Category Archives: Marine Conservation
OSPAR Intermediate Assessment 2017 – Launched!
After seven long years of work, today marks the day that OSPAR’s Intermediate Assessment 2017 is launched! IA2017, covering both status and trends across the North-East Atlantic, presents a picture of this important marine area and includes consideration of eutrophication, … Continue reading
Posted in biodiversity, Indicators, Marine Conservation, MSFD, OSPAR, Plankton, Policy
Tagged biodiversity, conservation, Indicators, knowledge exchange, Marine Conservation, marine policy, MSFD, OSPAR, policy, policy makers
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Why do policy makers need plankton taxonomy?
It might not seem intuitive, but plankton taxonomy is critically important to informing marine policy and conservation. At its most basic level, biodiversity is an inventory of the organisms present in an ecosystem. The recognition and identification of these organisms … Continue reading
Implementing the MSFD in Europe – an OSPAR COBAM workshop
In May I attended the OSPAR Intersessional Correspondence Group for Coordinated Biodiversity and Monitoring (COBAM) workshop in Marseille, France. OSPAR COBAM is responsible for leading development and operationalisation of indicators for marine pelagic biodiversity in Europe. The workshop focused on … Continue reading
Reflections on the science-policy interface
As a first year PhD student in Plymouth University’s Plankton and Policy research group, I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop run by OSPAR, about the integration of different biodiversity indicators into holistic ecosystem assessments. The workshop was part … Continue reading
Posted in Knowledge Exchange, Marine Conservation, MSFD, OSPAR, Policy
Tagged biodiversity, conservation, Indicators, knowledge exchange, Marine Conservation, marine policy, MSFD, OSPAR, policy, policy makers
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Plankton and Policy at Challenger 2016
The Challenger Society for Marine Science is the UK’s largest marine learned society. Challenger supports marine students and early career researchers through grants and training opportunities. Challenger 2016, the biannual Challenger Society for Marine Science conference was held in Liverpool … Continue reading
Time-series datasets are crucial to delivering Good Environmental Status
We are on a mission in Europe to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) for our seas (Who cares about the MSFD?). As with many marine policy or conservation efforts, good data are critical to success. When it comes to GES, … Continue reading
Posted in biodiversity, Fisheries, HABs, Indicators, Knowledge Exchange, Marine Conservation, MSFD, OSPAR, Plankton, Policy
Tagged biodiversity, conservation, CPR, Indicators, knowledge exchange, marine policy, MSFD, Plankton, policy
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Funded PhD at Plymouth Uni: Ecology and distribution of European sea bass
“Ecology and distribution of European Sea Bass in inshore and coastal waters in South West England” This one isn’t plankton-related, but my colleagues @Dr_Emma_Sheehan and @MJAttrill are looking for a PhD student to carry out a funded project examining South … Continue reading
Posted in Marine Conservation, PhdShip, students
Tagged PhD, Plymouth University, students
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Back to school….as a lecturer!
Tomorrow I start my new position as a lecturer in marine conservation at Plymouth University. Although incredibly sad to leave SAHFOS after 7 years (plus PhD), I am so excited to start my new career as a lecturer. I actually … Continue reading
Posted in Marine Conservation, students
Tagged Marine Conservation, Plymouth University
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Force majeure: Will climate change prevent Good Environmental Status in pelagic communities?
North Atlantic marine species are responding to climate change in multiple ways including changes in species distributions (bioegeographical shifts), community composition and alterations to seasonal cycles. Plankton, with their short lifespans and sensitivity to their surroundings, are particularly responsive to … Continue reading
Who cares about the Marine Strategy Framework Directive?
Europe’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is the most important piece of marine legislation that you have never heard of (unless you’re interested marine conservation). More encompassing than the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, which is often cited in the news … Continue reading
Plankton and Policy 