How to protect the superyacht playground

Welcome to Yacht Charter Market, the weekly newsletter dedicated to the world of yacht charter.

In today’s newsletter:

• Top story: Blue Marine Foundation on protecting the superyacht playground

• Presented by: Monaco Yacht Show 2026: Experience the Monaco Yacht Show as a VIP Visitor

• Charter Updates: New CA for Victorious | September availability onboard Preference 19 | The French Riviera onboard 79m Mimtee | Last minute availability onboard Lady Beth | Summer isn’t over yet onboard DB9 | Autumn & winter bookings open for Odyssea

• Superyacht Spotlight: “Let’s go for a walk“ 🛥️

TOP STORY

How can you protect the sea you love?

Nearing the end of the Mediterranean charter season, in which we saw hundreds of yachts cruising along southern European coastlines, we wanted to take a moment to stand still by how to preserve this wonderful region. We sat down with Blue Marine Foundation, who have highlighted how, with support from superyacht owners and (charter) guests, they have been able to help preserve these waters that we so love to cruise.

For yacht owners, the Mediterranean is synonymous with unforgettable voyages along some of the most celebrated coastlines in the world. Although it comprises less than one percent of the ocean, the Mediterranean also contains exceptional biodiversity and is home to nearly 18 percent of known marine species.  

Yet this stretch of blue attracting millions of visitors each year is under growing pressure from climate change, acidification, (noise) pollution and invasive species. The greatest threat of all comes from overfishing, through the industrial trawling and dredging that strip the sea of life.  

Across Greece and Italy, Blue Marine Foundation is working with coastal communities, scientists and governments to restore marine ecosystems and strengthen protection for some of the Mediterranean's most important habitats and species. Much of this work is made possible through philanthropic support and contributions from yacht owners who care about the future of the Mediterranean. Financial support enables tangible conservation outcomes: protecting endangered species, strengthening Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and supporting the communities that depend on a healthy sea. 

Greece: Turning protection into reality

Greece has 15,000 km of coastline, which supports some of the Mediterranean's richest marine habitats. Its waters are home to monk seals, dolphins, sea turtles and Posidonia seagrass meadows that store carbon and provide nursery grounds for marine life. Blue Marine works alongside local partners to strengthen marine protected areas, improve fisheries management and ensure that protection delivers real benefits for both wildlife and coastal communities. 

This work requires scientific research, community engagement and long-term funding. It is the type of conservation that philanthropic donations can unlock. For the yachting community, the benefits extend far beyond biodiversity: healthy marine ecosystems support cleaner waters, more abundant marine life and more resilient coastal destinations throughout the Mediterranean.

Restoring one of Greece's most important wetlands 

On Greece's western coast, the Amvrakikos Gulf provides a powerful example of what targeted conservation investment can achieve. The gulf is home to dolphins, rays and sea turtles. It also serves as an important nursery area for marine life, but years of environmental degradation have placed the ecosystem under severe pressure. Parts of the gulf are experiencing oxygen depletion, threatening both biodiversity and local livelihoods. 

Blue Marine and its partners are working to reverse this decline through scientific monitoring, habitat restoration, sustainable fisheries management and community engagement. The goal is not simply to protect wildlife. It is to restore the ecological health of the entire region and create a more resilient future for the communities that depend on it.

Building protection in the Aeolian Islands 

North of Sicily, Blue Marine is supporting efforts to establish the first MPA in the Aeolian archipelago. The project centres on Salina, where fishers, local businesses, schools and community leaders have come together around a shared vision for the future of their waters. 

Blue Marine has helped establish the Association of the Responsible Fishers of Salina Island and supported practical measures that improve the value of catches while reducing pressure on fish stocks. Named Salina Blue Island, the project demonstrates that successful conservation is built with communities, not imposed upon them. 

Strengthening protection across Italy 

Despite Italy's extraordinary marine biodiversity, less than one percent of its waters are effectively protected. Earlier this year, Blue Marine and partners called on the Italian government to ratify the UN Global Ocean Treaty and strengthen protection for the country's seas. 

At the same time, Blue Marine is delivering practical conservation where it counts. In the Torre Guaceto MPA, underwater anti-trawling devices protect vulnerable seabed habitats. In Sardinia, new mooring systems help prevent anchor damage to sensitive ecosystems. In Sicily and the Pelagie Islands, fishers and divers have worked together to improve protection for sharks and rays. More than 1,000 kg of ghost fishing gear and marine waste have also been removed from protected waters.  

Each of these achievements required investment from our donors, local and regional partnership and long-term commitment.  

Investing in the future of the Mediterranean 

The Mediterranean's future is not yet decided. Across the region, Blue Marine's projects show that marine ecosystems can recover when protection is properly funded and supported. Fish populations return, habitats regenerate and coastal communities become more resilient.  

The places that define the yachting experience, from the Aeolian Islands to the Greek archipelago, depend on healthy marine ecosystems. Blue Marine’s conservation work is an opportunity to invest directly in the environment that provides such a dazzling backdrop to the pleasures of life aboard an elegant vessel.  

By supporting Blue Marine, yacht owners can help ensure those timeless havens of Mediterranean beauty continue to thrive for generations to come.

Presented by Monaco Yacht Show 2026

Experience the Monaco Yacht Show as a VIP Visitor

Monaco Yacht Show | 23–26 September 2026

Monaco Yacht Show returns for its 35th edition this September (23 – 26) presenting 118 superyachts over 24 metres in Port Hercule. More than a third will be making their debut, giving you first access to the newest vessels available for charter before they're fully booked for the season.

The four-day event brings together the yachts, designers, crew, and specialists who can answer your questions directly. Whether you're drawn to 100-metre classics with proven track records or interested in exploring the latest sustainable designs and innovative layouts, you'll find serious options and the expertise to evaluate them properly. It's a rare chance to compare vessels side-by-side and understand what differentiates one charter experience from another.

Beyond the yachts themselves, The Designer Gallery showcases the creative minds shaping interiors and exteriors, while The Adventure Area displays more than 50 tenders and toys - the equipment that defines your actual time on the water. From high-performance RIBs to submarine experiences, this is where you assess what comes with your charter.

The MYS VIP Programme

The MYS VIP Programme handles the logistics for any exceptional experience: early access before crowds arrive, dedicated hospitality spaces to regroup between viewings, and courtesy transport when needed. The Upper Deck Lounge by Fairmont provides a well-placed lunch option with clear views across the marina, while organised bay tours let you see shortlisted yachts from the water.

For anyone seriously considering a superyacht charter, Monaco offers something straightforward: the vessels, the people who run them, and the environment to make informed decisions.

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