Impacts of the US government shutdown on federal MPAs: Some of the world’s largest MPAs had just one person working at them this past month
Due to an impasse in recent weeks between US President Donald Trump and Congress over whether to spend billions of dollars to extend the wall on the nation’s southern border, about one-quarter of the government was shut down – with no funding to conduct operations –...
We’re changing our name – Welcome to The Skimmer!
A bit of big news from us: MEAM is going to be changing its name to The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management – or The Skimmer, for short – next month. This new name (which in long form still references our old name MEAM) comes with an amazing new logo designed by Larrea Young of Little Knids. What’s not changing? Our focus on bringing you critical insights for the sustainable management and conservation of marine ecosystems.
Why the change you ask? About a year ago, we started experimenting with a new type of feature – “Skimmers” – with the aim of providing a quick synopsis (a “bird’s eye view” if you will) of the latest news and research on a topic. We have covered ocean plastics, climate-related changes in the Arctic, how weather and climate extremes are impacting the ocean, managing ocean ecosystems in a changing climate, what managers should know about ocean bacteria and viruses, and (this month) gender as Skimmer articles, and are now taking this as the name of the publication. Not all of our articles will be in this specific format, although many will be. And in general the new name represents the type of integrative and easily and rapidly digestible information that marine conservation and management practitioners need – and which we’ll continue to provide.
The Skimmer: Missing half the story: How considering gender can improve ocean conservation and management
“If we only think of fishing as men in boats pulling nets out of the water, we’re missing half the story. When we only tell half the story we’re in danger of underestimating how many animals are being caught, what types of animals are being caught, and why types of habitats are important for fishing. Not only that, we’re missing how families feed themselves, how they pay for school or health care, or how they share with their neighbors. When we miss half the story we are more likely to make fishing and conservation management decisions that don’t work.”
Latest News and Resources for Ocean Planners and Managers
- New book (available for free) assesses experience with implementing ecosystem approaches in the EU and beyond
- New publication and videos highlight practical ways to communicate EBM
- Responses requested for survey on Ecosystem-based Approach as sustainability tool
- Leading ocean conservationist sees only three major ocean conservation victories for 2018
- Seychelles launches first sovereign blue bond to support sustainable ocean projects
- Proposal to create world’s largest marine sanctuary in Antarctic fails
- Webinar recording provides an overview of significance of recent US elections for US ocean management (another analysis here)
- US federal government shutdown harmful for marine conservation and management
- Modern Fish Act to amend Magnuson Stevens Act approved by US Congress
- US mid-Atlantic regional council moves ahead on partnership activities, including ocean forum in spring
- Errors found in recent ocean warming study, reducing certainty of conclusions
- 75-80 percent chance of a moderate El Niño event forming in coming months
- New study finds Eastern Pacific El Niño events will intensify and become more frequent with global warming
- European Atlas of Marine Life launched
- European Commission and IOC-UNESCO launch MSPGlobal initiative to promote cross-border MSP
- $10bn pledged to protect oceans at Our Ocean Conference
- Sustainable Blue Economy Conference concludes with 62 pledges
- New framework provides guidance for sustainable investments in ocean industries