Posts by Gerlinde Schäffter
Marine Conservation Institute Comments on the US National Bycatch Strategy
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is currently reviewing its priorities for reducing bycatch, the unwanted ocean wildlife (e.g., fish, turtles, coral, seabirds, etc.) unintentionally caught by commercial fishermen when targeting a different species. NMFS is in the early stages of developing a new National Bycatch Strategy and is asking the public for comments and…
Read MoreWhen is a Marine Protected Area really a Marine Protected Area?
Marine Protected Areas. Marine Reserves. Marine National Monuments. Marine Sanctuaries. Locally Managed Marine Areas. These terms are often thrown around in policy briefings, official documents and by the media. But what really constitutes a protected area in our oceans? How should we classify and define these vague terms? As countries strive to protect 10%…
Read MoreThe Conservation Effort that is Saving our Seas
During the last few years there has been a remarkable increase in the number of marine protected areas (MPAs) around the globe. While this growth has brought celebrations and excitement to the marine conservation community, skepticism exists over whether the scramble to reach the Convention of Biological Diversity’s target to protect 10% of marine and…
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