The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project announces new partnership with the International SeaKeepers Society


London, 22 February 2022 – A new partnership has been announced between The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project and The International SeaKeepers Society. The two parties will work together to further our understanding of ocean bathymetry and contribute to the global effort to produce the definitive map of the ocean floor.

Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between The Nippon Foundation and GEBCO to inspire the complete mapping of the world's ocean by 2030, and to compile all bathymetric data into the freely available GEBCO Ocean Map. GEBCO is a joint programme of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and is the only organisation with a mandate to map the entire ocean floor. Seabed 2030 is formally endorsed as a Decade Action of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

The International SeaKeepers Society is a non-profit organisation dedicated to facilitating marine research and conservation efforts. SeaKeepers accomplishes its mission by connecting the yachting and boating community with scientific and academic institutions. In doing so, SeaKeepers plays a vital role enabling the yachting community to take full advantage of their unique potential to advance marine sciences.

“SeaKeepers was founded in 1998 in response to the deterioration of our natural environment,” commented SeaKeepers Program Director Tony Gilbert. “Today, unfortunately, this issue remains ever-present and growing.

“At SeaKeepers, we are committed to increasing our knowledge about the ocean. Through our DISCOVERY Yacht Program, we promote scientific discovery to raise awareness about critical ocean issues. Our ethos greatly aligns with Seabed 2030’s aim, and we look forward to supporting the project in achieving its all-important goal of a complete map of the ocean floor in just under eight years.”

Seabed 2030 Project Director Jamie McMichael-Phillips said “The race is now on to safeguard the future of our planet, but gaps in bathymetry data greatly reduce our ability to plan and prepare for the climate crisis we’re facing. By partnering with organisations such as SeaKeepers – who carry out vital work facilitating imperative scientific discoveries – we are better equipped in facing the monumental task that lies ahead.

“A complete map of the seabed by 2030 is attainable, and we are delighted to welcome SeaKeepers as a partner who will help us achieve this.”

All data collected and shared with the Seabed 2030 Project is included in the GEBCO global grid, which is free and publicly available.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more detailed information on The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, please visit our website, seabed2030.org, like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter @Seabed2030, or contact [email protected].

For media inquiries contact:

Pegah Souri
[email protected]
+44 (0)7951 581707

Ivonne Gamboa
[email protected]
786.924.6209

The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project is a collaborative project between The Nippon Foundation and GEBCO. The Seabed 2030 Project, launched at the United Nations Ocean Conference in 2017 by Chairman Sasakawa of The Nippon Foundation, coordinates and oversees the sourcing and compilation of bathymetric data from different parts of the world’s ocean through its five centres into the freely-available GEBCO Grid. Four Regional Centres cover the Southern Ocean, the Arctic and North Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and the South and West Pacific Ocean. These feed data products into the Global Data Centre.

Find out more about the project and how to get involved

The International SeaKeepers Society strives to increase current knowledge about the oceans, promote and facilitate scientific discovery and raise awareness about critical ocean issues. SeaKeepers works directly with the yachting community as an essential component and contributor to ocean research and conservation efforts. The organization runs several yacht-involved programs to accomplish this mission.

Find out more about SeaKeepers.