Ahead of the start of its 2023-24 Antarctic season later this month, Australian-owned expedition company Aurora Expeditions has announced new developments to the dining options on board its vessels, in line with the operator’s Sustainability in Action programme.
Passengers travelling on the expedition company’s two purpose-built vessels, the Greg Mortimer and the Sylvia Earle, this Antarctic season will enjoy new options from Aurora’s Sustainable Food Program, including locally sourced organic fruit, vegetables and dairy products, free-range chicken and eggs, Argentinian grass-fed beef and a selection of other local products from Argentina.
In addition, all seafood will be certified by internationally recognised certification bodies, while fish eggs and tuna will be removed from the menus on both ships due to concerns about overfishing and the need to protect the ocean’s ecological balance. This initiative is in addition to the Sustainable Sea Day already in place on the Sylvia Earle, where seafood is not available on day 6 of each voyage in honour of the ship’s namesake and her advocacy for the protection and regeneration of our oceans.
“As our Antarctic voyages are predominantly based in Argentina, it was important for us to work with local producers and farmers from the area to ensure we provide fresh, high quality ingredients for our passengers while minimising our food miles,” said Michael Heath, Chief Executive Officer, Aurora Expeditions. “The introduction of these sustainable food initiatives is the result of a comprehensive review of our supply chains and is an important part of our continued progress to become the leader in sustainable expedition travel.”
Founded 32 years ago on the principles of discovery and exploration, Aurora takes passengers on expeditions to some of the world’s most fragile and pristine wilderness destinations. Recognising its responsibility to protect these important ecosystems, the company published its first Impact Report earlier this year, which provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s efforts to embed sustainable practices in all areas of its business to date, as well as its future goals.