• Word or Expression...
09/09/2022
RUTGERS AWARDED $12.6 MILLION GRANT TO CREATE OYSTER HABITAT FOR COASTAL RESILIENCE
Rutgers has been awarded $12.6 million by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop an oyster-based shoreline ecosystem to help protect coastlines from storm damage, flooding and erosion.

The Rutgers-led project, “Reefense: A Mosaic Oyster Habitat (MOH) for Coastal Defense,” will focus on oyster reefs in the Gulf Coast and combine novel cements and concretes with state-of-the-art shellfish breeding and the latest ecological engineering of shoreline habitats.
JACQUES COUSTEAU RESERVE - NJ - USA
320
NEWS
07/09/2022
PRINCIPLES FOR ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION TO GUIDE THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE 2021–2030
To support the implementation of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and help achieve its goals, there is a need for a shared vision of ecosystem restoration. A key step in creating a shared vision of ecosystem restoration is to adopt principles that underpin the full set of ecosystem restoration activities....
319
OTHER INFORMATION
05/06/2022
INTEGRATING CLIMATE CHANGE INTO MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA) MANAGEMENT PLANS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1 PM US EDT/10 AM US PDT/5 PM UTC
The highly dynamic shifts in species distributions and transformations of marine ecosystems due to climate change present significant management challenges to marine protected areas (MPAs). While climate change projections can be incorporated into the design process for new MPAs and MPA networks, adaptation is less clear for established MPAs, which were often not designed with climate change impacts in mind. This webinar will explore the results of an analysis that surveyed the integration of climate change measures in existing MPA management plans. The presenter will share what actions are already being taken by MPA managers to anticipate, adapt to, and mitigate the consequences of climate change and ensure the continued effectiveness of MPAs in a changing ocean. They will also discuss how their results create a community-sourced database of actions which other MPAs can draw upon.

Date/Time: Wednesday, July 6, 1 pm US EDT/10 am US PDT/5 pm UTC

Presented by: Vincenzo Corelli of l'Institut national de la recherche scientifique
ONLINE
308
WEBINAR
05/06/2022
MEASURING PROGRESS TOWARDS EFFECTIVE MPAS – INDICATORS AND TOOLS

TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 11 AM US EDT/8 AM US PDT/3 PM UTC/4 PM BST/5 PM CEST
The global target of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 involves not only designation of more areas but also equitable and effective management of designated sites. This webinar will cover recent activity related to assessing protected area management effectiveness (PAME) of MPAs, including: 1) IUCN WCPA’s priorities for work on effectiveness and implementation of MPAs and OECMs so that they achieve conservation outcomes; 2) work to establish indicators for measuring the effectiveness of protected areas and OECMs at the global level; and 3) a brief overview of PAME assessment tools in use and in development for MPAs. Presentations will be followed by a discussion on how the MPA community can come together, share experiences, and collaboratively accelerate the effective implementation of MPAs.

Presented by: Felipe Paredes, Marine Vice Chair of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and National Coordinator for MPAs, Ministry of Environment, Chile; Helen Klimmek, Programme Officer, UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC); and Sue Wells, Chair of the IUCN-WCPA MPA Management Effectiveness Task Force and Independent Consultant

Tuesday, June 21, 11 am US EDT/8 am US PDT/3 pm UTC/4 pm BST/5 pm CEST
ONLINE
306
WEBINAR
30/05/2022
LATEST NEWS AND RESOURCES FOR OCEAN PLANNERS AND MANAGERS
Some news, resources, and stories relevant to MPAs from our recent reading:

- For any graduate students and faculty, here is the marine science graduate school handbook that I wish that I had had! (https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3545&context=msc_facpub)
From our members:



A new book by MPA Help member Charles Clover Rewilding the Sea: How to Save our Oceans will be published on June 9 in the UK. The book contains, among other things, a first-hand account of how the Blue Belt of UK Overseas Territories waters, the largest group of MPAs in the world, was created. It also covers MPAs in Maldives and Mexico. It contains a definition of rewilding the sea, which goes beyond MPAs but includes them, and practical experience of restoration projects across the UK, US, and EU. The book argues that the pristine is not something historical, it can be recreated. The book is written for a general audience, but practitioners can learn from it, not least how to argue the need for MPAs to the general public. In particular, it makes a plea for the protection of the continental shelves from trawling and dredging for carbon reasons.
305
NEWS
30/05/2022
OCTO WEBINAR: THE ONO INDEX: DETECTING NOVEL OCEAN CONDITIONS FOR MPA MANAGEMENT (JUNE 9)
Date/Time: Thursday, June 9, 1 pm US EDT/10 am US PDT/5 pm UTC

A fundamental challenge in ocean conservation is translating the results of climate models into forms that managers and others can use to plan for the future. Using techniques from information theory, the Ocean Novelty (ONo) Index provides a simple and intuitive way to understand how climate change will alter key ocean biogeochemical variables. This measure can help MPA managers know what they need to prioritize in their planning and design policies and regulations that help their MPA keep pace with expected shifts in the ecosystem state. This webinar will share how the ONo Index is calculated and walk through an application for large MPAs. We will also be asking attendees to share their experiences and challenges using climate change data and scenarios in their MPA planning.
304
NEWS
30/05/2022
BOTTOM TRAWLING BANNED IN UK’S DOGGER BANK
And some more context from MPA Help member Jean-Luc Solandt of the Marine Conservation Society

“When the UK was part of the EU, the UK came together with The Netherlands and Germany to protect a key part of the North Sea - the Dogger Bank - between 2010 and 2017. Unfortunately, the part of the site in Danish waters was not agreed for protection by the Danish Government because of pressure from local fishers. (see map and associated fishing pressure) ... [Editor’s note: Please contact Sarah at sarah@octogroup.org to get the graphic.]

