Posts by Marine Conservation Institute
Are Fish Aggregating Devices just a FAD?
Blog by: Lindsay Brubaker, Blue Parks Science Intern Featured Image: A view from below of a fish aggregating device (FAD). Wade Fairey Fish Aggregating Devices—called FADs—result in five times more bycatch than other fishing methods, and lost FADs become ghost gear, costing millions of dollars in cleanup efforts in fragile ecosystems. These floating ocean objects…
Read MoreThe Scoop on Spillover: How Blue Parks are Bigger than Their Boundaries
Blog by: Allie Smith, Blue Parks Science Intern Featured Image: Hammerhead Shark by Shane Gross What we’ve seen in marine protected areas is promising: evidence that these reserves not only support the ecosystems within their boundaries, but also benefit surrounding marine and human communities. Though hard to quantify, the “spillover effect” has been documented in…
Read MoreScientists call partially protected areas the “Red Herrings” of marine conservation
New Studies Explore the Effectiveness, or rather Ineffectiveness, of Partially Protected Marine Areas By Eleri Griffiths, Blue Parks Intern Marine protected areas (MPAs) are vital tools for protecting, conserving, and restoring marine ecosystems. Leading experts in marine science and conservation across the globe are advocating for protection of 30% of the global ocean by 2030…
Read MoreWinners of the JEDI Ocean Award Announced
For Immediate Release June 24, 2021 Contact: Hannah Hindley, hannnah.hindley@marine-conservation.org, 707-206-2073 (cell) Madeleine Serkissian, madeleine.serkissian@marine-conservation.org, 707-799-3980 (cell) Angela Morgan, angela.morgan@marine-conservation.org 707-217-8244 (cell) [Glen Ellen, CA] This week, Marine Conservation Institute announces the recipients of the first annual JEDI Ocean Award for Sonoma County teens. The JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) award celebrates local Black,…
Read MoreGreen Light for Chilean Conservation: The President of Chile Makes Piedra del Viento an Official Coastal Marine Sanctuary
Blog written by Juan Buttazzoni, Director of Fundación Rompientes Marine Conservation Institute has partnered with Chile’s Fundación Rompientes to help turn a threatened stretch of central Chile’s coastline into a Blue Spark. Now, with a formal presidential designation, we celebrate the news and look ahead to the next steps for this new marine protected area.…
Read MoreFish Habitat—a Safety Net for Ocean Fisheries—Needs Stronger Protections
Guest blog: New NRDC report examines “essential fish habitat” in U.S. fisheries management. Written by Molly Masterton and Brad Sewell Featured Picture: Kelp bass swim through eelgrass habitat in the Pacific Ocean ©Adam Obaza/NOAA Fisheries West Coast From time to time, we see reports or blogs from other organizations that are so important for our marine…
Read MoreWomen are Making the Arnavon Islands Community Marine Park Stronger
By Lindsay Brubaker, Blue Parks Intern Featured Image: Arnavon Community Marine Park, © Robert Taupongi What does conservation look like without women? Research demonstrates that conservation efforts are more likely to succeed when women are involved, but in Melanesia, men are traditionally seen as the head of the household and as decision makers, so for years…
Read MorePresident Biden’s goal of conserving at least 30% of our lands and oceans by 2030 will be transformational for the ocean; 90 day Dept. of Interior report outlines how it will be done
For Immediate Release May 6, 2021 Contact: Lance Morgan, Lance.Morgan@marine-conservation.org, 707-217-8242 (cell) Mike Gravitz, Michael.Gravitz@marine-conservation.org, 301-351-5052 (cell) [Glen Ellen, CA] As an organization of marine scientists, Marine Conservation Institute enthusiastically supports the Biden administration “goal of conserving at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030” because good science shows that is the…
Read MoreOceans Can Contribute to Biden Announcement of Bold Greenhouse Gas Reductions
For Immediate Release April 22, 2021 Contact: Lance Morgan, Lance.Morgan@marine-conservation.org, 707-217-8242 (cell) Mike Gravitz, Michael.Gravitz@marine-conservation.org, 301-351-5052 (cell) [Glen Ellen, CA] Today, a little after 8:00 am eastern and before dozens of world leaders participating in the Leader’s Summit on Climate, President Biden set bold greenhouse gas emission reductions for the United States—cutting 2005 emission levels…
Read MoreSharks Are in Trouble… Here’s What To Do About It
https://marine-conservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Shark-Blog-Part-2.mp3 (Part 2 of 2) by Alexandra Smith, Blue Parks Intern Featured Image: Reef Shark at Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands © Kurt Cotoaga Read Part 1 Today! In our last blog, “Sharks Are in Trouble (Part 1 of 2),” we explored the latest evidence that shark populations around the world are in serious trouble. As…
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