Hurtigruten Guests Contribute to Help Endangered Georgian Seabirds

Proceeds from Auctions Aboard Arctic and Antarctic-Bound Ship Help Protect Fragile Environment

Seattle, August 2014 – Hurtigruten guests have donated nearly $250,000 since 2005 for charitable organizations in Greenland and Antarctica, two popular expedition destinations for the award-winning cruise company. A large portion of this money, raised through auctions aboard Hurtigruten's expedition ship MS Fram, has gone to the South Georgian Heritage Trust (SGHT) to help endangered seabirds on the Antarctic island of Georgia.

Owing to its unique fauna, Georgia is considered the “Serengeti of the southern ocean.” The exotic island is one of the most important breeding and nesting grounds in the Antarctic region. In recent decades, however, the island's seabird population has been increasingly threatened by rats. “Rats were introduced to the area by sealing and whaler ships in the last century,” explains Jørn Henriksen, Hurtigruten's Environmental Manager. “Over the years, they have spread across much of the island, feeding on seabird eggs and destroying nesting areas.” Seabirds including storm petrels, prions, blue and diving petrels began to disappear.

When the South Georgian Heritage Trust launched an ambitious rescue mission in aid of the island's bird population in 2007, Hurtigruten stepped up to help by holding auctions on the MS Fram. Souvenirs auctioned to guests on board include the captain's uniform jacket, the ship's flag and the chart that shows the route of the ship and which has been signed by the navigation officer.

“Participating and donating money to help protect wildlife in this region is an important, hands-on way to help protect the environment,” says Henriksen. The proceeds from the auctions on the Fram have financed the fight against the rat infestation in nesting sites covering more than 200 square kilometers in South Georgia. For the first time in several decades, these regions have once again become a safe breeding and nesting area for the seabirds. Overall, rats have been eliminated from two thirds of South Georgia's 36,380 square kilometers of land. Ducks, pipits and other seabirds have returned to their traditional nesting areas.

Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition voyages, sailing to the most remote of destinations, including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic's Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway's coast and Europe in the spring and fall.  The company's fleet of 12 intimate ships, which each carry 100 to 646 guests, allows travelers to enjoy the scenery and culture of the destination in a relaxed atmosphere. 

Additional information, brochures and reservations can be obtained from travel agents or Hurtigruten's visitor-friendly website, www.hurtigruten.us; by phone at 877-301-3117; or fax at 888-524-2145.  To order brochures 24 hours a day, call 800-582-0835.

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HTN-24-August 2014