A group of shipyards has committed to reinvesting in ocean conservation and regeneration and is urging others to join them.
Abeking & Rasmussen, Ameryachts, Baglietto, Feadship, Gulf Craft, Heesen Yachts, Horizon Yachts, Lürssen Yachts, Oceanco, Royal Huisman, Sanlorenzo, Silveryachts, Southern Wind, Tankoa, Turquoise Yachts and Vitters are the first builders so far to agree to reinvest based on the gross tonnage (GT) of yachts they deliver.
“An innovative approach towards ecological transition is about acknowledging the ocean-climate nexus and the central role of marine ecosystem conservation for a healthy planet,” said Dr Vienna Eleuteri, Water Revolution Foundation’s initiator and sustainability scientist. “I am very pleased with this group of builders taking the lead in setting up structural reinvestment by the yachting sector to regenerate our oceans.”
For each tonnage delivered in 2021, the yacht builders will contribute €1 to the Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) project which is identifying those areas most important to marine mammals so as to prioritise them for protection.
With 159 IMMAs already established across the Southern Hemisphere, scientists are now looking to the Northern Hemisphere. There are nine regions of the ocean still to be mapped with the North Atlantic next on the list – the most common crossing route for yachts and superyachts between the Mediterranean and Caribbean seasons.