London, United Kingdom – March 22, 2024 – The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project and The International SeaKeepers Society (SeaKeepers) announce a significant stride in their partnership, furthering the collective global effort to map the ocean floor. Initially forged to deepen our comprehension of ocean bathymetry, this collaboration is evolving as SeaKeepers assumes the pivotal role of primary facilitator for a number of key crowdsourced bathymetry (CSB) enterprises on behalf of Seabed 2030.
Through this initiative, SeaKeepers will engage with leisure vessels through its DISCOVERY Yacht Program, leveraging the private marine industries' unique potential to contribute to this monumental task.
Tony Gilbert, Chief Programmes Officer:
"We are delighted to take on this pivotal role in support of the Seabed 2030 project. Crowdsourced bathymetry, an International Hydrographic Organization initiative, is integral to the vision of a fully mapped ocean by the end of the decade, and vessel owners have a central role to play in helping us realise this by sharing depth measurements from their voyages. Together, we can navigate towards a future where the ocean's vast expanse is fully known and protected for generations to come.”
Jamie McMichael-Phillips, Seabed 2030 Project Director:
“This development further strengthens our existing partnership with the International SeaKeepers Society, who are a valued, long-standing partner of Seabed 2030. SeaKeepers’ involvement in spearheading a number of important CSB enterprises brings us a significant step closer to our goal, facilitating critical scientific discoveries and enhancing marine conservation efforts along the way. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to understanding the ocean and ensuring its sustainable management."
Vessel owners are encouraged to join this ground-breaking initiative as they play a crucial role in uncovering uncharted features of the ocean floor, improving navigational safety, and contributing to the preservation of the marine environment. For more information on how to get involved in this global effort, please visit www.seakeepers.org or contact [email protected].
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.
The International SeaKeepers Society: www.seakeepers.org