Talisker and Parley for the Oceans join forces on a mission to protect underwater forests along coastlines worldwide

The oceans cover 70% of our planet’s surface, house more than 99% of the biosphere and play a vital role in sustaining the health of all life – on land and in the seas. We all depend on the oceans, but human impacts have damaged almost every swath of this vast ecosystem. According to a 2018 study, only 13% of the world’s oceans are classified as truly wild, unaltered by intense human activity.

In an effort to help return the oceans to the way they should be, Parley and Talisker Single Malt Whisky are joining forces for a three year partnership and launching ‘Rewild Our Seas’ – a global mission to help restore and protect underwater forests along coastlines. Together, we’ll support the preservation and protection of 100 million square meters of marine ecosystems around the world by 2023.

The partnership supports Parley’s mission to raise awareness for the beauty and fragility of the oceans and work to restore, preserve and protect them for future generations. Kelp plays a critical role in ocean health by sequestering carbon dioxide, regulating pH, harboring microorganisms, and providing habitat and nourishment for marine life and keystone species. With an initial focus on projects protecting kelp forests along the coasts of Scotland, the home of Talisker, the partners will support NGOs working alongside local communities for the preservation of protected areas, reserves and sanctuaries.

“Many of us have forgotten our intimate connection to the ocean. Forgotten how by simply being in the sea alters our genetic diversity. I was taught that nature will always find a balance and if we listen closely, we too have a humble role to play. For me, wildness isn't loud or aggressive. It's about finding stillness. It's about being in harmony with everything around us."

— Dr. Cliff Kapono

To carry out the mission, Talisker and Parley will form alliances with local non-profit organizations around the world, providing grants to further support existing efforts in ocean research and protection, including at the home of Talisker Whisky in Scotland. We’ll work together to conduct innovative research through expeditions to better understand marine ecosystems and solutions to protect them from threats such as climate change. The partnership will also introduce commercial initiatives, including retail promotions, designed to help generate additional funding and support for projects that protect the oceans.

Talisker and Parley will also launch a public fundraising campaign to celebrate the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – a 3000-mile rowing race across the Atlantic. As part of the effort, Parley and Talisker will invite adventurers everywhere to join in and take on personal challenges linked to the ocean with the goal of raising funds for Parley initiatives.

The first distillery on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, Talisker whisky is very much a product of its rugged coastal home. For nearly 200 years, the ocean that surrounds it has created and shaped the signature maritime and briny notes you can taste in its whisky today. This is the first time Talisker has partnered with an environmental organization on a global scale. It builds on the wider initiatives already undertaken by Talisker to improve their environmental performance as part of Diageo’s wider sustainability program. To date and as recently reported in their Annual Report, Diageo has achieved a 50% reduction in carbon emissions and a 46% water efficiency improvement in 2020.