The site(s) - as there had to be three - one for each designating member state - were called 'Dogger Bank Special Area of Conservation' and protected the sandbank seabed (as The Bank is a famous shallow bank in a wider sea area), and, in the German portion, also protected the harbour porpoise...

The ensuing discussions between the three conjoined states tried to come up with management measures over the next 4-5 years. In 2019 a proposal was sent to the European Commission to protect only about 5% of the site from seabed trawling. This led to a complaint from WWF-Netherlands and ClientEarth (a legal campaigning body), as they believed this was against the law, and provided no means of recovery of the site. As a result, the measures were scrapped by the European Commission. A subsequent review of the management, ecology, and law by a consortium of EU NGOs (including MCS, Blue Marine Foundation, ClientEarth, and WWF-Netherlands) then called for whole site protection from bottom towed fishing gears. It was peer-reviewed by ecologists and lawyers and published online in 2020 (https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Dogger-Bank-Report-Final.pdf)

In the ensuing years, the UK decided to leave the UK. And from January 2021, after a protected 'leave' (or 'divorce') period from the EU, the UK was then able to make unilateral management measures for its offshore MPAs (that used to be in shared seas with other EU fishing states). An initial proposal was launched in Feb 2021 by the UK government to fully close the UK portion of the Dogger Bank to all forms of mobile bottom contact fishing - 12.300km square of sea - by far the largest closure in an MPA in the North Sea. Finally in April 2022, the measures were announced after some considerable pressure from UK Members of Parliament, scientific and advocacy groups.
A further three sites are closed in this same period in UK offshore seas, whilst UK Government plans to finish the job of applying restrictive management measures for the rest (36 sites) by 2024.
So perhaps - after all, Brexit has some aspects that are positive during these uncertain times. But only time will tell.”
303
NEWS
30/05/2022
INTRODUCTION TO CONSERVATION SOCIAL SCIENCE GROUP PROGRAMME
Do you lead a team that wants to know more about conservation social science? The Human Nature Introduction to Conservation Social Science course is now available as a Group Programme. Maybe you lead a team of staff, coordinate multiple project partners or are part of a network such as PhD students. Your group has a shared mission to contribute solutions to the ecological crises. And you all know that a better understanding of the people affected by your topic will unlock greater conservation impact. This programme will bring your group together to build their knowledge and confidence of conservation social science. For more information and to contact us
302
TRAINING
30/05/2022
NEW SERIOUS GAMES FOR COASTAL AND MARINE CONSERVATION, MANAGEMENT, AND ADAPTATION

OCTO has recently updated its blog on “serious games” for teaching, engaging stakeholders, conducting research, and evaluating public policy. In January 2020, OCTO’s The Skimmer newsletter compiled information about role-playing/simulation games that allow players to experiment with coastal and marine conservation, management, and adaptation actions (or inaction) to improve understanding of how coastal and marine ecosystems – particularly resource users and human communities – work.
With help from the EBM Help and MPA Help community, we have updated that blog with information on five new games. Check out the blog
301
NEWS
30/05/2022
QUESTION: MICROFINANCE PLATFORMS USED BY MPAS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES ?
An MPA Help member recently asked about examples of microfinance platform being used to add value to MPAs and their surrounding communities. If anyone has any examples or suggestions for the member, please send them to sarah@octogroup.org, and we can pass them along!
300
OTHER INFORMATION
30/05/2022
OCTO WEBINAR: INTEGRATING CLIMATE CHANGE INTO MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA) MANAGEMENT PLANS (JULY 6)
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 6, 1 pm US EDT/10 am US PDT/5 pm UTC

Description: The highly dynamic shifts in species distributions and transformations of marine ecosystems due to climate change present significant management challenges to marine protected areas (MPAs). While climate change projections can be incorporated into the design process for new MPAs and MPA networks, adaptation is less clear for established MPAs, which were often not designed with climate change impacts in mind. This webinar will explore the results of an analysis that surveyed the integration of climate change measures in existing MPA management plans. The presenter will share what actions are already being taken by MPA managers to anticipate, adapt to, and mitigate the consequences of climate change and ensure the continued effectiveness of MPAs in a changing ocean. They will also discuss how their results create a community-sourced database of actions which other MPAs can draw upon.
299
WEBINAR
30/05/2022
HELP TEST A NEW TOOL FOR COLLECTING MPA ENTRANCE FEES AND MANAGING VISITS
BlueSeeds is developing a tool to manage visits to protected areas. This tool will provide a system of entry passes and activity licenses accessible on smartphone. This system will address protected site managers’ need to monitor and report on visits, control overcrowding, raise visitors’ awareness of the richness and fragility of a site’s ecosystems, and collect visitor fees. Fees collected can help finance park maintenance and conservation activities. BlueSeeds is currently looking for pilot sites to test and adapt the tool (for free). Protected site managers interested in co-constructing and testing the tool can express their interest at https://blueseeds.org/en/call-for-interest-bluepass. Responses are needed by the end of June to be considered.
298
NEWS
11/04/2022
OCTO WEBINAR: USING REGULATORY DATA TO INFORM MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING EFFORTS (APRIL 28)
Date/Time: Thursday, April 28, 1 pm US EDT/10 am US PDT/5 pm UTC

Being able to access rules and regulations in marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical to understanding which MPAs or OECM (other effective conservation measures) have restrictions in place to meet conservation goals. The ProtectedSeas Navigator mapping project is a one-stop resource for policymakers to find out where MPAs are located as well as discover the existing regulations and evaluate their various levels of protection. This regulations-based tool can be used to inform protection analyses and aid in forecasting other areas that need protection. Currently ProtectedSeas has data for over 15,500 MPAs in more than 106 countries –the only place this comprehensive repository of information and data exists. ProtectedSeas is in a formal public-private partnership with the US NOAA MPA Center. This webinar will be of special interest to MPA managers, resource protection staff, policy makers, scientists, and the conservation community who are interested in assessing ocean conservation regulations and protection metrics.

