SailGP teamed up with the Black Foils and Live Ocean for their first Ocean Impact Project of 2025 to support the restoration of kelp forests in the Hauraki Gulf.
This collaboration leverages sport to raise awareness and drive action for ocean restoration.
The partnership will fund the continuation of the work of Dr Nick Shears and Dr Kelsey Miller of the University of Auckland to regrow kelp forests around the Noises Islands.
The loss of kelp forests means a loss of food supply, shelter, nutrients and habitat.
Ahead of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, SailGP teamed up with the New Zealand SailGP Team, Black Foils and Live Ocean for their first Ocean Impact Project of 2025 which they ran in partnership with Emirates.
The partnership will fund the continuation of the work of Dr Nick Shears and Dr Kelsey Miller of the University of Auckland to regrow kelp forests around the Noises, a chain of islands within the inner Hauraki Gulf.
Although beautiful from the surface, the rocky reefs around the Noises are barren of marine life. Lost through the overfishing of predators like big snapper and crayfish, the once vast kelp forests are gone, replaced by an over-abundance of kina (sea urchins).
The loss of kelp forests means a loss of food supply, shelter, nutrients and habitat for species up and down the food chain. It also means the ocean isn’t storing as much blue carbon; one of the ocean’s critical functions of our planet.
Blair Tuke, co-CEO of the Black Foils and Live Ocean Founder, said: “When you bring a collective group of people together all striving for the same thing, like we have today, they are the moments you feel proud of or inspired about in making real change.”
Peter Burling, co-CEO of the Black Foils and Live Ocean Founder, said: “Sport has this real platform to connect people to the big issues. Through projects like these, it’s really about trying to educate people of what the issues are and to do our bit to help solve them.”
Join our mission to protect the ocean! Stay informed with the latest in ocean conservation, innovation, and science. Sign up now to be part of the solution for a healthier planet.