(LONDON, March 11th) The Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 2020 when he was Prince of Wales, has announced that former Secretary of State, John Kerry has joined the Ocean Stewardship Initiative (OSI) as a Champion. The initiative is proud to welcome one of the world’s most respected public leaders and diplomats to support a clear purpose: to bring civil societies, governments, and the private sector to pull in the same direction, and help turn ocean commitments into practical, measurable progress.
The initiative brings together governments, civil society and the private sector to help translate global ocean commitments into practical and measurable progress.
The Ocean Stewardship Initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Aker BioMarine and Aker QRILL Company. Together, the partners support practical stewardship in Antarctica, with an initial focus on helping build support for the proposed Antarctic Peninsula Marine Protected Area (MPA), alongside stronger stewardship over time.
The proposed MPA, currently under consideration within the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), would cover around seventy per cent of the Antarctic Peninsula and would be established alongside a modern, science-based krill fishery management framework.
John Kerry, Ocean Stewardship Initiative Champion, said:
“I’m proud to use my experience to help governments, NGOs and the private sector pull together for our ocean. Collaboration brings results. Conflict brings the opposite. If we want progress that lasts, we have to work together, and show proof.”
Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, said:
“The ocean needs more than ambition. It needs cooperation that leads to real progress. Through OSI, we bring together responsible business, governments, science and civil society to support delivery. We are delighted to welcome John Kerry as an OSI Champion, and we value our collaboration with MSC, Aker BioMarine and Aker QRILL Company as we work to help move ocean protection forward.”
Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine and Chair of Aker QRILL Company, said:
“Marine Protected Areas are becoming an increasingly important part of global ocean governance. For industry, the question is how to engage constructively in shaping solutions that protect ecosystems while allowing for responsible use of marine resources. Initiatives like this create a platform for that kind of collaboration.”
The Ocean Stewardship Initiative was launched to strengthen cooperation between governments, industry, science and civil society and to help translate global ocean commitments into practical action.