Co-sponsors: NOAA National MPA Center and OCTO

Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3084128337728440847
297
WEBINAR
11/04/2022
WEBINAR ON OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE AS MARKET FOR OCEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY (APRIL 26)
Ocean Energy Systems (OES) is hosting a public webinar, “Study of Offshore Aquaculture as a Market for Ocean Renewable Energy” on 26 April 2022 from 12:00 – 1:00pm PDT (7:00 – 8:00pm UTC) that will provide an overview of the findings in the “Study of Offshore Aquaculture as a Market for Ocean Renewable Energy” report, which will be published in April by OES. Register for free
296
WEBINAR
11/04/2022
FREE ONLINE COURSE ON EBM AND MSP APRIL 19.
The learning program "Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)" will blend learning activities: mixing pre-recorded videos, live webinars, reading suggestions, peer-to-peer exchanges, and self-evaluation tests. It will conclude with a final assignment on the topics covered during the four weeks of activities.

A tutor will assist participants during the course and seek networking opportunities to support the interaction between speakers and students during the webinars. The learning program is divided into four different learning modules with an expected combined workload of 7-10 hours, including videos, reading activities, questionnaires, webinar attendance, and a final assignment. Registration is currently open, and the course starts April 19.
295
WEBINAR
11/04/2022
FREE ONLINE COURSE ON OCEAN GOVERNANCE 11 APRIL - 2 JUNE 2022
The International Ocean Institute is hosting a free webinar-based course Ocean Governance in the UN Decade of Ocean Science:
Key Issues and Challenges from 11 April - 2 June 2022. This course will challenge participants from around the world to explore key issues in three core areas of ocean governance
-- Law of the Sea, State of the Ocean, and Fisheries, Aquaculture and Food Security
-- through a combination of lectures, discussions, videos, and readings. Aimed primarily at marine professionals with responsibility for some aspect of coastal and ocean management, the course is offered for both live participation (limited availability due to capped class size) and self-paced study, both with a time commitment of ~24 hours plus required preparation. A certificate will be available for those who complete all the course requirements.

294
WEBINAR
21/03/2022
ARCTIC BIODIVERSITY: EU-FUNDED RESEARCH REVEALS NEW LIFE IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN
Climate change is impacting ecosystems in the Arctic. For over a full year, scientists from 20 nations traveled the Artic Ocean onboard the German research vessel Polarstern to better understand climate processes. Important discoveries made by EU-funded scientists during the ‘MOSAiC’ expedition have recently been published in the renowned scientific journal Science Advances...
291
NEWS
21/03/2022
ONE OCEAN SUMMIT: UNESCO PLEDGES TO HAVE AT LEAST 80% OF THE SEABED MAPPED BY 2030
On the occasion of the One Ocean Summit taking place in the French city of Brest, UNESCO has announced that at least 80% of the seabed will be mapped by 2030, compared to 20% currently, with the support of its Member States and the private sector.
290
NEWS
21/03/2022
USING SATELLITE CAMERAS TO REVEAL THE OCEAN’S ACIDITY FROM SPACE
Satellites cameras are vital to our understanding of Earth and its ecosystems. As the effects of climate change intensify and become more obvious, satellite technology and Earth observation tools become more and more important. Using a satellite camera in space, researchers can discover things about the planet that would otherwise be impossible. They can collect data on a huge scale, allowing them to uncover climate patterns and ecosystems at work...
289
NEWS
21/03/2022
DEEP-SEA MINING MAY PUSH HUNDREDS OF SPECIES TO EXTINCTION, RESEARCHERS WARN
New research sees two-thirds of mollusc types only found living by hydrothermal vents added to IUCN’s red list of endangered species...
287
NEWS
21/03/2022
BARELY 15% OF THE WORLD’S COASTAL REGIONS REMAIN ECOLOGICALLY INTACT, STUDY SAYS
Researchers call for safeguards to protect undamaged regions and for urgent work to restore degraded areas...
286
NEWS
21/03/2022
OCEAN AND CLIMATE LITERACY.
ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES AND FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS.
The Ocean Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts, Climate Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts, and supporting documents (found below), present a vision of an ocean and climate-literate society. Many scientists and educators collaborated to produce these resources, building on efforts to define ocean and climate literacy and identify the principles and concepts that should be included in K-12 curricula. A practical resource for educators, these guides outline the knowledge required to be considered ocean and climate literate...
284
NEWS
21/03/2022
THE "GAME OF TRAWLS": SMART FISHING NETS COULD SAVE MILLIONS OF SEA CREATURES
To reduce the number of marine species that are unintentionally caught in fishing nets, French oceanographic institution Ifremer is testing smart trawls. It is hoped these trawls will be able to sort fish in the water, before the fishing gear is brought on board, which will reduce unnecessary deaths...
280
NEWS
18/03/2022
ALLEN CORAL ATLAS ADDS MARITIME BOUNDARIES
Maritime boundaries are now available on the Allen Coral Atlas. With the new data feature, you can view and download reef data for a specific country. The source of these boundaries is the Flanders Marine Institute’s EEZ Boundaries dataset. In additional Marine Protected Area Boundaries (from WDPA) are also available.

https://allencoralatlas.org/atlas/#10.63/2.4799/73.1262

https://marineregions.org/eez.php
279
NEWS
18/03/2022
OCTO WEBINAR: USING REGULATORY DATA TO INFORM MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING EFFORTS (APRIL 28)
Presented by: Deirdre Brannigan of ProtectedSeas

Date/Time: Thursday, April 28, 1 pm US EDT/10 am US PDT/5 pm UTC

Description: Being able to access rules and regulations in marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical to understanding which MPAs or OECM (other effective conservation measures) have restrictions in place to meet conservation goals. The ProtectedSeas Navigator mapping project is a one-stop resource for policymakers to find out where MPAs are located as well as discover the existing regulations and evaluate their various levels of protection. This regulations-based tool can be used to inform protection analyses and aid in forecasting other areas that need protection. Currently ProtectedSeas has data for over 15,500 MPAs in more than 106 countries –the only place this comprehensive repository of information and data exists.
ProtectedSeas is in a formal public-private partnership with the US NOAA MPA Center. This webinar will be of special interest to MPA managers, resource protection staff, policy makers, scientists, and the conservation community who are interested in assessing ocean conservation regulations and protection metrics.

