Date: 11th September 2023
For Immediate Release
CORAL SEA MARINA FORMS A NEW PARTNERSHIP IN MARINE CONSERVATION
Coral Sea Marina announces a new partnership in marine conservation with the international not-for-profit organization, The International SeaKeepers Society, in a further step to promoting marine education, citizen science and research opportunities.
The International SeaKeepers Society (SeaKeepers) is dedicated to facilitating research, conservation efforts, and education by connecting the yachting and boating community with the scientific and academic communities.
SeaKeepers supports marine science and education by utilizing privately owned yachts and vessels to act as platforms for oceanographic research, educational outreach, and marine conservation. Coral Sea Marina has joined their fleet of marine industry partners, as a dedicated Marina Partner, proudly the first in the South Pacific.
‘We are incredibly excited to join the SeaKeepers’ Marina Partner Program with a view to raise awareness and promote ocean conservation to our marina guests, visiting Superyachts and the wider boating community’ explains Joscelyn O’Keefe, Head of Marketing and Business Development, Coral Sea Marina.
“We are uniquely positioned on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef to facilitate participation in ocean conservation programs and the citizen science movement to both privately owned vessels and our commercial tourism operators.”
Founded in 1998 by a small group of yacht owners who were alarmed at the deterioration of the natural environment, SeaKeepers has grown to enable the yachting community to take full advantage of their potential to advance marine sciences, facilitate scientific discovery and raise awareness about global ocean issues.
“SeaKeepers is thrilled to have Coral Sea Marina as our first South Pacific Marina Partner. Their efforts in being a Clean Marina and creating the Coral Sea Academy as their commitment to educating people on protecting our marine environment, aligns with the SeaKeepers mission. We are looking forward to the work we can accomplish as partners.” – Melissa White, Program Development Manager, South Pacific, SeaKeepers.
Based out of Coral Gables, Florida, SeaKeepers now has marine industry partners from across the globe. The organization runs several yacht-involved programs to help accomplish their mission.
Most notably, interested vessels are encouraged to sign up to become a DISCOVERY Yacht. The DISCOVERY Yacht Program allows private vessels to partner with SeaKeepers through Scientist-Led Expeditions, Citizen Science, Educational Outreach and Community Engagement.
Vessel involvement ranges from participating in concise seabed mapping, as part of The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2023 Project, to monitoring manta rays in Australian waters, as part of Project Manta.
“By joining the DISCOVERY Yacht Fleet the boating community can use their vessels and their time to make a real difference out on the water”, explains Ms O’Keefe.
“Whether by documenting encounters with local marine life or capturing important scientific data whilst cruising the water of Australia and the South Pacific, partnering with The International SeaKeepers Society provides everyday people to actively contribute to the crucial work of ocean conservation”.
For information on The International SeaKeepers Society, visit seakeepers.org.
- END
*Header Image Credit International Seakeepers Society
About Coral Sea Marina Resort
Coral Sea Marina is an award-winning 520 wet berth marina located in the heart of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef. As the first 5 Gold Anchor Platinum accredited marina in Queensland, Coral Sea Marina offers premium marina facilities and a range of concierge services for vessels up to 80m.
Coral Sea Marina is part of Coral Sea Marina Resort, a tourist destination that also includes a 77-room waterfront boutique resort, two vibrant marina villages, an inspiring calendar of events and is home to 80% of the region’s on-water tourism products, making Coral Sea Marina Resort the ultimate place to stay, play, explore the Whitsundays.
Media Enquiries: Joscelyn O’Keefe, Coral Sea Marina – 0488 049 807 | Joscelyn@csmr.com.au
About The International SeaKeepers Society
The International SeaKeepers Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that facilitates oceanographic research, conservation, and education through direct involvement with the yachting community. Providing educational resources and hands-on marine science experiences to students is the primary focus for ensuring the wellbeing of our planet. SeaKeepers enables the yachting community to take full advantage of their unique potential to advance marine sciences and raise awareness about global ocean issues.
Founded in Monaco in 1998, The International SeaKeepers Society has been supporting ocean conservation through direct involvement with the yachting community for twenty-five years. What started as a data collection program aboard select luxury yachts, has evolved to engage thousands of participants annually with at-sea and coastal programming. Today SeaKeepers’ mission is focused on the DISCOVERY Yacht Program which is comprised of Scientist-Led Expeditions, Citizen Science, Educational Outreach, and Community Engagement.
SeaKeepers is a catalyst working with governments, scientists, institutions, and other marine organizations to further its mission and support sensible, achievable marine protection and restoration. Activities take place globally through the efforts of headquarters based in the United States with offices located on the east and west coast, and international representation in Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the South Pacific.
For more information, please visit www.seakeepers.org.
Media Enquiries: Ivonne Gamboa, SeaKeepers – +1 786 924 6209 | Ivonne@SeaKeepers.org