BESTTuna is a major research programme funded by the Interdisciplinary Research and Education Fund (INREF) that supports cooperative research between research groups at Wageningen University (The Netherlands), Bogor University (Indonesia), The University of the Philippines, the University of the South Pacific (Fiji) and the WWF-Coral Triangle Initiative. The objective of BESTTuna is to study the design of effective and equitable state and market-based governance arrangements to achieve sustainable trans-boundary tuna management in the Coral Triangle and Western Pacific.

For this project we are looking for PhD students in the field of fish biology, policy science, and resource economics. The positions are open for citizens of Pacific nations, including The Philippines and Indonesia. See the linked documents below for more information.

If you have any questions about this project please don’t hesitate to contact Rolf Groeneveld, contact information listed below.

Rolf A. Groeneveld
Wageningen University
Environmental Economics and Natural Resources Group
Hollandseweg 1
NL-6706 KN  Wageningen
+31 317 482009

PhD Position 3a -  Fisher level decision making in response to retail and brand strategies for sustainable tuna

PhD Position 4a - The influence of environmental certification on international cooperation for tuna management in the Western Pacific

PhD Position 5a - Exploring innovative market mechanisms for incentivised tuna management in the Coral Triangle and Western Pacific

PhD Position 5b - Bio-economic modelling of financial incentives for tuna fisheries management

We are glad to inform you that the Ninth International Training Workshop on Integrated Coastal Management in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (MEDCOAST Institute 2012) will be held during 25 September - 11 October 2012 in Dalyan (Aegean Coast), Turkey.

Information about MEDCOAST Institute 2012 can be found at www.medcoast.org.tr.

Canada Ocean Lecture - Consequences to Canadian Marine Biodiversity of Climate Change, Fisheries and Aquaculture

February 2, 2012

7 pm

Centre for Dialogue, SFU Vancouver

This presentation is free and open to the public, but reservations are recommended as seating is limited.  Reserve online at www.sfu.ca/reserve .

This lecture is co-hosted by the Centre for Coastal Science and Management and Continuing Studies in Science and Environment in the Faculties of Environment and Science at Simon Fraser University in partnership with the Shorefast Foundation.  This lecture will be delivered by Jeff Hutchings, Chair of the Royal Society Panel of Experts.

Initiated in 2006, the Canada Ocean lecture series is a joint initiative between the Shorefast Foundation and Simon Fraser University and other partners.  The aim of the series is to create awareness of Canada's vast marine environment and its importance to Canadians.  Lectures to date have been held on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in central Canada.  For more information, visit: http://www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science/canadaoceanlecture.php

Lead up to Rio⁺ 20

* * * * * * *

The latest issue of the newsletter from the Secretariat of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), "Rio+20: Making It Happen,” announces the proposed new dates for the UNCSD – 20-22 June 2012 – and notes the expectation that the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) Second Committee will confirm these dates in its resolution on modalities for the Conference, which is currently being negotiated.

The feature article highlights three new documents on oceans: a study from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) on oceans and the law of the sea; the “blueprint for ocean and coastal sustainability” presented by four UN agencies, which seeks to limit the degradation of the oceans and improve oceans governance; and a brief from the Secretariat on the role of oceans and marine resources in achieving sustainable development. The brief underlines major implementation gaps in international agreements and commitments, highlights challenges to the sustainable development of oceans and marine resources, and encourages delegates to use Rio+20 to speed up implementation and take action.

The newsletter notes that UNCSD preparatory meetings and side events have identified the sustainable management of the oceans and marine resources as one of the seven priority areas to be addressed at the Conference, in addition to the two official themes. The six other priority areas, according to the newsletter, are: combating poverty, including through green jobs and promoting social inclusion; advancing food security and sustainable agriculture; sound water management; energy access including from renewable sources, as well as efficiency and sustainability; sustainable human settlements; and improving resilience and disaster preparedness.