Co-sponsors: NOAA National MPA Center and OCTO
278
WEBINAR
18/03/2022
OCTO BLOG: WHAT MPA PLANNERS AND MANAGERS SHOULD DO ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE RIGHT NOW
OCTO recently published a blog featuring one of the MPA Help community’s recent discussions on practical, tangible things MPA practitioners can/should do right now to make a difference in the face of global climate change. Access the blog here, and please share with colleagues and networks.
277
NEWS
18/03/2022
ICES SURVEY ON PRESENCE AND IMPACT OF PLASTIC ADDITIVES IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Plastic polymers contain a wide range of additives and solvents, required in the production of plastic items or to create specific features. When plastics end up in the environment, the additives may enter the ecosystem through leaching. The ecotoxicological effects that plastics additives can exert depend on different factors e.g., environmental concentration, toxicity, bioaccumulation, persistency, and polarity.



Three scientific expert working groups of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) aim to assess the presence and impact of different plastic additives in the marine environment to develop a risk assessment. You and your colleagues are requested to participate in a survey on the use and environmental risks of plastic additives:

The survey will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Upon completion and analysis of the questionnaire responses, participants will be able to access the results. Please contact Christopher Pham at christopher.k.pham@uac.pt with any questions or concerns.
276
NEWS
18/03/2022
ACCELERATING SOLUTIONS FOR A RESILIENT COAST
virtual conference :

Building on the success of past conferences from 2015-2021, this virtual conference will connect coastal planners, managers, practitioners, funders, and decision-makers to share lessons learned and strategies for building coastal resilience.
275
CONFERENCE
14/03/2022
AU MEXIQUE, LA "RÉSURRECTION" DU POISSON TÉQUILA, ESPÈCE EN DANGER CRITIQUE
Grâce à un processus de réintroduction, le poisson téquila, espèce en danger critique d'extinction, connait un retour inespéré dans les eaux du fleuve Teuchitlan au Mexique. Une bonne nouvelle pour ce poisson et son écosystème dont il constitue un "élément clé".
267
NEWS
14/03/2022
FACE À LA MONTÉE DU NIVEAU DE LA MER, L’EXEMPLE DE MIQUELON, VILLAGE EN COURS DE « DÉPLACEMENT »
Le rapport des experts climat de l’Onu (Giec), publié ce lundi 28 février 2022, dresse un tableau sombre des impacts du réchauffement climatique pour l’humanité, auxquels elle n’est pas suffisamment préparée. Comment s’adapter aux changements en cours et à venir ? Cap sur l’archipel de Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, confronté à l’élévation du niveau de la mer.
266
NEWS
14/03/2022
CHANGEMENT CLIMATIQUE : LES VILLES CHERCHENT COMMENT AFFRONTER LA MONTÉE DU NIVEAU DES MERS
Djakarta, Houston, Lagos… une trentaine de villes côtières ont signé, le 10 février, une déclaration commune pour accélérer leur transformation face au réchauffement climatique.
265
NEWS
01/03/2022
USING REGULATORY DATA TO INFORM MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING EFFORTS
Presented by: Deirdre Brannigan of ProtectedSeas

Description: Being able to access rules and regulations in marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical to understanding which MPAs or OECM (other effective conservation measures) have restrictions in place to meet conservation goals. The ProtectedSeas Navigator mapping project is a one-stop resource for policymakers to find out where MPAs are located as well as discover the existing regulations and evaluate their various levels of protection. This regulations-based tool can be used to inform protection analyses and aid in forecasting other areas that need protection. Currently ProtectedSeas has data for over 15,500 MPAs in more than 106 countries –the only place this comprehensive repository of information and data exists. ProtectedSeas is in a formal public-private partnership with the US NOAA MPA Center. This webinar will be of special interest to MPA managers, resource protection staff, policy makers, scientists, and the conservation community who are interested in assessing ocean conservation regulations and protection metrics.
ONLINE
261
NEWS
01/03/2022
VERRA STANDARDS FOR SUSTAINABILITY, RESILIENCE, AND CARBON (INCLUDING BLUE CARBON, COASTAL RESILIENCE, AND PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION)
Presented by: Sinclair Vincent, Anna Mortimer, and Kristen Linscott of Verra

Description: Verra is a nonprofit organization that develops and provides standards that drive investment toward high-impact activities addressing environmental and social challenges across the globe. The rigorous process to meet Verra’s standards include independent verification and issuance of claims and credits. Verra’s standards are employed by a broad variety of governments, corporations and other private actors, and NGOs around the world. This webinar will present Verra’s programs in climate and sustainability focusing on standards in Blue Carbon to sequester carbon dioxide, Coastal Resilience to improve protection of human and environmental assets, and Plastic Waste Reduction to reduce waste ending up in the environment and incentivize recycling.
ONLINE
260
WEBINAR
01/03/2022
NEW TOOL FOR ASSESSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF WAVE ENERGY PROJECTS
Presented by: Ibon Galparsoro of AZTI

