In recognition of Earth Day, Holland America Line and Seabourn today are announcing the renewal in their partnership with Marine Conservation Institute. The partnership with the Washington State-based organisation began in 2010 with the “Our Marvelous Oceans” program, and should continue with the signing of a brand new three-year agreement that runs through 2016.
The goal of “Our Marvelous Oceans” is to foster greater understanding of the marine environment through guest and staff education and commitment to sustainably sourced seafood on shipboard menus. The partnership also incorporates a new “Saving the Ocean’s Gems” program to be rolled out in fall 2013 that promotes Marine Protected Areas — parts of the sea put aside to give protection to endangered species, special habitats and/or cultural heritage sites — especially along the ships’ itineraries.
“Over the past three years we now have learned an important amount from the Marine Conservation Institute about protecting our oceans, and it’s only fitting that we renew our partnership on the earth Day,” said Stein Kruse , president and CEO of Holland America Line, and chairman, Seabourn. “It is essential that we continue to present information to our guests and crewmembers about what we will all do to give protection to and improve the health of our oceans, and we’re fortunate to have the international experts on the Marine Conservation Institute working with us as section of our many environmental endeavors.”
“We are delighted to continue the committed partnership that we have got forged previously three years with Holland America Line and Seabourn,” said Dr. Lance Morgan , President of Marine Conservation Institute, located in Seattle, Wash. “We share a powerful interest in healthy oceans, and this partnership has provided an innovative opportunity to advance the conservation message and has had real-world impact toward furthering our mission through projects corresponding to sustainable seafood purchasing.”
Morgan added, “We look forward with enthusiasm to developing the programming around ‘Saving the Ocean’s Gems’ inside the next year.”
Both Holland America Line and Seabourn strive to make sure that seafood menu selections served aboard both lines are responsibly sourced, promoting the continuing viability of fish species necessary to a biologically diverse marine environment. The Marine Conservation Institute determines the sustainability of a selected seafood item by touching on well-established seafood sustainability ratings. They then apply their professional expertise and judgment to make sure the sustainability of the choice.
The educational component of the “Our Marvelous Oceans” program is rich in content. A video series broadcast on all Holland America Line ships and at the line’s websites introduces ocean issues and highlights important marine conservation topics that relate to the ships’ itineraries.
As a part of the lines’ onboard enrichment programs, Marine Conservation Institute board members, executives and staff present lectures and conduct question-and-answer sessions on select itineraries, creating a chance for guests to have interaction with and learn from world-class scientists.
With the hot “Saving the Ocean’s Gems” focus, Marine Protected Areas in and near the lines’ most traveled itineraries might be identified, and Holland America Line and Seabourn will work with Marine Conservation Institute to produce enrichment opportunities for guests to be informed more in regards to the areas.
Recognised during the cruise industry for his or her environmental efforts, Holland America Line and Seabourn’s Environmental Management Systems are certified to evolve to the ISO 14001 standard by independent registrars – Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance and Det Norske Veritas, respectively. The Environmental Management System is the gathering of all environmental policies, training and procedures for each shipboard significant environmental aspect. This certification recognises the robust environmental standards, commitment to continual improvement and policy to avoid pollution.
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