Editors Comments: Week Ending 23/01/2015
BLUE is the primary NGO working to protect the waters on which we all so heavily rely, and an interview with Cindy Forde before the annual Top 100 highlighted the urgency behind their cause. The figures behind overfishing are staggering, and the fact that our species has grown to a level which nature can not compete is a very real problem we can’t afford to ignore.
Based in London, BLUE has a list of projects underway across the world and are already making a difference. After the release of the highly-acclaimed movie ‘End of the Line’, BLUE worked tirelessly on their mission to raise the protected percentage of oceans across the world from 1.8% to 2.8%, with the aim of reaching 10% by 2020.
This is no easy task, given that 71% of the Earth’s surface is water and that the life within it covers 80% of all life on earth. BLUE are responsible for securing $12m for marine conservation work, protecting an area more than twice the size of the UK, brought globally acclaimed brands and ambassadors on board to support the cause and has developed a global portfolio of projects stretching from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean.
It was a true pleasure to work with BLUE during the Top 100 once again, and we look forward to covering each step the foundation takes toward their goals inside and out of the superyacht industry.
Speaking of industry, there has been significant change across the board with major shipyards announcing new strategies and appointments. Patrick Coote joined us last week to discuss the change in management taking affect as of March 1st; CEO of Proteksan Turquoise sat with us to discuss the new acquisition of the yard by Oceanco owner and chairman Dr. Mohammed Al Barwani; and CRN also announced a significant shift up in their industrial plans for 2015.
I’m sure I said this a lot before the turn of the year, but I’m now confident that this is going to be an exciting year for both industry and NGO alike.
Image © Paul Colley