Description:
Marine renewable energies are gaining momentum around the world due to the need to develop safe energy sources that can help the world decarbonize and fight climate change. However, the full potential of energy from waves, currents and wind has yet to be tapped - in part due to uncertainty about how energy conversion devices may impact the marine environment. AZTI has developed a new tool – the WEC-ERA Tool – to assess the ecological risk of wave energy converters. This is an open-access tool for managers, decisionmakers, industry and others to evaluate the environmental risks associated with new wave energy projects. The tool evaluates how three different wave power conversion technologies - oscillating water column, oscillating wave surge converters, and wave turbines - affect the ecosystem. The system addresses all phases of the lifecycle of those power conversion technologies, from installation to operation to dismantling. This tool is intuitive and easy to use. The characteristics of the proposed installation are entered (i.e., number of units, total authorized surface, installed production capacity in megawatts, project lifespan in years, and area reserved for the equipment). Results consider possible impacts on the seabed and native bird, mammal, fish, reptile, and cephalopod species.
ONLINE
259
WEBINAR
01/03/2022
BLUEMOORING: A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION FOR MANAGING MPA MOORINGS AND FINANCING MARINE CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
Presented by: Yousr Ben Fadhel and Louis Vercauteren of BlueSeeds

Description:
BlueSeeds is a French company that helps MPAs reach financial sustainability and increase the effectiveness of their conservation activities. BlueSeeds believes that one way of supporting MPA managers is to provide them practical tools that can make their day-to-day management work easier while also financing some of their conservation activities. To this end, BlueSeeds has developed a web app that MPA managers can use to manage the booking of their MPA moorings. With this tool, MPA managers can control and monitor the recreational use of the MPA, communicate more easily with visitors, and generate conservation revenues from the paid booking of moorings managed through the web app.

ONLINE
258
WEBINAR
25/01/2022
ONE WEEK TRAINING ON COASTAL RESILIENCE AND THE PLACE OF MPAS FOR CONSERVATION, ADAPTATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Jean-Jacques Goussard and Mathieu Ducrocq, animator and member of the Ocean Governance Resilience Partnership, organized a one week training at Institut Supérieur Technique d'Outre Mer (ISTOM), Angers, France. This higher education institution trains young people from many countries in the various disciplines needed to help develop and implement sustainable development strategies in the intertropical zone. The training was followed by a two-hour lecture on global coastal issues and the need to strengthen the consideration of coastal issues in the school's teaching.
REGIONAL AFRICA
ISTOM
257
TRAINING
02/09/2021
A POST-STORM RESPONSE AND REEF INSURANCE PRIMER
Building the response capacity t: o repair reefs damaged by hurricanes
Three tropical cyclones hit the Mexican Caribbean and Yucatan Peninsula in October 2020—Gamma on October 3-5, Hurricane Delta on October 7, and Hurricane Zeta on October 27—uprooting, displacing, and breaking coral colonies in the reefs located off the coast of the Mexican State of Quintana Roo. Assessments in Punta Nizuc and Isla Mujeres found that 5% of the reef´s coral colonies suffered severe damage and up to 20% suffered moderate damage. The storms particularly impacted populations of Acropora, hard corals located on reef crests that are critical for coastal protection.
MEXICO
YUCANTAN MPA
253
OTHER INFORMATION
13/07/2021
THE OCEAN RISK AND RESILIENCE ACTION ALLIANCE (ORRAA)
ORRAA brings together the insurance and finance sectors, governments, non-profits, and stakeholders from the Global South to pioneer finance and insurance products that incentivise investment into nature-based solutions, with a focus on protecting the regions and communities that need it most.

Our aim is to drive $500 million of investment into nature-based solutions by 2030, and surface at least 15 novel finance products by 2025.
170
OTHER INFORMATION
03/06/2021
MPA AGENCIES ANNOUNCE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP TO ELEVATE MARINE PROTECTED AREAS AS KEY TOOL IN RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CRISIS
The International Partnership on MPAs, Biodiversity and Climate Change is an alliance of government agencies and organisations from across the world, working together to progress the evidence base around the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and biodiversity in tackling climate change.

