Southport Yacht Club (SYC) proudly announces its partnership with The International SeaKeepers Society (SeaKeepers), a nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing marine science, conservation, and education through innovative collaborations with the yachting and boating community. This partnership perfectly aligns with SYC’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship as the club seeks to minimise its environmental impact across its operations.
Located in Queensland, Southport Yacht Club was awarded Clean Marina Level 3 and Fish Friendly accreditation in 2014. Since then, substantial improvements have been made to enhance its sustainability efforts. Recent initiatives include the introduction of a food recycling centre in the kitchen to reduce food waste and promote responsible consumption, as well as steps to phase out plastic straws. Additionally, the club is actively exploring new ways to reduce its carbon footprint across all departments.
One of the latest sustainability projects is the introduction of “Trash-Cat,” a specialised vessel designed to clean Southport’s waterways by collecting floating debris such as glass bottles, aluminium cans, and plastic containers. Funded by SYC, this initiative not only helps maintain the beauty and cleanliness of the marina’s surroundings but also significantly reduces landfill waste and recycling costs.
Mark Riddell, Waterfront Manager at Southport Yacht Club, expressed his enthusiasm about the new collaboration: “We at Southport Yacht Club are very excited to partner with The International SeaKeepers Society and look forward to building a great relationship.”
Through this partnership, Southport Yacht Club joins a global network of vessels committed to advancing marine science and conservation. Together, SYC and SeaKeepers are poised to make a significant impact on the protection and sustainability of marine environments for future generations.
Melissa White, Director of the South Pacific chapter of SeaKeepers, also expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are thrilled to welcome Southport Yacht Club as a partner in our Discovery Yacht Program. Their proactive approach to sustainability and environmental responsibility aligns perfectly with our mission. We are excited to explore new opportunities for research and citizen science that contribute to the conservation of marine ecosystems in Australia and around the world.”
