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Opinion We Must Advance Coastal Sea Level Monitoring from ON THE COVER A three foot tall predatory solitary hydroid Space provides habitat for white polychaete worms at more than 6,000 feet deep. Image was taken with ROV SuBastian onboard Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area.

4 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 24 30 34 38 42

Underwater Improving the Mapping the Protecting The Paradigm Shift Global Ocean Sea's Natural Changing Oceans Conservation Observing Defense Against Planning System: Climate Change Ecological Database Forecasts Challenges and to Improve Way Forward Fisheries Sustainability

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 5 Editor’s Letter

Senior Editor Kira Coley Art Direction Keith Meinhold Production Coordinator By Kira Coley, Senior Editor Keith Meinhold Observing Our Oceans Web News Coordinator Whitney Schwerin umankind's perpetual curiosity propels technological innovation. This, in turn, Circulation H progresses scientific discovery and exploration as locations that were previously Jessica Lewis remote and unseen, are now accessible and revealed. The arrival of autonomous [email protected] underwater robots and surface vehicles has played a leading role in the advance- ment of the ocean frontier. Better batteries and performance also mean longer-last- Advertising Sales ing missions, and the miniaturization of sensors has helped to reduce the cost and Lisa Chilik improve the efficiency of data-gathering. The arrival of smaller sensors has also +1-574-261-4215 revolutionized the space industry, igniting the rise of astropreneurship and the abili- [email protected] ty for research institutes to jump onboard the ‘space wagon’ by sending up sensors Mimi King at a fraction of the cost. And so, we have entered the age of Big Data. +44 (0) 77 7601 7564 Today, there are thousands of sensors swimming in our oceans and flying overhead, [email protected] trying to make sense of the marine environment and how (and why) it is changing. Published by The satellite altimetry record is unanimously recognized as an invaluable product that Technology Systems Corporation tells us by how much sea level is rising globally in response to global warming, says Patrick C. Lagrange, CEO French space geodesist Anny Cazenave. As one of the pioneers in satellite altim- etry, I am thrilled to have Anny open this issue’s theme, Ocean Observing Systems, Managing Editor with her thoughts on why and how we must advance coastal sea level monitoring Greg Leatherman from space. “Researchers and engineers are continually working on the next robot or software to Corporate help them understand the ocean and all organisms that call it home,” writes Carlie +1-772-221-7720 Wiener and Katherine Herries from the Schmidt Ocean Institute in our main story. [email protected] For this issue, they reveal how technologies are changing the way scientists study To Subscribe: the ocean and highlight recent expeditions aboard research vessel Falkor that are www.ecomagazine.com/subscribe redefining how marine research is conducted in the open ocean. But, as we know, observing the ocean is about more than collecting and analyzing data taken at that one time, in that one place. “So that we can understand how ocean life is responding to human use, we need standardized and regular, long-term obser- vations,” writes scientists from the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). In this story, they share their thoughts on the challenges the scientific community faces today in ocean observation and what more needs to be done to improve the global ocean observing system. Technology Systems Corp. We also hear from Esri’s chief scientist Dawn Wright, as she describes how location Environment Coastal & Offshore Magazine intelligence is helping scientists understand how to protect an important marine ally, ISSN # 2327-3445 is published 6 times a year seagrass, in combating global warming. Scientists from NOAA and the University by Technology Systems Corporation, 7897 SW Jack James Dr., Suite A, Stuart, FL 34997, of California Santa Cruz reveal how they utilized ecological forecasts to develop Telephone +1-772-221-7720. Copyright ©2018 Technology Systems Corp. All rights to editorial a NASA-funded dynamic management tool, EcoCast, that aims to increase fishery content are reserved. No article, photograph or sustainability by helping fishers avoid bycatch. And last but not least, Jorge G. Alva- illustration may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. rez-Romero of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, reveals a Unless otherwise stated in writing by the contrib- new global database to better guide marine conservation efforts. utor, all images submitted to TSC may be used in other promotional materials belonging to TSC without permission. Subscriptions are free to It’s great to see so many collaborative efforts underway today that work to combine qualified individuals orcompanies. For all others, and share data for the good of all. call TSC for subscription information. Printed in the USA. To all our readers, thank you for your fantastic support throughout 2018. I hope you enjoy this issue of ECO and have an excellent festive season.

6 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 AS SEEN IN ECO

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To be listed in the  Lisa Chilik New for 2019 Environmental Services  [email protected] Directory, please contact  one of our account +1-574-261-4215 Your magazine listing also representatives:  Mimi King includes a digital listing online  [email protected] at ecomagazine.com  +44 (0) 77 7601 7564 Study Finds Oceans Are Heating Up Quicker than Previously Thought

For each of the past 25 years, splandy's former postdoctoral advisor. measures the upper half of the ocean. oceans have absorbed an amount “The result significantly increases the Several reassessments of heat content of heat energy that is 150 times the confidence we can place in estimates have been made in recent years using energy humans produce as electric- of ocean warming and therefore helps the ocean temperature data – including ity annually, according to a Nature reduce uncertainty about climate sensi- the recent Argo data — which has led to study led by researchers at Scripps tivity,” Keeling said. Climate sensitivity upward revisions of the IPCC estimate. Institution of Oceanography at the is used to evaluate allowable emissions Resplandy and her co-authors used University of California San Diego for mitigation strategies. Most climate Scripps' high-precision measurements and Princeton University. scientists have agreed in the past de- of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the cade that if global average temperatures air made at stations around the world. The strong ocean warming researchers exceed pre-industrial levels by 2°C With it, they determined how much have found suggests that Earth is more (3.6°F), it is all but certain that society heat the oceans have stored during the sensitive to fossil-fuel emissions than will face widespread and dangerous time span they studied. They measured previously thought. Study lead author consequences of climate change. ocean heat by looking at the combined Laure Resplandy, a Princeton assistant amount of O2 and CO2 in air, a quantity professor of geosciences, said that The researchers' findings suggest that if they call “atmospheric potential oxygen” this estimate is more than 60 percent society is to prevent temperatures from or APO. The method depends on the higher than the figure in the most re- rising above that mark, emissions of fact that oxygen and carbon dioxide are cent assessment report from the United carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse both less soluble in warmer water. Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Cli- gas produced by human activities, must mate Change (IPCC). “Imagine if the be reduced by 25 percent more than As the ocean warms, these gases are re- ocean was only 30 feet deep,” said Re- what was previously estimated, Resp- leased into the air, which increases APO splandy, a former postdoctoral research- landy said. The researchers' results are levels. APO also is influenced by burn- er at Scripps Oceanography. “Our data the first to come from a measuring tech- ing fossil fuels and by an ocean process shows that it would have warmed by nique independent from the dominant involving the uptake of excess fossil-fuel 6.5°C (11.7°F) every decade since method behind existing research. CO2. By comparing the changes in APO 1991. In comparison, the estimate of they observed with the changes expect- the last IPCC assessment report would To calculate total heat content, pre- ed due to fossil-fuel use and carbon di- correspond to a warming of only 4°C vious estimates relied on millions of oxide uptake, the researchers were able (7.2°F) every decade.” measurements of ocean temperature. to calculate how much APO emanated Many came from a network of robotic from the ocean becoming warmer. That Scientists know that the ocean takes sensors developed by Scripps research- amount coincides with the heat-energy up roughly 90 percent of all the excess ers known as Argo. