Following National Geographic Society’s successful expedition to the Pitcairn Islands (UK territory) in the Pacific Ocean, Coty has announced the renewal of the partnership agreement for the Pristine Seas programme between the National Geographic Society and Davidoff Cool Water.
National Geographic, through the Pristine Seas Project, seeks to protect some of the last pristine areas of the oceans and to create marine protected areas.
In 2012, the partnership kicked off with an expedition to the Pitcairn Islands in the Pacific Ocean, led by Dr Enric Sala, a marine ecologist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. 384 dives were conducted in the Pitcairn Islands waters, for a total of 450 person-hours underwater. 40,210 fish, 14,500 algae and 6,300 coral colonies were counted and measured.
The surveys revealed pristine marine ecosystems with intact coral communities and healthy fish populations dominated by top predators such as sharks – thereby demonstrating the global biological value of the Pitcairn Islands waters. The unaltered deep sea habitats of the Pitcairn Islands harbour unique biodiversity, including rare deep sea sharks, and fish species completely new to science.
“The Pitcairn Islands are known for their rich history,” noted Sala. “They are unique because they harbour some of the last pristine coral reefs left on the planet, and are an unexplored deep sea world.”
The findings prompted the Pitcairn community to vote unanimously for the protection of their waters in September 2012. The UK government is now studying a proposal to create what would be the largest marine reserve in the world, around the Pitcairn Islands.
“A Pitcairn Island marine reserve would be the world’s largest, at over 800,000 square kilometres, and would contribute greatly to meeting the agreed international target of protecting 10% of the world’s oceans by 2020,” explained National Geographic’s Executive Vice President for Mission Programs Terry Garcia.
 |
Davidoff channels its marine heritage with two Into the Ocean Summer Editions |
Given the positive results of the partnership in 2012, both DAVIDOFF Cool Water and National Geographic willl continue their relationship within the framework of the Pristine Seas missions for 2013. DAVIDOFF Cool Water will support the new expedition that started offshore Chile on 7 February 2013.
“This relationship with National Geographic is a cornerstone for DAVIDOFF Cool Water,” declared Coty Prestige President Jean Mortier. “The link we have created with the ocean has grown stronger and we feel it is essential to keep working on this partnership.”
This year, the aim is to increase interaction with consumers, so that they too will have the opportunity to join DAVIDOFF Cool Water in supporting the National Geographic Pristine Seas programme. New in-store animations and digital actions will be a key focus.
About the National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest non-profit scientific and educational organisations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programmes; interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com
[houseAd5]