The issue also highlights the UNCSD Secretariat’s recent efforts to engage Major Groups, other civil society groups and the public in the lead-up to the UNCSD, including through a recently launched campaign by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), in collaboration with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and other UN entities. Titled "Rio+20: The Future We Want,” the new communication strategy consists of a “global conversation” on the kind of world people want in 20 years, and how to achieve that vision. [Publication: Rio+20: Making it Happen, Vol. 2, Issue 21]

 Dr Carol Turley OBE is launching an "Ocean Under Stress" guide at COP17. This guide draws attention to 3 interacting stressors facing the ocean and is aimed at governments, policymakers and the public. This guide is also available at www.oceanunderstress.com.

For further information please contact:

Kelly-Marie Davidson (contact info on above website)

Communications Officer, Plymouth Marine Laboratory

This one day conference will present key findings of the CLAMER project, including:

> Results of the pan-European public poll (10,000 interviewed, 10 countries), conducted to investigate public views and understanding about climate change and the marine environment
> Main messages from a state-of-the-art overview of EU research results on marine climate change, which summarizes all existing scientific outputs

Leading experts in climate change science and related mitigation and adaptation strategies will be addressing the audience, among them Dr. Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Prof. Jean-Pascal van Ypersele (vice-chair). The conference will be chaired by Quentin Cooper, presenter of ‘The Material World’ on BBC Radio 4, the UK's most-listened-to science programme.

For more information, including a detailed programme, please visit: www.clamer.eu/conference

The First Global Conference on Oceans, Climate and Security (GCOCS) is designed to:

> Raise the awareness level of the threat of climate change to our oceans and the consequent threat to our human and national security;
> Identify and prioritize the knowledge gaps in science and technology which inhibit understanding, response and adaptation to future threats;
> Generate comprehensive human security policy and governance recommendations reflecting the climate, ocean, and security continuum.

Over three days, GCOCS attendees will explore complex, cross-sector topics and strategies through interactive methods such as multi-disciplinary plenary and World café sessions.

GCOCS 2012 is a signature event of The Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate and Security at the University of Massachusetts Boston and is proudly co-presented by Battelle Memorial Institute.

For more information please visit: www.gcocs.org

Changing Climate, Changing Approaches: Conservation in the Face of Climate Change

Where Ocean Meets Land: Dynamic Shorelines in a Warming World

Adapting to a Clear and Present Danger: Climate Change and Ocean Ecosystems

The Fisheries Governance course is designed for persons with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience in: fisheries management or research, higher education in fisheries management, fisheries extension & training, development of coastal or lakeside communities, aquatic resource use issues or closely related subjects.

For more information about the course programme and online application for this course please visit:
www.cdi.wur.nl/UK/newsagenda/agenda/Fisheries_governance.htm

By Richard Black, BBC Environment correspondent

The oceans are in a worse state than previously suspected, according to an expert panel of scientists. In a new report, they warn that ocean life is "at high risk of entering a phase of extinction of marine species unprecedented in human history".
They conclude that issues such as over-fishing, pollution and climate change are acting together in ways that have not previously been recognised. The impacts, they say, are already affecting humanity.

To view the full article visit, www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13796479.

7 PM | Scotiabank Auditorium, McCain Building
Dalhousie University, 6135 University Avenue
Free Admission
Reception & Cash Bar to Follow

Hosted by IOI-Canada.

National Business Forum on Marine Spatial Planning in US: World Ocean Council conference to advance industry action on ocean management

The World Ocean Council (WOC) will convene ocean industries on 13-14 July in Washington D.C. to foster and facilitate business involvement in the coastal and marine spatial planning (CMSP) process underway in the U.S.

The U.S. has established a National Ocean Council (NOC) that will be implementing CMSP through a series of nine regional programs. The NOC will be holding a National Workshop for government agencies to develop the government’s CMSP Strategic Action Plan in late June.

