Join Major Marine Tours in celebrating World Oceans Day on June 8th! On this day, people around the world come together to celebrate and protect our oceans. Healthy oceans are critical to a healthy planet. As a company that explores the incredible marine ecosystems and wildlife of Alaska, Major Marine Tours is committed to doing what we can to protect our oceans.
Visit the World Oceans Day website to search for events in your area. In Seward, the Alaska SeaLife Center will be hosting special activities all day. Can’t make it to an event? You can make a big difference in the health of our oceans by educating yourself and making simple changes to reduce your impact on the ocean. This year’s conservation focus for World Oceans Day is reducing plastic pollution. Visit the World Oceans Day website for lots of resources on the impacts of plastics on our oceans and ways in which you can reduce your plastic use.
Environmental responsibility is one of the guiding principles of Major Marine Tours. We are committed to protecting and preserving Alaska’s wildlife and landscapes. Here are some of the ways that we protect our oceans:
REDUCING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC
Single-use plastic can be detrimental to the environment and is particularly harmful to marine animals. Over 8 million tons of plastic ends up in the ocean every year, and about 90% of that is single-use plastic. We are currently working on ways to reduce or eliminate the use of single-use plastics, such as:
RESPONSIBLE WHALE WATCHING PRACTICES: WHALE SENSE
Major Marine Tours is a proud participant of Whale SENSE, a voluntary education and recognition program sponsored by NOAA Fisheries and Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Whale SENSE recognizes whale watching companies that are committed to responsible whale watching practices. Major Marine Tours has committed to the following Whale SENSE guidelines:
Encourage ocean stewardship.
OUR VESSELS
All of our vessels comply with current Environmental Protection Agency and Coast Guard regulations regarding emissions, and several of our vessels have been outfitted with environmentally-friendly engines and other innovations to further reduce emissions and save fuel. The Star of the Northwest, Spirit of Adventure, Orca Song, and our new vessel the Kenai Fjords 360 are equipped with EPA Tier III fuel-efficient and low emissions engines, and the Viewfinder is equipped with an EPA Tier II fuel-efficient and low emissions engine. The Glacier Express has a platinum injection system to further reduce emissions. We will continue to invest in technology to reduce fuel usage, emissions, noise, and wake.
We use environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions, Coast Guard-approved sewage treatment systems, biodegradable wildlife-safe hydraulic oil, and eco-friendly vessel bottom coatings. All engine oils are recycled and used as heating fuel for buildings. We recycle when possible and promote recycling on our cruises.
