Three of Auckland's busiest marinas have thrown their weight behind ocean conservation, signing on as Marina Partners with SeaKeepers South Pacific in a move that gives the group direct access to thousands of boat owners along the city's waterfront.
Auckland Central Marina, Silo Marina and Westhaven Marina join a network SeaKeepers has been steadily building across the region. The idea is straightforward: use the marinas as a gateway to draw more recreational boaters and visiting yachties into ocean research, citizen science and marine education.
Westhaven is no small player here. It's the largest recreational marina in the Southern Hemisphere and has long been a cornerstone of Auckland's standing as a world-class boating hub. Silo Marina, tucked into the Wynyard Quarter, is New Zealand's premier superyacht marina and welcomes vessels from around the world. Auckland Central Marina sits in the heart of downtown Auckland, linking boaties into the city's commercial, hospitality and transport precincts.
"Auckland is internationally recognised as one of the world's premier boating destinations, and these marinas are central to that identity," said Melissa White, Director of SeaKeepers South Pacific. "By partnering with Auckland Central Marina, Silo Marina, and Westhaven Marina, we can connect with a broad cross-section of the boating community and create meaningful opportunities for vessel owners to directly contribute to ocean research, conservation, and education across the region."
Under the partnership, the three marinas will help promote SeaKeepers' Discovery Program, along with its citizen science initiatives, scientific expeditions, educational outreach and community engagement work.
Gareth Wilson, Marinas Manager, put it in practical terms. "With thousands of recreational boaters and international visitors moving through Auckland Central Marina, Silo Marina and Westhaven Marina each year, our marinas are uniquely placed to help grow participation in citizen science, education and ocean stewardship across the region."
It's not a one-off announcement, either. SeaKeepers South Pacific continues to build partnerships with marinas, yacht clubs, vessel owners, scientists, educators and conservation organisations across the region to facilitate collaborative ocean research and inspire stewardship of the world's oceans.
The International SeaKeepers Society was founded in Monaco in 1998 and has spent more than twenty-seven years supporting ocean conservation through direct involvement with the yachting community. Its mission today centres on the DISCOVERY Programme, made up of Scientist-Led Expeditions, Citizen Science, Educational Outreach and Community Engagement, delivered through offices in the United States and international representation in Singapore, the South Pacific and the United Kingdom.
