Expedition cruise line Ponant has dispersed its first funding allocation by the Ponant Foundation to support a project in the Australasian region.
It officially recognises a three-year partnership with the Macquarie Island Conservation Foundation.
Established in 2018, the Ponant Foundation aims to help ocean and polar region conservation by supporting projects focusing on research and awareness-raising.
The Foundation has pledged an annual grant to the Macquarie Island Conservation Foundation as a major supporter of its science and research initiatives.
These initiatives are aimed at understanding the impact of climate change on Macquarie Island and its ecosystem.
“We are thrilled to share this three-year partnership activation, aligning with the Foundation’s commitment to protecting the poles and our oceans,” says Deb Corbett, GM Sales & Marketing, Asia Pacific.
“We can’t wait to see what can be achieved in the next three years and beyond.”
Started in July 2023 and due to extend until June 2026, the project will fund and facilitate science and research programs, as well as provide supplementary support to management initiatives, student projects and outreach activities.
Macquarie Island is home to more than 3.5 million breeding seabirds and more than one seventh of the world’s population of elephant seals.
It is the only island in the world composed entirely of oceanic crust and rocks from the mantle.
The Director of Macquarie Island Conservation Foundation, Dr Ben Arthur, said, “Ponant’s commitment will help us protect this precious sub-Antarctic ecosystem and directly support conservation and research.”
