Posted on September, 03 2004

Gland, Switzerland - WWF and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines, one of the world's shipping leaders, have recently signed an agreement that will promote conservation of the high seas — areas of the open ocean outside a nation's exclusive economic zone. 
 
The three-year agreement aims to strengthen the work of WWF's global Marine Programme on high seas conservation and WWF-Norway’s Endangered Seas Programme. Wallenius Wilhelmsen's welcome support will help WWF work to improve high seas governance as well as creating and developing practical conservation solutions, such as High Seas Marine Protected Areas (HSMPAs). WWF's high seas conservation strategy also aims to reduce the threats of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and to develop means to better manage global tuna fishing fleets and reduce bycatch of marine species like dolphins, marine turtles, and sharks. 
 
The WWF-Wallenius Wilhelmsen cooperation comes at a time when governments of the world are being lobbied by scientists and the conservation community to take immediate action to protect the resources of the deep sea from bottom trawling. In recent years, scientists have discovered cold water coral reef systems that have taken thousands of years to develop, only to be destroyed in a few hours by trawling. Seamounts — underwater sea mountains that host high biodiversity and numerous fish stocks — have also come under threat in recent years as fishermen seek new places to catch dwindling numbers of fish. 
 
"By joining forces, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines and WWF will be making a significant contribution to securing marine conservation in the last frontier of the oceans, the high seas," said Simon Cripps, director of WWF's Global Marine Programme. "WWF is pleased to be working with such a forward-thinking company that recognizes the importance of conserving the open ocean, a global resource for all users." 
 
Wallenius Wilhelmsen provides global ocean transportation and logistics management services to customers that expect timely and predictable deliveries. The company also transports vehicles, heavy equipment, project cargo, and non-containerized cargo, as well as manages the outbound supply chain for vehicle, construction, and agricultural manufacturers. 
 
"Care of the marine environment has been a fundamental concern of Wallenius Wilhelmsen throughout its existence," said Lena Bolmqvist of Wallenius Wilhelmsen's Environmental and Fleet Performance department. "We already make considerable efforts in our daily operations to minimize our impact on the environment with regard to emissions, as well as trying to influence the industries we work with in, especially the oil sector. 
 
"Our global sponsorship of WWF is an important step in taking our clean environmental message to the market and in helping us to motivate our business partners and employees to support our initiatives in delivering the difference on the environment," she added. "We go beyond current legislation and are working towards a cleaner marine landscape for tomorrow." 

Further information:
Peter Bryant, Communications Manager 
WWF's global Marine Programme
Tel.: +41 22 364 9028
 
Graham Minton, Head, Corporate Marketing
WWF International
Tel.: +41 22 364 9316

Knut Frederik Horn, Head of Marketing
WWF-Norway
Tel.: +47 22 03 65 00