He sang about being the son of the son of a sailor. He also loved the yachting lifestyle, owning a dozen different vessels like Continental Drifter II over three decades. Most importantly, he was devoted to ocean and coastal conservation. These are the reasons why the International SeaKeepers Society is honoring Jimmy Buffett as its SeaKeeper of the Year at its annual Founders Event next month.
Set for October 30, the Founders Event celebrates the impact of individuals and organizations driving real change for the ocean. Marine scientists, yacht owners and industry representatives, and conservation champions all attend.
Buffett, who died in 2023 at the age of 76, earned renown for mixing music, storytelling, and philanthropy throughout his life. He especially devoted himself to marine conservation. In fact, he co-founded the well-known Save the Manatees Club in 1981. It was an era in which few people paid attention to the threats to the marine mammal. From waterway signs warning boaters to slow down to creating marine sanctuaries, the club’s impact continues being felt.
Additionally, Buffett supported The Nature Conservancy and advocated for creating and expanding the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. These efforts particularly focused on protecting coral reefs—something the name of his Coral Reefer Band echoed.
Protecting seagrass beds, sharks, and the ocean itself further were all important to Buffett. To this day, his Margaritaville brand of merchandise, restaurants, and resorts promote environmental awareness and respect. Finally, although his passing meant no longer donating one dollar from every concert ticket to his Singing for Change Foundation (established in 1995), the non-profit continues supporting non-traditional, grassroots organizations focused on their communities that conventional funders might overlook.
Simultaneously, SeaKeepers is honoring Emily Cunningham (below) with its NextGen Award. A marine biologist, Cunningham heads the World Wildlife Fund’s Global River Dolphins initiative in 14 countries. She further co-founded #Motion4theOcean, which drives ocean recovery at the local government level. Additionally, Cunningham works with SeaKeepers to study marine mammals in British waters.
As it does at each Founders Event, SeaKeepers will recognize its Discovery Fleet. The Discovery Fleet includes boats, yachts, and superyachts that support its programs globally. These vessel owners directly and indirectly enable research, citizen science, and educational outreach to occur. For example, some loan their yachts cost-free to scientists to perform much-needed research. Others welcome schoolchildren aboard to learn about their local waters.
The Founders Event includes a cocktail reception, dinner, and formal program, at Pier Sixty-Six. Tickets are available via the SeaKeepers’ website.
International SeaKeepers Society seakeepers.org