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SeaKeepers South Pacific
In 2023, SeaKeepers expanded into the South Pacific to support marine science and conservation by utilizing privately owned yachts as platforms for oceanographic research, educational outreach, and marine conservation. SeaKeepers South Pacific offers scientist-led expeditions, citizen science initiatives, educational outreach, and community engagement projects.
Under the SeaKeepers’ DISCOVERY Yacht Programme, yacht owners are invited to support marine research and conservation by offering time on their vessels or participating in Citizen Science projects. Our small but distinguished membership includes entrepreneurs, yachtsmen, corporations, divers, scientists, and concerned citizens, building a global movement to help restore and protect the world’s oceans.
As a private/public collaborative effort, SeaKeepers focuses on critical ocean issues in cooperation with government agencies, other like-minded organizations, the academic community, and the public. Our motto is:
“Research. Educate. Protect and Restore.”
Motor Yacht Dancing Hare anchored off Rotoroa,
one of New Zealand’s predator free islands.
DISCOVERY Partner Manta Watch
NZ and Motor Yacht Dancing Hare
Scientist-Led Expeditions
Scientist-Led Expeditions provide yacht owners, guests, and crew the opportunity to participate in ongoing research while engaging with influential, well-known marine scientists. The largest expense, and often limiting factor, in ocean research is access to an at-sea research platform. Using member yachts, The International SeaKeepers Society works with experts in the marine science and oceanography fields to promote and facilitate groundbreaking research. Each expedition charter is unique and is organized with both the science and the yacht in mind.
Seabed2030 logger install on
DISCOVERY Yacht Orion
Captain David proudly showing
off the SeaKeepers flag
Citizen Science Initiatives
Citizen science expeditions offer an opportunity for vessel owners to get involved in smaller-scale marine research initiatives. These expeditions do not require scientists to be aboard, but they permit vessel owners and crew to participate in ongoing research projects which depend on the participation of non-scientists within the community.
Seabed 2030 Project
A collaborative global initiative to map the world’s oceans by 2030 by the Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO). This information can help identify uncharted features such as seamounts and canyons, verify charted information and help fill in the spaces on charts where no data exists.
The Neuston Net Research Collective
This unique collective spans a wide range of research topics with one common theme: they all utilize the Neuston Nets. Neuston Nets are fine mesh nets often towed behind boats to collect samples of neustonic organisms, algae, plastics, plankton, seawater, and more.
South Pacific’s Sustainability kit
displayed on DISCOVERY Yacht Saluté
Educational Outreach Activities
SeaKeepers educational outreach is focused on marine wildlife, plastic pollution, sustainability practices, water contamination and more. SeaKeepers staff work closely with the yacht owner or marine industry business to determine the appropriate type of participant group and outreach content, as necessary. Increasingly, an emphasis on green boating practices and highlighting emerging technologies that transition vessels from motor yachts to cleaner energy sources are included as part of the presentations.
Debris collected at the Opotiki
skatepark at a cleanup conducted
during the Keep New Zealand
Beautiful Week
Community Engagement
SeaKeepers shares its mission of ocean research and conservation with local communities throughout the year. SeaKeepers takes part in scientific seminars, educational events, beach cleanups, and yachting industry functions.
Support the South Pacific
In order to continue building efforts in the South Pacific that create local awareness and commitment to protection, conservation, and restoration of the marine ecosystem, SeaKeepers South Pacific relies on the generosity of like minded individuals and corporations.
Support SeaKeepers South Pacific efforts in Educational Outreach, Citizen Science, and Community Engagement by filling out the Sponsorship Support Form below.
Contact SeaKeepers' South Pacific
We welcome your participation in all types of opportunities with SeaKeepers' South Pacific. Discover more about our DISCOVERY Yacht Program and contribute to the crucial work of ocean conservation and scientific research. If interested, apply below and include your interest, or contact our team today.
