Marina conservation
The boating community at Coral Sea Marina in Queensland can now use their vessels to contribute to ocean research, thanks to a partnership with Seakeepers.
13 September 2023
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Queensland’s Coral Sea Marina has partnered with the International SeaKeepers Society, in a bid to promote marine education, citizen science and research opportunities.
The International SeaKeepers Society (SeaKeepers) is a global charity that pairs cruising yachts and superyachts with marine scientists and research projects.
Coral Sea Marina is a 520 wet-berth marina in the heart of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef, on Australia’s tropical eastern coast.
The marina has joined SeaKeepers’ fleet of marine industry partners as the organisation’s first dedicated marina partner in the South Pacific region.
“We are incredibly excited to join the SeaKeepers’ Marina Partner Program to raise awareness and promote ocean conservation to our marina guests, visiting superyachts and the wider boating community,” says Joscelyn O’Keefe, head of marketing and business development at Coral Sea Marina.
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Founded in Florida in 1998 by a small group of yacht owners, SeaKeepers has grown to incorporate marine industry partners from across the globe. The organisation runs several yacht-involved programs to help accomplish its mission.
“SeaKeepers is thrilled to have Coral Sea Marina as our first South Pacific marina partner,” says Melissa White, program development manager, South Pacific, at SeaKeepers.
“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’re looking forward to the work we can accomplish as partners.”
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,” says 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.”
O’Keefe adds: “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.”
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