POLICY EVENT: ECOSYSTEM BASED MANAGEMENT AND THE RESILIENCE OF COASTAL SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS: THE ROLE OF MARINE MEGAFAUNA

Date: 25 September 2024

Place: Sociedade Amor da Pátria, Horta, Azores

Time: 9.00h - 17.30h AZOST, UTC (orientative)

Watch the full webinar here: https://youtu.be/i4PNwucs7hM

Thematic: Resilience of the coastal socio-ecological systems in the Future Ocean: risks, vulnerabilities, and opportunities at science policy interface

Objective: to promote and disseminate the knowledge generated in MISSION ATLANTIC on integrated marine ecosystem assessment to support ecosystem management and the diverse needs of Atlantic stakeholders including decision makers. The meeting will also focus on strengthen the All-Atlantic cooperation around ecosystem-based management.

Science focus: the meeting will discuss challenges and solutions for the shared management of the ocean commons including the role of Highly Migratory Megafauna (cetaceans, turtles, seabirds, fish and sharks). This is an urgent topic as the ecology of most of these species and the interactions and impacts on the marine food web is still unknown, with potential cascading effects on several economic activities at local and regional scale (i.e., tourism, fishing, shipping, etc.). 

Dimensions: the aim is to address these challenges across a range of stakeholders’ scales: local (Azores), regional (Macaronesia - Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Cabo Verde), all Atlantic (cross Atlantic, South-North). 

Expected outcomes: Highlight research priorities, recommendations and collaborations options to manage the ocean commons using an integrated ecosystem approach. 

Sessions:

Opening session: Present knowledge and future perspectives on integrated approaches in the Azores. Illustrate the role of marine megafauna in an integrated ecosystem approach to management.

Morning session: From Local to Regional: Shared and contrasting challenges to coastal resilience across Macaronesia

Afternoon session: The AAORIA All-Atlantic perspectives to address the scientific challenges to understand the ocean we need for the future we want.

Click HERE to see the full Agenda!