WWF and Ecover set sail with Mike Golding in Vendee Globe.

WWF-UK, the conservation organisation has teamed up with Ecover and leading yachtsman Mike Golding to raise awareness of the issues facing our marine environment. On 9 November Mike Golding competed in the Vendee Globe round the world yacht race, single-handedly circumnavigating the globe and flying the flag for marine conservation.

The race set off from France and took sailors on a route around Africa and across the Antarctic and Southern Ocean, before heading back across the Equator to the Atlantic Ocean. Mike Golding, who is regarded as one of the world’s best offshore racing sailors participated in his yacht, ECOVER 3 displaying the WWF panda logo.

Dr Simon Walmsley, Head of Marine at WWF-UK said: “Our oceans are a valuable resource, supporting a multitude of sea users and a rich variety of marine wildlife. But they are under severe strain and urgently need safeguarding if we are to prevent further biodiversity loss. By teaming up with Ecover and Mike Golding we hope to spread this message further and increase understanding of the need to look after our seas.”

Oceans cover 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface and make up 95 per cent of all the space available to life. Millions of people rely on our seas and coasts every year, not only for leisure and tourism, but also for its rich resources, and the jobs and income generated by maritime industries such as oil and gas, renewable energy, and fishing. In the UK WWF is campaigning for a UK Marine Act to ensure that the different maritime industries operate sustainably without putting the health of our seas at risk.

A special website has been created by Ecover www​.ecover​-vendeeglobe​.com that will enable race followers to track Mike’s progress in the race and follow his route across the globe. An interactive map provides facts from WWF about some of the threats to the regions Mike will be sailing through, such as overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change.

Mick Bremans, MD of Ecover comments: “Ecover are delighted to be taking the WWF Panda around the world. Mike Golding and ECOVER III will be working in harmony with the power of the marine environment and it is vital to us to spread messages about how to protect it.”

Mike Golding is the first person to have raced around the world in both directions and the only British person ever to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions. He has sailed around the world five times and crossed the Equator 17 times, so well understands the global pressures facing our marine environment.

Mike Golding said: “Over the past 16 years I have been around the world five times, so it has been interesting to see the changes over this period. It is really important that we continue to protect our oceans, they are truly awesome and I would like to see my son being able to enjoy them as I have.”

For further information on WWF-UK’s Marine Act campaign please visit www​.wwf​.org​.uk/​m​a​r​i​n​e​act

Debbie Chapman, tel: 01483 412397, 07771 818685, email: mailto:dchapman@wwf.org.uk