Our vision is for global decision makers to implement MPA networks as nature-based solutions for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience....
FRANCE
162
NEWS
11/04/2021
FORMATION À L'UTILISATION DE R-SAT ET DIAGNOSTIC DES CAPACITÉS DE RÉSILIENCE DE L'AIRE MARINE PROTÉGÉE DU BAMBOUNG, SENEGAL
La session de formation s'est tenue dans les locaux de l'AMP du Bamboung le mercredi vendredi 26 mars 2021. Ont participé le Président et 3 membres du Comité de Gestion, le Conservateur et son staff ainsi que le responsable de la cellule Suivi Evaluation de la Direction des Aires Marines Communautaires Protégées du Sénégal. Située dans la Réserve de Biosphère du Delta du Sine Saloum, Bamboung est l'une des première AMP du Sénégal. Elle a été créée en 2004 avec un double objectif de restauration des stocks halieutiques et de développement de l'écotourisme, l'éco-campement Keur Bamboung construit avec l'appui des partenaires du Sénégal générant des recettes servant à financer les opérations de surveillance participative et des actiosn de développement local
SENEGAL
AIRE MARINE PROTEGEE DU BAMBOUNG
153
TRAINING
11/04/2021
FORMATION À L'UTILISATION DE R-SAT ET DIAGNOSTIC DES CAPACITÉS DE RÉSILIENCE DE L'AIRE MARINE COMMUNAUTAIRE PROTEGEE DE SANGOMAR, SENEGAL
La session de formation s'est tenue dans les locaux de l'AMCP de Sangomar le mercredi 24 mars 2021. Ont participé le Conservateur, le staff de l'AMCP et le responsable de la cellule Suivi Evaluation de la Direction des Aires Marines Communautaires Protégées du Sénégal. L'AMCP de Sangomar, créée en 2015, fait partie de la Réserve de Biosphère du Delta du Sine Saloum. Elle protège une vaste superficie maritime à l'embouchure du delta, comprenant des flèches sableuses, iles, bancs de sables et bolons de mangroves. Des expériences y sont conduites en réponse aux phénomènes d'érosion, visant le renforcement des cordons dunaires littoraux grâce à la restauration des mangroves et l'association d'espèces halotolérantes en association avec les massifs d'Avicennia germinans qui bordent le rivage atlantique de l'AMP.
SENEGAL
AMCP DE SANGOMAR
152
TRAINING
11/04/2021
FORMATION À L'UTILISATION DE R-SAT ET DIAGNOSTIC DES CAPACITÉS DE RÉSILIENCE DE LA RESERVE NATURELLE COMMUNAUTAIRE DE PALMARIN, SENEGAL
La session de formation s'est tenue dans les locaux de la maison de l'écotourisme de Palmarin le mercredi 24 mars 2021. Ont participé le Président et 5 membres du Comité de Gestion, le Conservateur et le responsable de la cellule Suivi Evaluation de la Direction des Aires Marines Communautaires Protégées du Sénégal. La RNC de Palmarin est un espace rural en zone de mangrove avec une façade maritime et un dédale d'îles situées en arrière d'une flèche sableuse, où les communautés exploitent le sel et offrent des visites écotouristiques en calèche à cheval pour observer les hyènes qui traversent les bolons de mangroves au crépuscule.
SENEGAL
PALMARIN
151
TRAINING
11/04/2021
FORMATION À L'UTILISATION DE R-SAT POUR LE DIAGNOSTIC DES CAPACITÉS DE RÉSILIENCE DANS L'AIRE MARINE COMMUNAUTAIRE PROTÉGÉE DE JOAL-FADIOUTH, SÉNÉGAL
La session de formation s'est tenue dans les locaux de l'AMCP de Joal-Fadiouth le mardi 23 mars 2021. Ont participé le Président et 4 membres du Comité de Gestion, le Conservateur et son personnel. Joal est le plus grand port de pêche artisanale du Sénégal et l'île de Fadiouth est inscrite à la liste du Patrimoine Mondial de l'UNESCO. Cette AMP, qui a été le théâtre de plus grandes opérations de restauration de la mangrove dans les années 2010, expérimente avec succès de multiples solutions pour la reconstruction des stocks de coquillages, base économique et principale ressource en protéines pour les communautés littorales.
SENEGAL
AMCP DE JOAL
150
TRAINING
11/04/2021
PRESENTATION OF THE RESILIENCE - SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL (R-SAT) TO THE WEST AFRICAN MPAS NETWORK (RAMPAO / WAMPAN)
The RAMPAO / WAMPAN secretariat organized on the 30th of March 2021 a webinar in order to present the Resilience - Self-Assessment Tool R-SAT to its members and partners. 68 persons from 16 countries, essentially MPAs managers and practioners, attended the session which was organized from Dakar, Senegal.
Marie Suzanne TRAORE, executive secretary of RAMPAO / WAMPAN, gave a welcoming word and reminded the participants that this session was the first of a series of monthly online training courses. Purificada CANALS, head of the EU funded Ocean Governance project, also gave a word reminding the importance for MPAs of getting better prepared to upcoming changes in order to deliver valuable services in the perspective of a sustainable development and effective adaptation solutions.
The webinar was co-animated by Jean-Jacques GOUSSARD, head of the MPAs Resilience Partnership developed by the Ocean Governance project, chair of the Coastal Specialist Group (IUCN CEM), and Mathieu DUCROCQ, chair of the RAMPAO / WAMPAN Scientific Council.
Jean-Jacques explained the genesis and the general goals and functioning of the tool. He presented the best practices identified in terms of ansewer given by MPAs to impacting changes, and explained how these experiences were capitalized, allowing to elaborated a set of evaluation criteria for the R-SAT, together with the members of the MPAs Resilience Partnership.
Mathieu commented the result from a session held in the Moheli National Park, Comoros Islands. He also presented briefly the program launched by the Ministry of Environment of Senegal, who decided that the 19 marine and coastal protected areas would adopt R-SAT and regularely assess their capacity of resilience from 2021 onwards.
After a 3 hours rich and very animated session, it was convened that the RAMPAO would launch a similar program at the regional level, in the line of a decision taken by its 8th General Assembly in 2020. 38 west African MPAs should then be realizing their resilience diagnostic before the end of year 2021.
SENEGAL
RAMPAO
149
WEBINAR
07/04/2021
VIDEO: OCEANIUM DAKAR : YAYA FROM CASAMANCE - MANGROVE RESTORATION GOOD PRACTICE
The Oceanium of Dakar is a leader Non governemental organization specialied in the restoratioon of large areas of mangrove in Senegal. Oceanium has replanted eight thousand hectares which were successfully certified and funded by the carbone market
148
OTHER INFORMATION
21/03/2021
EU INTERNATIONAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE FORUM 2021 - SETTING THE COURSE FOR A SUSTAINABLE BLUE PLANET
The European Commission in association with the European External Action Service invite ocean stakeholders worldwide to the presentation of the final recommendations for ocean sustainability action by the Eu's International Ocean Governance (IOG) Forum.

The event will take place in a virtual format at 14-17hrs (CEST) on April 20, 2021.
144
EVENT
11/03/2021
IUCN CEM WEBINAR ON NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS NEW STANDARD
The IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management Oceania Network Group launches a webinar series on a range of topics of interest and relevance to our members across Oceania. The first in this series is this one featuring the new Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions and how it can
140
WEBINAR
11/03/2021
INTRODUCTION TO POPULATION GRIDS AND THEIR INTEGRATION WITH REMOTE SENSING
NASA’s Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET) has opened a new open, online webinar series: Introduction to Population Grids and their Integration with Remote Sensing Data for Sustainable Development and Disaster Management.