Press Releases
Port Denarau Marina partners with The International SeaKeepers Society
Port Denarau Marina partners with The International SeaKeepers Society to advance marine conservation efforts
Tips for sustainable boating adventures
Port Denarau Marina Partners with The International SeaKeepers Society
11th Australia Tahiti Rendezvous Goes from Strength to Strength
The International Seakeepers Society, Maiden, and Seabed 2030 Join Forces | Research | News (ecomagazine.com)
Who will be speaking at The Flagship Event 2024? (mailchi.mp)
Marina conservation - Ocean Magazine
Coral Sea Marina Joins SeaKeepers' Discovery Yacht Programme - Asia Pacific Boating
Coral Sea Marina Collaborates with SeaKeepers Society for Marine Conservation | YP (yachting-pages.com)
Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard Partners with SeaKeepers to Promote Education on Ocean Conservation - Superyacht Australia (superyacht-australia.com)
Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard Partners with SeaKeepers to Promote Education on Ocean Conservation. - Marina Industries Association (marinas.net.au)
SuperyachtNews.com - Operations - GCCM joins marine conservation initiative
Cruising with purpose - Ocean Magazine
Yachts Wanted for Research Programmes in the South Pacific - Asia Pacific Boating
In the News
South Pacific Events
Great Barrier Reef Seminar
On Friday, the 24th of May, The International SeaKeepers Society attended the Great Barrier Reef Seminar as a speaker to discuss the different opportunities within the DISCOVERY Yacht Programme where vessels can support in Scientist-Led Expeditions, Citizen Science, and Educational Outreach. The seminar delved into marine science topics, tropical storm cover, reef guide information and updates on policies surrounding cruising within the marine park. For information on the GBBR Seminar, please contact Melissa White at [email protected].
Love Our Oceans
On Sunday, the 17th of March, The International SeaKeepers Society hosted an intimate event, Love Our Oceans, during which guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres to celebrate the soft launch of the South Pacific Chapter. Melissa White hosted thirty guests at the Koel Café in the New Zealand Maritime Museum to close out the Auckland Boat Show and share more information about SeaKeepers' programming opportunities. For information on upcoming events in the South Pacific, please contact Melissa White at [email protected].
Superyacht Gathering
On Thursday, the 14th of March, the Superyacht Gathering long lunch was hosted at Mudbrick Vineyard for an afternoon of reconnecting, bonding, and building a community of people drawn together for the love of the culture, design, technology, philanthropy, and superyachts.
Auckland Boat Show
Set in the heart of the City of Sail with a new format and venue seeing the show take place in Jellicoe Harbour, previously the America’s Cup team bases, New Zealand’s biggest boat show showcases more than 200 domestic and international marine businesses, including dozens of vessel manufactures and boat brokers. The Auckland Boat Show is run by a small team from the NZ Marine Industry Association and is designed solely to promote and further the cause of New Zealand’s marine industry. It’s a not-for-profit show that pushes funds back into the industry for its betterment and growth.
South Pacific Programming Highlights
SeaKeepers' South Pacific provide yacht/boat owners, guests, and crew the opportunity to participate in ongoing research while engaging with influential, well-known marine scientists. The largest expense, and often limiting factor, in ocean research is access to an at-sea research platform. Browse our additional programming by visiting our Headquarters, Asia, and the United Kingdom pages on our website.
Citizen science initiatives offer yacht/boat owners to get involved in smaller-scale marine research initiatives. These expeditions do not require scientists to be aboard, but they permit allow participation in ongoing research projects which depend on the participation of non-scientists within the community. Browse our additional programming by visiting our Headquarters, Asia, and the United Kingdom pages on our website.
SeaKeepers offers free educational opportunities focused on ocean conservation and research. This program offers in-person and online activities for children of all ages, free of charge. In partnership with marine educators and other non-profits, we provide classrooms and small groups with local marine biology field trips and digital resources for classes that are unable to travel. Browse our additional programming by visiting our Headquarters, Asia, and the United Kingdom pages on our website.
SeaKeepers engages local communities through various initiatives, including yachting industry events, seminars, and beach clean-ups, as well as campaigns and projects that aim to protect and restore coral reefs and safeguard marine species. Browse our additional programming by visiting our Headquarters, Asia, and the United Kingdom pages on our website.
The Golding's Voyage
Aboard DISCOVERY Yacht Traverse, The Goldings and their crew embarked on a remarkable 14-month expedition across the world's oceans. Travelling from New Zealand to the Mediterranean Sea, they are collaborating with multiple SeaKeepers chapters and offices to support Science at Sea and Citizen Science proramming, while advocating for responsible boating. Find out more about their journey here.
Contact SeaKeepers' South Pacific
We welcome your participation in all types of opportunities with SeaKeepers' South Pacific. Discover more about our DISCOVERY Yacht Program and contribute to the crucial work of ocean conservation and scientific research. If interested, apply below and include your interest, or contact our team today.
Supporters
