Meet Oceanites – Our New Scientific Penguin Counting Friends
Oceanites, a non-profit scientific and educational foundation, is dedicated to the conservation of our world’s oceans, islands, and wildlife. Their mission involves monitoring penguin populations in Antarctica and Sub-Antarctic regions, conducting the only project monitoring the entirety of the Antarctic Peninsula and assisting in the long-term protection of this fragile ecosystem.
We are delighted to announce that we are teaming up with Oceanites for a critical partnership in Scientific Penguin Population Monitoring. Oceanites Scientists and Representatives will be joining our Citizen Science program throughout our 23/24 season as we embark on expeditions to the Southern Ocean to assist in their oceanographic research, specifically in counting penguins.
Counting penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula
Monitoring penguin colonies in Antarctica with Oceanities
The Oceanites team will accompany us as we venture south to the Antarctic Circle, collecting vital data essential for internationally recognized research institutions. This scientific data is subsequently shared on a global scale, benefiting governments, universities, the scientific community, and even the tourism and krill-fishing industries. Over the past three decades, Oceanites has made comprehensive penguin population data from the Antarctic continent accessible to all, contributing significantly to our understanding of this region.
This research is instrumental in tracking oceanic changes and their impact on these flightless birds. Monitoring keystone species like penguins is pivotal in assessing the health of ecosystems, especially in the Antarctic.
This upcoming 23/24 season will see the Oceanites scientists travel onboard our ship Seaventure, using it as a mobile science platform on the following voyages:
- NOV 20th – Adventures in Antarctica
- NOV 29th – Celebrating Antarctica
- DEC 9th – Celebrating Antarctica
- DEC 19th – Christmas in Antarctica
- DEC 29th – Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica
- JAN 28th – Celebrating Antarctica
- FEB 7th – Crossing the Circle
Traveling on expedition cruise vessels greatly facilitates their work, enabling them to closely monitor penguin colonies each year. As the only environmental non-profit organization with an active science program that receives public support, we are proud to contribute to their database and ongoing analyses, which guide the management and long-term conservation efforts of the Earth’s fragile Antarctic marine ecosystem by Antarctic Treaty countries.
We will also be including Oceanites merchandise and other products in our gift shop, some of which will be up for bidding during our lively on-board charity auctions that happen on every voyage.
Citizen Science in Antarctica
Do you want to travel with Oceanites scientists to Antarctica? There is still limited space on certain departures you can join. Contact your preferred travel professional or reach out to us here.