By Lanre Oloyede
Inti Kith, Charles Darwin Foundation, described the threats posed by invasive alien species in the Galapagos MPA and the use of settlement plates to assess the extent of marine bioinvasions.
Shona Murray, University of Western Australia, discussed her findings on how MPAs can be improved for oceanic sharks.
Joachim Claudet, National Center for Scientific Research, explored ecological and social pathways for ecosystem resilience to climate change.
An ‘Orca’strated Approach To Supporting Recovery Efforts For Southern Resident Killer Whales In Coastal British Colombia
Jennifer Takimishyn, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, spoke about collaborations with First Nations for management within the reserve to enhance the protection of the resident orca – kakawin – pods.
SUMÉ,t David Dick, W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, reminded the audience of Tahlequah, the orca who carried her stillborn calf for 17 days, saying that she did this to remind us of the harm we are bringing upon the Ocean.
Martin Wayne, Saturna Island Marine Research & Education Society, spoke of a citizen science network of shore-based sighters to monitor and report on whale and vessel movement in the area. While stressing that sanctuary zones are critical, he noted that they are not working as intended.
Jessica Scott, Ocean Wise, began her presentation by illustrating the impact that vessels have on whale communication and lives. She then spoke about the Whale Report Alert System aimed at mariners for reducing vessel strikes and disturbance in the region.
Discussions touched upon the importance of 10-knot limits on vessels, to reduce their impact on marine life, and the importance of building international communication networks.
Youth Engaging Youth
Joseph Mcleod, Parks Canada, highlighted that leadership means “going against the status quo” and helping take input from other people. He asked panelists to reflect on several questions: on empowering youth in organizations, Frankie Marquez, Ocean Wise, described her organization’s way of creating opportunities, such as enabling representation on the board; on hiring youth, Jason Barron, Nature Canada, explained that no specific skillset might be necessary when applying as a young person and focused on creating such opportunities; Jenn Stevens, Learning for Sustainable Futures, underscored the importance of creating opportunities in the school system.
Joshua Komangapik, Students on Ice, described the importance of facilitating ways youth can contribute in culturally relevant ways. Carter McNelly, Canadian Network for Ocean Education, underscored the importance of a work relationship that does not feel transactional.
The Forgotten Half Of Our Planet
Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Explorer, reflected on all the things we don’t know yet related to the high seas and deep seas. Noting the “depths” of our ignorance, she stated, “the deeper we go, the less we know.” She called upon creating MPAs on the high seas, and around the Antarctic, and to keep in mind that protecting 30% of the planet is not going to solve all the problems.
Sheena Talma, National Geographic Explorer, spoke about her research surrounding the Seychelles and Mauritius joint management area. She encouraged countries to finish the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction negotiations and advocated for seabed and water column joint management.
Cassandra Brooks, University of Colorado Boulder, spoke about the path for the establishment of the Ross Sea MPA, the world’s largest one. Nichola Clark, The Pew Charitable Trusts, reflected on the need of a high seas treaty, noting: several governance gaps; many institutions with several degrees of success and ineffective coordination; no global obligation to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments; and, no mechanisms to establish MPAs in the high seas.
Samuel Georgian, Marine Conservation Institute, spoke about two priority conservation areas on the high seas and why they matter, the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges and the Emperor Seamounts.
Gender And Marine Conservation
Mez Baker-Medard, Middlebury College, presented on her work studying the participation of women in Madagascar’s small-scale fisheries. She pointed out a low level of women participation in MPA decision-making, and reported on a reduction, sometimes significant, of women fishing in protected areas.
Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy, MIHARI Network, spoke about her work representing and defending small-scale fishers’ rights in Madagascar, highlighting the absence of women from its forums and decision-making processes.
Marianne Randriamihaja, The Fisher Women Leadership Programme – Madagascar, spoke of efforts taken to increase women’s presence and visibility in fisheries. She argued that efforts to increase women’s presence in fishing must be seen as a movement, not just a project.
Ivonne Juarez-Serna, Middlebury College, presented on work with the previous speakers, highlighting that: gender consciousness means inclusive and more visible access; that work should be rooted in place-based knowledge; and that the role of men as allies must be considered in strategies for resistance and resilience.
Connecting Communities To Conservation
Marie Hascoet, French Agency for Biodiversity, spoke about work at the Iroise Natural Marine Park in the Molène archipelago, to enhance the visibility of Bronze Age fishing sites. Hannah Bregulla, Council of the Haida Nation, presented on the SG̲aan K̲inghlas – Bowie Seamount Curriculum, which sought to encourage stewardship amongst Haida students by grounding activities in a place-based two-eyed approach, which centres Haida values and language, and where Haida knowledge and western science coexist and are equally valued.
Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University, spoke about the lacking knowledge on marine cultural heritage and local knowledge within South African MPA governance, arguing that this leads to a silence of Indigenous and local knowledges and relationships with the Ocean.
Ilena Zanella, Misión Tiburón, presented on their work in Golfo Dulce in the Cocos Marine Area off the coast of Costa Rica, for engaging coastal communities in ocean conservation aimed at improving the protection of wetlands used as a nursery area by the critically endangered hammerhead shark.
Frédéric Fasquel, French Agency for Biodiversity, spoke about the “Educational Marine Area” programme which involves pupils aged 9 to 15 by entrusting them with the management of section of coastline close to their school.
