From the left: Rupert Howes, CEO of the Marine Stewardship Council; Nina Jensen, CEO of REV Ocean; John Kerry, Champion of the Ocean Stewardship Initiative; Jennifer Jordan‑Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative; and Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine and Chair of Aker QRILL Company.
Photo: Aker BioMarine.
King Charles' Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI)—the world's go-to private sector organization for sustainable transition—has announced that former U.S. 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," read the announcement's release.
Launched last January, just two days after the historic High Seas Treaty came into force—the first legally binding international agreement to safeguard marine life in international waters—the initiative is being developed in collaboration with Aker QRILL Company and its sister company—both independent companies since November 2024—Aker BioMarine, with advice from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
Together, the partners support practical management in Antarctica, with an initial focus on helping to build support for the proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Antarctic Peninsula, along with a progressive strengthening of fisheries management.
Specifically, the proposed MPA, currently under consideration within the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), would cover around 70% of the Antarctic Peninsula and would be established alongside a modern science-based krill fisheries management framework.
The proposal, presented by Argentina and Chile at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York last September, when both Aker QRILL and Aker BioMarine announced their support, aims to protect 455,957 km² of ocean, including krill spawning grounds and key habitats for penguins, seals and whales.
If approved, this Marine Protected Area would become one of the world's largest no-fishing zones and would protect Antarctic mammals. Furthermore, the proposal would increase the total protected area of the Antarctic Ocean by up to 15%, making a significant contribution to the global commitment to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.
"Marine Protected Areas are becoming an increasingly important part of global ocean governance," said Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine and Chair of Aker QRILL Company. "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," he added.
"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," the new Champion of the Ocean Stewardship Initiative, John Kerry, stated for his part.
"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," said Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative. "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," she concluded.