Course Dates: March 30 & April 6, 2021
Times: 10:00-12:00 & 15:00-17:00 EDT (UTC-4); There will be identical sessions at two different times of the day. Participants need only to register and attend one daily session.
GLOBAL
139
WEBINAR
11/03/2021
THE PARTNERSHIP FOR OBSERVATION OF THE GLOBAL OCEAN (POGO) OFFERS A SHIPBOARD TRAINING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME
The Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO) offers a shipboard training fellowship programme which is designed to promote training and capacity development building leading towards a global observation scheme for the oceans.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging obstacle for ocean observing activities. Oceanographic cruises were severely impacted in 2020 and are likely to be disrupted to some degree in the coming months or years.

Nevertheless, we are optimistic that scientific cruises will slowly return to normal activity, and provide training opportunities to early career scientists.

In these uncertain times, it is likely that shipboard placements will be made available at shorter notice than normal. In order to make best use of these opportunities, the POGO Secretariat is issuing an Open Call for applications from any early career scientists, technicians, postgraduate students (PhD or MSc) and Post-doctoral Fellows involved in oceanographic work at centres in developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

The POGO secretariat will maintain a database of all qualified, interested candidates and, as training opportunities become available, will create shortlists by evaulating suitability for the particular project on offer.

The application form asks about the candidate's specific training interests, including geographical areas and research/training topics. It also asks about availability to travel during 2021. For the latter, please consider any dates where you have prior commitments, but disregard local/international COVID-19 imposed travel restrictions at the time of application. These are in constant flux, and will be considered case-by-case when shortlists are compiled.
GLOBAL
138
OTHER CAPACITY BUILDING
05/03/2021
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY (TNC) INVITES REPRESENTATIVES OR MANAGERS OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPAS) TO PARTICIPATE IN A SURVEY ON THE OPERATING COSTS OF MPAS.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) invites representatives or managers of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to participate in a survey on the operating costs of MPAs.

The survey aims to produce a comprehensive overview of MPA funding costs and needs that could benefit MPA planners and managers in the future.

The investigation is confidential and takes between 10 and 20 minutes. SEE LINK BELOW
GLOBAL
135
OTHER INFORMATION
10/02/2021
FORMATION DES ÉTUDIANTS INGÉNIEURS ISTOM SUR LES RISQUES CÔTIERS ET LES AMP COMME INSTRUMENTS DE RÉSILIENCE
L'ISTOM forme des ingénieurs généralistes du développement pour les pays du Sud. La 5ème année propose plusieurs spécialisations, dont le domaine d'approfondissement DA TRAME, qui porte sur l'aménagement des territoires et la maitrise des risques. Deux membres du team Résilience ont dispensé un cours de 15 heures dans le cadre du DA TRAME sur l'aménagement des territoires côtiers, les risques littoraux, les solutions pour le renforcement de la résilience parmi lesquelles les AMP. R-SAT a été présenté comme un des outils permettant d'évaluer différentes situations locales.
FRANCE
ANGERS
128
TRAINING
07/02/2021
PUBLICATION DE LA 7ÈME ÉDITION (2021) DU DICTIONNAIRE SUR LA DIVERSITÉ BIOLOGIQUE ET LA CONSERVATION DE LA NATURE.
Comme la précédente édition, cet ouvrage est un outil destiné à apporter des éclairages sur des termes parfois complexes et a été rédigé dans le but d'offrir une source d'information à toute personne souhaitant se documenter sans avoir à consacrer de longues heures sur le net.
FRANCE
127
NEWS
06/02/2021
AUTO-EVALUATION DES CAPACITES DE RESILIENCE DE L'AMCP DE GOREE
L'île de Gorée est située à proximité immédiate de la presqu'ile du Cap Vert, où est établie la capitale du Sénégal. Gorée, place de mémoire du commerce triangulaire et de l'esclavage, jouit d'une forte visibilité internationale et figure parmi les éléments clés de la vitrine internationale du Sénégal.

Déjà classée Site du Patrimoine Mondial par l'UNESCO, Gorée et ses environs fait depuis 2020 l'objet de mesures conservatoires complémentaires grâce à son classement par l'Etat sénégalais en Aire Marine Communautaire Protégée.

Ce classement est intervenu après une longue période de concertation interacteurs, particulièrement complexe du fait de la position géographique du site. En effet, l'AMCP de Gorée compte parmi ses parties prenantes huit communes urbaines et le Port Autonome de Dakar. Elle doit également prendre en compte les perspectives liées au développement du secteur pétrolier offshore et la mise en place prochaine de plateformes logistiques dans son périmètre.

Le Sénégal s'est ainsi engagé dans un projet très innovant et ambitieux, en utilisant le statut d'AMP communautaire pour renforcer la conservation de valeurs historiques, patrimoniales et écologiques et engager les acteurs territoriaux à faire évoluer leurs pratiques dans le sens d'une meilleure prise en compte des enjeux de la conservation et de l'adaptation au changement climatique.

L'évaluation des capacités de résilience de cette AMP est donc particulièrement pertinente au vu du contexte potentiellement problématique et des fortes discontinuités initiales en matière de zonage, de vocations territoriales et d'usages.

