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ICCAT Ecosystems Subcommittee calls for ecosystem research
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Drs. Tammy Trott and Brian Luckhurst participated in the July 2013 ICCAT Ecosystems Subcommittee meeting, on behalf of Bermuda, as members of the UK OT delegation.
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Dr. Brian Luckhurst presents findings to the ICCAT Ecosystem Subcommittee.
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Drs. Tammy Trott and Brian Luckhurst at the ICCAT Ecosystems Subcommittee meeting in Madrid.
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Dr. Luckhurst's presentation on the fish species of interest to ICCAT in the Sargasso Sea was well received. The meeting report indicates that discussions noted: "The Group
recommends continuing the contact with Sargasso Sea research teams and the UK-Bermuda scientists to develop a scientific collaborative plan to accomplish objective 2 of Res [12-12]. Additionally, the Group recognized that the above work is providing a useful foundation for adopting this region as a basis for a case study in implementing the Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approach within ICCAT and this collaboration should continue to be supported."
However the group did request that additional information be provided for the next meeting in 2014.
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Emerging Partnership with Inter-American Turtle Convention
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Dr. Karen Eckert (WIDECAST) attended the COP 6 of the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles on behalf of SSA.
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Dr. Eckert addresses the IAC COP VI in Ecuador. Credit: B. Dick.
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Dr. Eckert presented the draft proposed SSA/IAC Secretariat collaborative arrangement, which was received positively. The SSA Secretariat continues to work with the IAC on next steps, which will hopefully include Bermuda becoming a Party to the IAC through the UK.
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NAFO Scientific Council defers Sargasso discussion
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The Scientific Council of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization met from 7-20 June in Halifax. Discussions on the pending Fisheries Commission request to the Scientific Council to: comment and advise on whether the Sargasso Sea provides forage area or habitat for living marine resources that could be impacted by different types of fishing; and on whether there is a need for any management measure including a closure to protect this ecosystem have been deferred until its September 2013 meeting, as noted in the meeting report.
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Lessons Learned shared with Central American Dome
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On 12 July, Kate Morrison was invited by MarViva to represent the SSA at an expert workshop in Panama, on the Central American Dome - an important high seas ecosystem like the Sargasso Sea. The Dome project has been in part modeled on the SSA. The meeting took place on occasion of the Central American Development and Environment Commission (CCAD, in Spanish), of the Central American Integration System (SICA, in Spanish). Attendees included the official liaisons of the environmental authorities of the countries in the region, and representatives of diverse sectors.
For more information, please click here.
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| Bermuda public outreach | |
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Dr. Samia Sarkis hosts SSA Exhibit at Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI). Credit: W. Wilson
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On 8 August, Dr. Samia Sarkis, SSA programme officer in Bermuda hosted an SSA Exhibit alongside other organizations at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), when Blue Halo hosted a lecture by Philippe Cousteau, Jr., who spoke of his legacy, his inherited passion for conservation, and his belief in marine protected areas, stressing the value of supporting the Blue Halo. The crowd was dynamic and enthusiastic; the SSA app for iPhones was very popular among the younger crowd. Environment Minister Sylvan Richards, a member of the SSA Steering Committee, attended. |
