature for anyone wishing to learn mo”
—Natural History