A coordinated, multi-sectoral process to ensure the ocean business community is well- informed and constructively engaged in U.S. CMSP efforts is essential to CMSP being able to support the sustainable use of marine space and resources by responsible industry operators.

The National Business Forum on CMSP will address this and will: (i) Create a clear understanding of CMSP in the ocean business community; (ii) Define and examine the potential business impacts and benefits of CMSP; (iii) Ensure the business community is fully informed of the specific U.S. CMSP process and plans; and (iv) Develop a WOC Action Plan for engaging CMSP and facilitating/coordinating business involvement in CMSP as it develops in the U.S.

CMSP is defined by the Task Force as “a comprehensive, adaptive, integrated, and transparent spatial planning process, based on sound science, for analyzing current and anticipated uses of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas. CMSP identifies areas most suitable for various types or classes of activities in order to reduce conflicts among uses, reduce environmental impacts, facilitate compatible uses, and preserve critical ecosystem services to meet economic, environmental, security, and social objectives”. CMSP seeks to move sea use planning “away from the current sector-by-sector, statute by statute approach” according to the Task Force information.

Ocean industries are encouraged to participate in the National Forum. Information and registration for the event can be found by clicking the following link: WOC National Business Forum on MSP.

The National Forum is being organized by the WOC in partnership with Battelle Memorial Institute, which became a WOC Founding Member in 2010.

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is a priority for WOC Members. A WOC Working Group on MSP has been formed to explore the WOC role in catalyzing cross-sectoral industry leadership and collaboration on MSP as it develops in the U.S., Europe, Australia and elsewhere.

For more information about the WOC, visit: www.oceancouncil.org.

Ninth International Conference on Environmental Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas: The EMECS 9 conference organizers are recruiting university student volunteers for various supporting roles during the upcoming conference (August 28-31, 2011). In return for service, student volunteers receive a free registration and free shared guest room accommodations for up to five nights.

For more information about volunteer opportunities and to apply, visit the EMECS 9 website. Application deadline is May 13, 2011.

Speak Up for the Blue is an informational website that promotes current Ocean Leaders and identifies up and coming Ocean Leaders, while helping others to become effective Ocean Leaders. The website will will follow current and up and coming Ocean Leaders by promoting the work they do and the messages they want to spread. Speak Up for the Blue provides a place where everyone can discuss the Ocean, it’s issues, and the solutions to those issues.

Visit the website: www.speakupforblue.com

The first "World Ocean Review", published by Maribus in cooperation with the Future Ocean, the International Ocean Institute and Mare, is now available in English. The Review reports on the state of the world's oceans and their interplay with ecological, economic and socio-political conditions. Topics include global climate drivers, chemistry, the coasts, pollution, ecosystems, minerals and energy, global trade, medical knowledge, and the Law of the Sea.

Report is available at: worldoceanreview.com/en

Abstracts are now being accepted for the World Conference on Natural Resource Modeling, Modeling for a Sustainable Environment: Climate Adaptation and Energy, Socio-Economic-Ecological Systems (2011 theme).

Presentations on all topics concerning natural resource modeling will be considered. Abstracts should be less then 500 words and should include the title, authors & affiliations, and type of presentation.

Abstracts should be submitted electronically to: rick.moll@statcan.gc.ca. Deadline is 16 April 2011.

Please click here for the call for papers announcement or visit the RMA website for more information about the conference.

Proposals are now being accepted. Please note that proposals for papers and panels are due by January 15th, 2011.
 

For more information & the appliction form, please visit www.medcoast.org

June 5 is World Environment Day. This year's focus is on climate change -- how to cut greenhouse gas emissions and achieve a low carbon economy.

You can also learn about the effects of climate change on global food security and the response of the international community by following this month's High-Level Conference on World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy.

Information on Cyclone Nargis which devastated Myanmar last month keeps growing thanks to contributions -- please continue sharing your material with UN Atlas members.