Cairns Marlin Marina, the pinnacle of Northern Australian cruising, has announced its partnership with The International SeaKeepers Society (SeaKeepers), a non-profit organisation committed to facilitating marine education, citizen science, and research opportunities within the yachting and boating community.
Renowned as Australia’s premier marina, Cairns Marlin Marina provides first-class facilities and customer service for a diverse fleet, including some of the world’s most advanced superyachts. Positioned on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, it serves as a gateway to spectacular cruising grounds.
Andrew Rokstad, Marina Manager of Cairns Marlin Marina says: “We are thrilled to collaborate with SeaKeepers, this partnership allows us to further engage our marina guests and the broader boating community in meaningful environmental stewardship.”
Ports North, the operator of Cairns Marlin Marina, is committed to understanding and minimising any potential environmental impacts of its operations. The marina encourages good environmental practice among its port users, tenants, and other stakeholders to ensure sustainable business operations that consider environmental, economic, and social impacts. The marina supports and engages in a range of monitoring projects to understand the physical, biological, and cultural attributes of the areas surrounding its ports. These projects include long-term seagrass monitoring, sediment quality analysis, water quality sampling, biosecurity and marine pest monitoring, and the study of benthic communities. Community engagement is also a vital part of Ports North’s environmental responsibilities, with support for the Ports North Environmental Awards for secondary students through the Business Liaison Association and in-kind support for local events.
Melissa White, Director of the South Pacific for SeaKeepers says: “We are thrilled to welcome Cairns Marlin Marina as our partner. Their dedication to the environment aligns perfectly with our mission. Together, we are eager to work towards increasing awareness and promoting marine conservation. This collaboration marks an important step in our shared commitment to protecting our oceans.”
Founded in 1998, SeaKeepers has expanded from its headquarters in North America to include locations in Singapore, Europe and the South Pacific. The DISCOVERY Yacht Program provides yacht owners the opportunity to collect oceanographic scientific data for research purposes while cruising the sea. SeaKeepers tailors research and outreach initiatives to match their unique ocean interests, enhancing contributions to conservation, research, and education worldwide. Current research involvement includes seabed mapping, as part of The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, and monitoring manta rays, as part of Project Manta. Vessels are invited to join the program, allowing them the opportunity to engage in these meaningful activities as they navigate the seas.
