Coral ReefsImproving MPA Management

Our Ocean, Our People, Our Prosperity

Prof Heather Koldewey, Lead, Bertarelli Foundation’s Marine Science Programme

It’s a blustery sunny day as I walk along my beach at home in Cornwall. As I look out across the infinite blue water, I think of the opportunities for action at the Our Ocean conference taking place on the other side of the ocean in Palau. This extraordinarily beautiful archipelago of over 500 islands in the western Pacific has long been on my bucket list, not just for its incredible marine life but also because of the global leadership this small island developing state (SIDS) has taken in fully protecting 80% of its waters. Sadly, this time it was not to be for me as Covid struck meaning I was unable to travel. With quick reorganisation of some very complex logistics, the Marine Science programme was represented by Alexy Khrizman, our PhD student from Stanford University working on coral reefs in Palau and the Chagos Archipelago. Alexy sent news and images throughout the two days of the conference, shared on our @Marine_Science Twitter feed.

Image credit: Jack Fishman (PADI Aware)

I closely followed the conference online – how would Our Ocean deliver in the twice-delayed Ocean Super Year? Would momentum build from COP26 in Glasgow in recognising the ocean crisis is the climate crisis? How do these gatherings really make a difference for the planet, especially as we scrutinise the carbon footprint of every trip we make in the name of conservation? How can we make the most difference for the ocean in the shortest period of time?

The Our Ocean conferences have been defined by the hundreds of commitments of billions of dollars from governments, business, and civil society. A new report launched by the team from Oregon State University found that two-thirds of these commitments had been met, with real progress towards the rest. This encouraging analysis gives real optimism for the likely success of the impressive additional 410 commitments amounting to USD$16.35 billion made in Palau this week. However, the level of urgency and anxiety were clear. There are major problems to be solved. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing proliferates, the high seas treaty remains mired in political inertia, there are risks to MPAs due to economic crises, we are not meeting international targets for ocean sustainability, and there is an overall lack of urgent action even when we know the solutions. However, this week it seems the shipping sector stepped up to reduce their emissions, new technologies, tools, partnerships and collaborations were announced, and there was more engagement in the High Ambition Coalition of Nature and People.

The Our Ocean leaders were passionate and profound, but the voices of Palau that resonated most were those of indigenous communities and youth. These are voices we need to listen to, to hear and to act upon. The ocean currents from Palau will make waves to the UN Ocean Summit in Lisbon in June. From our perspective in the Marine Science programme, we continue to work to bring science into management and policy. The 121 scientific papers from our programme over the last four years demonstrate and reinforce the value of MPAs for biodiversity protection and ocean resilience. Our marine scientists are ocean leaders. We will be working hard from now till Lisbon, for the ocean, for people and for prosperity.

Coral Reefs

Webinar: Ocean Exploration – Past, Present and Future

Ocean Exploration - Past, Present and Future

In the first episode of the 2022 series of the Bertarelli Foundation’s marine science webinar, Helen Czerski introduced five wonderful speakers working on and around themes of ocean exploration.

With the ever-turning wheel of progress and research in motion, ocean exploration has come a vast way since the days of yore and navigating by stars. Operational processes have changed dramatically in the past decade, technology has bloomed in the digital era, familiar waters are not so familiar anymore. This webinar delivered an insight into an array of these topics – through the past that has laid foundation for the present, and paves the way forward in the world of ocean exploration.

Following the short talks, members of the public were invited to ask questions on this fascinating topic.

Speakers:

Dr. Helen Czerski
Paul Rose – National Geographic Pristine Seas
Prof. Kerry Howell – University of Plymouth
Martin Collins – British Antarctic Survey
Sheena Talma and Lucy Woodall – Nekton

You can watch a recording of the webinar below:

Any unanswered questions from the live webinar will be available on the website shortly.

Coral Reefs

Webinar: The Future of Coral Reefs in a Warming World

The Future of Coral Reefs in a Warming World

In the latest of the Bertarelli Foundation’s marine science seminars, Helen Czerski was joined by Dr Gareth Williams from Bangor University who described his work modelling and mapping how reefs in the Indian Ocean might look very different under the different climate change scenarios – and the adaptation ability of corals to warming seas.

Kim Hum from the Nature Conservancy explained how she has used Dr Williams’ models to help protect the coral reefs off the coast of Hawai’i. And finally, Ambassador Peter Thomson gave his thoughts on the importance of the ocean in addressing climate change – and the role of marine science in protecting the ocean.

Following the short talks, members of the public had the opportunity to ask questions about this fascinating topic to Dr Czerski, Dr Williams and Dr David Obura from CORDIO East Africa.

Speakers:

Dr. Helen Czerski
Dr. Gareth Williams – Bangor University
Kim Hum – The Nature Conservancy
Amb. Peter Thomson – UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean
Dr. David Obura – CORDIO East Africa

You can watch a recording of the seminar below:

Coral Reefs

Webinar: Ocean and Climate Change – The Future of our Blue Planet

Ocean and Climate Change: The Future of our Blue Planet

In the latest of the Bertarelli Foundation’s marine science seminars, Kristian Teleki introduces five speakers who are all working on the impact of climate change on our ocean and its biological and social implications.