L'équipe de l'AMCP, dirigée par son conservateur et assistée par le service suivi-évaluation de la Direction Nationale des AMCP, a montré un fort intérêt pour l'exercice, au moment où elle travaille à la finalisation du plan de gestion. Les résultats vont notamment permettre d'y intégrer des objectifs de diversification et de renforcement des partenariats, et de mise en cohérence du zonage interne avec l'aménagement spatial des zones maritimes adjacentes.
SENEGAL
AIRE MARINE COMMUNAUTAIRE PROTEGEE DE GOREE
123
TRAINING
25/01/2021
AUTO EVALUATION DES CAPACITES DE RESILIENCE DU PARC NATIONAL DES ILES DE LA MADELEINE
Le Parc National des Iles de la Madeleine, situé à proximité immédiate de Dakar, est la plus petite aire protégée du Sénégal. C'est un site ouvert aux visites où l'on peut aisément observer son oiseau emblématique, le phaéton. L'exercice d'auto-évaluation a été mené au poste de commandement du PNIM le 17 décembre 2020, en présence du staff du parc et du personnel du service de suivi évaluation de la direction des AMP sénégalaises, avec l'appui de l'un des partenaires du MPAs Resilience Partnership. Cette évaluation a permis de souligner différents points de force et des insuffisances qui devront faire l'objet de renforcements dans le cadre du prochain Plan d'Aménagement et de Gestion.
SENEGAL
PARC NATIONAL DES ILES DE LA MADELEINE
121
TRAINING
25/01/2021
AUTO EVALUATION DES CAPACITES DE RESILIENCE DU PARC NATIONAL DU BANC D'ARGUIN, REPUBLIQUE ISLAMIQUE DE MAURITANIE
Le Parc National du Banc d'Arguin (PNBA) a procédé à l'évaluation externe de la mise en œuvre de son Plan d'Aménagement et de Gestion (PAG) 2015-2019 et à l'élaboration du PAG 2020-2024. Ces travaux étaient conduits par une équipe internationale dirigée par Mathieu Ducrocq, sur financements de la GIZ et du BaCoMAB, instrument financier dédié à la durabilité des AMP mauritaniennes. A l'interface de ces deux phases de travail, l'outil R-SAT a été utilisé afin de procéder à l'évaluation des capacités de résilience du PNBA. La séance s'est tenue au siège du PNBA en décembre 2019, en présence de son directoire et du président de son conseil scientifique. Cet exercice était particulièrement important vu le contexte de changement rapide qui caractérise le nord ouest mauritanien. En effet, autrefois protégé par son enclavement naturel, le PNBA se trouve aujourd'hui au centre d'une région en rapide densification où se développent l'extraction d'hydrocarbures offshore, de nouvelles pêcheries, une industrie minière on shore et différentes infrastructures de transport terrestre et maritime. Le PNBA a inscrit dans son nouveau PAG l'usage annuel d'R-SAT afin d'identifier les points de faiblesse sur lesquels renforcer son action et sa résilience.
MAURITANIA
PARC NATIONAL DU BANC D'ARGUIN
120
TRAINING
25/01/2021
AUTO-EVALUATION DES CAPACITES DE RESILIENCE DU PARC NATIONAL DE MOHELI, REPUBLIQUE FEDERALE ISLAMIQUE DES COMORES
Un exercice d'auto évaluation des capacités de résilience du Parc National de Mohéli a été conduit avec l'outil R-SAT avec l'ensemble de l'équipe de Direction ainsi que le Président du Comité de Gestion. Cette session de travail s'est tenue à Fomboni, au cours d'une mission conduite par Mathieu Ducrocq, mobilisé par INSUCO pour la réalisation d'une étude socioéconomique, dans le cadre d'un projet d'appui au Parc National de Moheli financé par l'AFD. Les résultats soulignent une bonne insertion spatiale et de fortes collaborations à l'échelle du territoire et des communautés de l'île de Mohéli, mais laissent apparaître des faiblesses en matière d'anticipation, de préparation et de restauration. Ce dernier point est crucial, car Mohéli est une île bordée de riches formations coralliennes qui a connu au début du 21ème siècle un épisode de régression sévère des herbiers marins à Thalassodendron ciliatum. Ce phénomène, jusque-là insuffisamment expliqué, aurait été engendré par l'érosion des sols consécutifs aux défrichements des pentes de l'île pour le développement de la culture de l'ylang-ylang.
COMOROS
PARC NATIONAL DE MOHELI
119
TRAINING
15/01/2021
FRAGMENTS OF HOPE: CORAL NURSERIES IN BELIZE
Fragments of Hope is a community based organization located on the Placencia Peninsula. Our focus is the restoration of coral reef habitats and advocacy for the sustainable management of associated habitats. Coral restoration efforts in Belize are conducted by trained fishers and tour guides and we work closely with regulatory agencies, including the Belize Fisheries Department.
BELIZE
BELIZE
113
OTHER INFORMATION
10/01/2021
MPA NEWS
MPA News is the information service on planning and management of marine protected areas (MPAs). It serves the global MPA community with news, views, analysis, and tips gathered from experts worldwide. Over 10,000 readers in 120 countries have come to rely on it....
GLOBAL
108
NEWS
03/01/2021
NOAA WEBINAR ARCHIVE
This archive includes links to webinar videos
ONLINE
104
WEBINAR
03/01/2021
ADDRESSING MARINE DEBRIS IN PROTECTED AREAS: BEST PRACTICES AND EXAMPLES
Date/Time: Thursday, January 14, 2 pm US EST / 11 am US PST / 7 pm UTC

This webinar synthesizes recommendations for protected area managers seeking to reduce marine debris. The recommendations are based upon review of research, case studies, and experience from government, academia, and non-profits. This webinar will also provide some suggested actions and current examples from protected areas addressing marine debris in the US and beyond.

Co-sponsors: NOAA National MPA Center and OCTO (MPA News, OpenChannels, EBM Tools Network)

Speaker: Anna Ruth Robuck of the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography and NOAA Marine Protected Areas Center
ONLINE
103
WEBINAR
29/12/2020
CLIMATE RESILIENCE WEBINAR SERIES 2020-2021
A UK Climate Resilience Programme (UKCRP) lunchtime webinar series in which both researchers and stakeholders participate. The webinars showcase projects conducted for UKRI and by the Met Office for the SPF UK Climate Resilience Programme and thematic topics.

All webinars are on Wednesdays and run from 12.00-13.00.
ONLINE
LONDON UK
96
TRAINING
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NEWS, CONFERENCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES