SeaKeepers South Pacific Attends the Inaugural Sydney Charter Show and Australian Superyacht Conference

From February 22–25, 2026, Melissa White, Director of SeaKeepers South Pacific, and Lance Sheppard, Trustee for the New Zealand and Australia Charitable Trusts, attended the Sydney Charter Show and Australian Superyacht Conference. SeaKeepers was proud to be the charity partner of the show, which was held at our valued marina partner, Jones Bay Superyacht Marina.

Throughout the show, Melissa and Lance visited a wide range of vessels, primarily promoting Seabed2030 and Coral Watch, and sharing opportunities to get involved in SeaKeepers’ broader citizen science programs. As a result of these conversations, eight vessels signed up to participate in citizen science initiatives, with several also expressing interest in future scientist-led expeditions and additional projects. The event provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with existing partners while also introducing SeaKeepers to new potential collaborators within the superyacht industry.

Following the show, a one-day conference brought together speakers from across the marine and superyacht sectors to discuss industry developments and initiatives. Melissa had the opportunity to speak during the conference, providing an update on the work SeaKeepers South Pacific has been delivering across the region. The presentation led to strong engagement, with several attendees connecting afterward to explore ways to get involved and support ongoing programs.

Overall, the Sydney Charter Show and Australian Superyacht Conference provided an important platform to strengthen partnerships, grow vessel participation in citizen science, and continue building momentum for SeaKeepers’ work across Australia and New Zealand.