The ocean is threatened by pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Although it covers approximately 70 percent of our planet, less than eight percent is protected. The mission of the Pristine Seas project, launched in 2008 by National Geographic Explorer in Residence Enric Sala, is to explore and protect the vital places in the ocean. Since the project began, it has conducted 36 scientific expeditions and worked with world leaders to inspire the creation of 25 marine reserves that collectively protect more than 6.5 million square kilometers of ocean (approximately 2.5 million square miles).