The Skimmer on Marine Ecosystems and Management
Turning science into policy: What scientists should (and should not) do when talking to policy-makers
Science and policy-making would seem to be a natural mix: Scientists want their research findings to inform public policy. Resource managers and conservationists want to see science-based policy implemented. Many – and perhaps most – policy-makers want to develop policies that are consistent with science. However, science is just one…
Tundi’s Take: Science uptake requires good delivery AND a receptive audience
By Tundi Agardy, MEAM Contributing Editor (tundiagardy@earthlink.net) Scientists are rightfully exasperated by how hard it is to get science-based management in place. Whether it is providing historical data on what has led to the present-day condition of marine systems; providing recommendations on things like catch limits, pollution controls, and critical…
Perspective: Learning to speak about Ecosystem Services
By Christian Neumann, Linwood Pendleton, Marianne Kettunen, and Tundi Agardy [Editor's note: Lead author Christian Neumann is a marine ecosystem services project manager for GRID-Arendal, a center that collaborates with the UN Environment Programme to support informed decision-making. This article is based on discussions of the focus group "Connecting people…
Perspective: Getting around ideology – When facts divide more than unite
By Jennie Hoffman [Editor's note: Jennie Hoffman (jennie@adaptationinsight.com) is founder and principal of Adaptation/Insight and an expert in decision analysis and climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation. Hoffman co-authored: Climate Savvy: Adapting Conservation and Resource Management to a Changing World; Scanning the Conservation Horizon: A Guide to Climate Change Vulnerability…
Notes & News: Ocean governance and industry – Ocean carbon storage – Fishers’ view of climate change – Ocean extinction event – EBM approaches – EBM Toolbox
World Ocean Council provides overview of ocean governance and policy for industry The World Ocean Council has released the first comprehensive review of international ocean governance and policy for the global ocean business community. The "International Ocean Governance: Policy Brief" is designed to provide the business community with information on…
Perspective: Ocean tipping points and the language of change
By Carrie Kappel and Benjamin Halpern
Tipping points occur when small shifts in human pressures or environmental conditions bring about large, sometimes abrupt changes in a system – whether in a human society, a physical system, an ecosystem or our planet's climate.
Interview on the Ocean Tipping Points project
MEAM followed up with Carrie Kappel and Ben Halpern of the Ocean Tipping Points project to ask about examples of tipping points being incorporated in management, and what advice they have for others working to link science to management. MEAM: In your perspective piece, Carrie and Ben, you talk about…
New Year’s resolutions for ocean planning and management: Practitioners offer their suggestions for 2015
Each annum as the Earth begins another lap around the Sun, many people use the new year as an opportunity to set resolutions. These commitments – made to meet a goal or reform a habit in the coming year – typically pertain just to the people making them. However, for…
Tundi’s Take: Time well spent
By Tundi Agardy, MEAM Contributing Editor. tundiagardy@earthlink.net When I heard this issue of MEAM was posing a question to practitioners on what simple thing they should do for a few minutes each day, I had a one-word answer: "Pray!" Not because I'm a religious person, but because sometimes it seems…
Notes & News: MSP study – Fish Carbon – Blue carbon – Mangrove management – MSP game
Study on economic, social, and environmental impacts of MSP cases To date, studies on ocean planning have generally focused on the process and, to a lesser extent, its potential benefits for conservation and coastal communities. There has been little evidence compiled so far to document the actual impacts of ocean…