PONANT and Macquarie Island Foundations’ Announce Funding Initiative

PONANT, the global leader in luxury expeditions, has embarked on a three-year partnership with the Macquarie Island Conservation Foundation in a bold move to safeguard the world’s oceans and polar regions. This collaboration marks the PONANT Foundation’s first funding allocation to support a project in the Australasian region.

Established in 2018, the PONANT Foundation is committed to preserving the pristine beauty of the oceans and polar regions. It achieves this by supporting projects that focus on research, raising awareness, and conserving the areas visited on their small-ship itineraries. The Foundation has pledged an annual grant to the Macquarie Island Conservation Foundation, becoming a major supporter of its science and research initiatives. These initiatives aim to understand the impact of climate change on Macquarie Island and aid in ecosystem recovery post-pest eradication.

Deb Corbett, General Manager Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific, expressed her excitement about the partnership, “We are thrilled to share this three-year partnership activation with the Macquarie Island Conservation Foundation. This aligns with the PONANT Foundation’s commitment to protecting the poles and our oceans, a key pillar of utilizing a partnership approach. We are proud to contribute to their vital regional research and initiatives and eagerly anticipate the achievements of the next three years and beyond.”

The project, which commenced in July 2023 and is set to extend until June 2026, supports the mission of the Macquarie Island Conservation Foundation. The Foundation aims to ensure the natural and heritage values of Macquarie Island remain protected from threats and conserved for current and future generations. It seeks to fund and facilitate science and research programs and provide supplementary support to management initiatives, student projects, and outreach activities, all of which will benefit the conservation of Macquarie Island.

Mick Fogg, Director of Expeditions and Destination Development at PONANT for Asia Pacific, shared his admiration for Macquarie Island, “Macquarie Island, or ‘Macca’ as it is affectionately known, leaves a lasting impression on all who visit. Home to more than 3.5 million breeding seabirds and over one-seventh of the world’s population of elephant seals, the island was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997 due to its unique geology. It is the only island in the world composed entirely of oceanic crust and rocks from the mantle.”

Dr Ben Arthur, Director of the Macquarie Island Conservation Foundation, expressed his gratitude for PONANT’s support, “The Foundation is delighted to have the support of PONANT, who have strong links to Macquarie Island and its globally unique environment. PONANT’s commitment will help us protect this precious sub-Antarctic ecosystem, connect and inspire people, and directly support conservation and research to benefit this remarkable place.”