The Burgess guide to Palma International Boat Show
Burgess marine conservation programme: Protecting oceans and restoring seagrass
Published 05 janvier 2026
The health of our oceans is fundamental to the future of yachting. Through the Burgess Marine Conservation Programme, we are working to support projects that protect marine ecosystems, restore critical habitats, and promote long-term ocean sustainability.
In partnership with Blue Marine Foundation, the programme channels funding from Burgess and its clients into initiatives focused on marine conservation, biodiversity protection, and seagrass restoration in key yachting regions.
Each client that we work with is also invited to join this vital conservation effort by matching – or exceeding – the Burgess donation. The programme is optional for our clients, and we hope that it will become standard to contribute to ocean conservation as part of a yachting holiday.
Jonathan Beckett, Burgess CEO, says, 'I am excited to be able to offer this initiative to our clients. The team has been working hard to ensure we have a policy that is workable, transparent and supports an organisation that has done great work in its field. I am very hopeful for a high take up from our clients.'
At Burgess, we also contribute to Blue Marine Foundation by paying a fee against all our company travel, for our 250+ strong global team.
Burgess Partner for ESG Georgina Menheneott explains, 'We have committed to making our sustainability strategy central to how we do business. Over the past few years we have been breaking new ground with Blue Marine Foundation. We still have a lot more to do, but it’s been really exciting to see our words already becoming action.'
Why marine conservation matters to the yachting industry
Healthy oceans are essential to the destinations that yacht owners and charter guests explore. Coral reefs, seagrass meadows and coastal ecosystems support marine life, protect shorelines and create the extraordinary environments that define many of the world’s most desirable cruising grounds.
Supporting marine conservation initiatives helps safeguard these environments while ensuring the long-term future of sustainable yachting and responsible yacht ownership.
The Burgess x Blue Marine funding pipeline has two sources:
1. Marine Conservation Fee
Burgess puts money back into ocean conservation as a proportion of what we earn across the Burgess services. We ask clients to join us in paying a Marine Conservation Fee, which is calculated according to the business we do for them. The fee goes directly to Blue Marine projects in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.
2. A fee on all company travel
We also pay a fee to counteract the impact of our company travel. This goes to Blue Marine’s core funding, which keeps the organisation running.
Seagrass: A vital ecosystem worth protecting
Seagrass meadows are among the most important ecosystems in the ocean. These underwater habitats support marine biodiversity, provide nursery grounds for fish, and help stabilise coastal environments.
Despite their importance, seagrass ecosystems are disappearing globally due to pollution, coastal development, and unsustainable fishing practices. Protecting and restoring these habitats is a key part of strengthening ocean ecosystems and improving coastal resilience.
How does seagrass restoration work?
Marine scientists identify degraded seagrass habitats and carefully replant shoots or seeds in suitable locations. These areas are monitored over time to ensure the seagrass establishes successfully and begins supporting marine life.
Can damaged seagrass be restored?
Yes. When environmental conditions are right and damaging pressures are reduced, seagrass ecosystems can recover. Restoration projects often combine replanting with protection measures such as marine protected areas and sustainable fishing practices.
How does seagrass capture carbon?
Seagrass plays an important role in storing blue carbon. These ecosystems absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and trap it in their root systems and surrounding sediments, helping reduce carbon in the atmosphere and contributing to the fight against climate change.
Our commitment
Protecting marine ecosystems requires long-term commitment and collaboration. Burgess continues to support projects that strengthen ocean health through the Marine Conservation Programme.
The Burgess x Blue Marine Foundation initiative was born out of a desire to give back, to leverage the business to support ocean conservation was the natural next step. From the first discussions with the Blue Marine team through to launching in 2020, this work has been driven by the Burgess Blue Oceans team and supported by the Burgess Management Board.
'We pride ourselves on strong corporate governance in Burgess,' says Georgina. 'A project like this is only possible with dedication and hard work from the bottom up and an acceptance of our corporate social responsibility from the top down. We have a great team and in Blue Marine we have an ideal partnership.'
Clare Brook, Blue Marine Foundation’s CEO, says, 'Blue Marine is delighted that Burgess is encouraging their clients to take account of their environmental impact through this exciting initiative. Burgess’ donations will support our projects in the Maldives and the Mediterranean, working to safeguard marine life from overexploitation. Together we can and will affect postive change.'
Blue Marine Foundation’s mission is to see at least 30 percent of the world’s ocean under effective protection by 2030 and the other 70 percent managed in a responsible way. They work using a combination of top-down intervention to improve governance of our seas and bottom-up project delivery to help local communities who are at the front line of ocean conservation.
Key strategic interventions include securing marine protected areas to ensure the protection of at least 30 percent of the ocean by 2030; developing models of sustainable fishing proving that low-impact fishing benefits marine life, local fishers and communities; and restoring marine habitats to revive and protect vulnerable and threatened species and to sequester carbon.
Looking ahead: Long-term commitment to ocean protection
The Burgess Marine Conservation Programme continues to evolve as new conservation priorities emerge. By working with organisations such as Blue Marine Foundation, Burgess supports projects that protect marine biodiversity, restore habitats and strengthen the resilience of ocean ecosystems.
Through this programme, Burgess aims to help yacht owners and charter clients contribute to responsible yachting while protecting the environments that make the world’s cruising destinations so extraordinary.
Burgess Blue Oceans (BBO) was born out of a need to make a change. The good health of the world’s oceans not only allows us to work in this exceptional industry, but also it is the source of all life on our planet. We know that our business has a direct impact on the environment and we have a responsibility to use our business as a force for good: To reduce that impact, and work to create a more sustainable superyacht industry.
The BBO team is made up of staff working across every Burgess service, representing each department from new builds and sales to marketing and finance.
Learn more about Burgess’ sustainability initiatives
In whatever way we choose to be part of this exceptional industry, we can all be guardians of our oceans.
To learn more about the Burgess Marine Conservation Programme and how yacht owners and charter clients can support ocean protection, contact a Burgess broker or explore our wider sustainability initiatives.
Frequently asked questions
Why is seagrass important to marine ecosystems?
Seagrass meadows provide habitat and nursery grounds for many marine species while stabilising sediments and improving water quality.
What is blue carbon?
Blue carbon refers to carbon captured and stored by ocean ecosystems such as seagrass, mangroves, and salt marshes.
Why is marine conservation important for yacht owners?
Healthy oceans protect the environments that yacht owners and charter guests enjoy while supporting sustainable fisheries, biodiversity, and coastal resilience.
To find out more about Burgess x Blue Marine through yachts for sale and yachts for charter, please contact a Burgess broker. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London, Monaco, New York, Miami, Singapore or all other locations.
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