Style Edit: Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative champions marine protection in Ningaloo Coast and Exmouth Gulf

Jul 16 , 2024

The Ningaloo Reef ecosystem is listed as an Unesco World Heritage site. Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative supports Australian marine biologist Ben Fitzpatrick in his quest to keep Ningaloo Coast and Exmouth Gulf safe from development. Photos: Handout

Australian marine biologist Ben Fitzpatrick is supported by Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative in his quest to keep the humpback whales’ nursery safe from development

A champion for the spirit of human exploration, Rolex has long supported those pushing boundaries and committed to preserving and protecting the planet. The planet’s waters have been near and dear to Rolex’s mandate for close to a century, dating as far back as 1927 when Mercedes Gleitze, wearing a Rolex Oyster on her wrist, completed her swim across the English Channel in 10 hours.

Today, the Perpetual Planet Initiative sees the watch brand supporting individuals and organisations that strive to understand nature and devise solutions to modern environmental challenges.

Across the world, there are marine ecosystems in need of protection

The Perpetual Planet Initiative was born in 2019 out of its long-standing partnership with the National Geographic Society and Mission Blue, an organisation supporting a global network of marine protection areas. Among the mandates of Mission Blue, founded by Rolex Testimonee Sylvia Earle, is identifying Hope Spots – ocean ecosystems and regions across the planet which demand immediate attention for preservation and protection.

Mission Blue identifies Hope Spots – ocean ecosystems and regions across the planet in need of immediate attention

Marine biologist Ben Fitzpatrick reached out to Mission Blue in hopes of applying for Hope Spot status for Ningaloo Coast and Exmouth Gulf in his native Western Australia.

Marine biologist Ben Fitzpatrick (centre) has campaigned for two decades to keep Ningaloo Coast safe from development

Fitzpatrick is a leading advocate in the protection of the area, which he first fell in love with as a child. He began publicly campaigning to save the Ningaloo Coast from development in 2003.

The thriving Ningaloo Reef ecosystem is said to be the west coast sister of the Great Barrier Reef and is a Unesco World Heritage site. Around the corner of the reef’s peninsula is the Exmouth Gulf, which is lined with an arid-zone mangrove system and is nicknamed Ningaloo’s nursery, for its role sheltering endangered species.

Exmouth Gulf is renowned as a nursery and sheltering waters for endangered species