With climate change regularly making headlines across the world, this seminar takes a look at the close link between the climate and our ocean. With visible impacts of climate change being seen across the world, we look at what is happening already, what the future might look like and the role of politics in this story.

Speakers:

Kristian Teleki – World Resources Institute (Moderator)
Prof Rob Dunbar – Stanford University
Dr Roxy Koll – Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
Prof Chris Perry – University of Exeter
Dr Ines Lange – University of Exeter
Maria Damanaki

You can watch a recording of the seminar below:

We will post answers to questions we did not have time to answer during the live seminar shortly.

Coral Reefs

Podcast: Plankton – A Miniature Kaleidoscope of Life

Podcast: Plankton - A Miniature Kaleidoscope of Life

Episode 9: Plankton – A Miniature Kaleidoscope of Life

It’s often said that small is beautiful, and that’s true in the ocean too. But in the huge blue expanses of our planet, the small aren’t just beautiful – they’re essential. The ‘small’ here are the plankton – the tiny and varied specks of drifting life that go wherever the ocean takes them. They’re the foundation for the entire ocean ecosystem, and the starting point for almost every story the ocean has to tell.

In this episode of Ocean Matters, oceanographer and physicist Helen Czerski meets the magical world of plankton, learns why they’re important for larger organisms such as manta rays, and hears how the climate crisis is impacting this crucial part of the marine environment.

With special thanks to Dr Jill Schwarz from the University of Plymouth, Dr Ines Lange from the University of Exeter, Joanna Harris from the Manta Trust, and David Johns from the Continuous Plankton Recorder.

Come with us on this scientific adventure. Follow and subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts, so that you never miss an episode.

Coral Reefs

Podcast: Sharks – Masters of the Ocean

Episode 7: Sharks- Masters of the Ocean.

Today we know of at least 1,200 species of shark, and we’re still finding more. Sharks are a critical part of life in the ocean. But the numbers don’t lie, these magnificent animals are seriously threatened. Since 1970, the global abundance of oceanic sharks and rays has declined by 71%.

In this episode of Ocean Matters, Helen Czerski explores how these masters of the ocean sense their world, why they’re not the “lone hunters” depicted by Hollywood, and why we need to protect them.

With special thanks Sarah Fowler from Save Our Seas Foundation, Dr David Jacoby from the Zoological Society of London, and Dr Al Dove from Georgia Aquarium.

Come with us on this scientific adventure. Follow and subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts, so that you never miss an episode.

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Coral Reefs

Podcast: Isolated Islands – Adventures in Evolution

Ocean Matters - New Episode Available Now

Episode 6: Isolated Islands – Adventures in Evolution

The tourist brochures are clear about what we should expect from a remote tropical island: bright blue water, white sand, some exotic shells and the odd coconut tree. But the reality is usually a little bit more complicated.

In Ocean Matters, Helen Czerski explores these small, remote islands – distant specks of land that are dwarfed by the vast ocean around them. How do they form? What makes both the islands and their inhabitants so distinctive? And why are they disappearing?

With special thanks to Dr Ines Lange and Professor Chris Perry from the University of Exeter, Professor Carl Jones from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, and James Michel, Former President of the Seychelles.

Come on this adventure. Subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts, so that you never miss an episode.

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Coral Reefs

Podcast: The Deep Sea – Exploring the Unknown

Ocean Matters - New Episode Available Now

Episode 5: The Deep Sea – Exploring the Unknown

When we look up at the night sky, we can see the cosmos in all its glory; the constellations are familiar friends that we learn as children. But even though the deep ocean is far closer, it is far more mysterious. Whilst it is hard to get to, it certainly isn’t empty or featureless.

In Ocean Matters, join oceanographer and physicist Helen Czerski as she explores the deep sea: what’s in it, why it matters, and how the top of the ocean is inextricably connected to the bottom.

With special thanks to Professor Kerry Howell from the University of Plymouth, Dr Sylvia Earle, and Professor Alex Rogers from REV Ocean.

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Coral Reefs

Podcast: Plastic – Our Single use Problem

Ocean Matters - New podcast available now

Episode 4: Plastic – Our single use problem

So often, the ocean’s problems are invisible, but plastic pollution in the ocean has rocketed up public consciousness in the past few years precisely because it, and the damage it does, is so visible. Once you start looking, it’s everywhere. Over 40% of plastic manufactured every year will only be used once.

In Ocean Matters, join oceanographer and physicist Helen Czerski as she explores the impact plastic is having on ocean wildlife, the scale of single-use plastic bottles in London, and an exciting solution found in nature – enzymes that eat plastic.

Want to be a Citizen Scientist? Track plastic pollution in your area and help expand a shared global database with the Debris Tracker App available at your app store or at https://debristracker.org/.

Come on this adventure. Subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts, so that you never miss an episode.

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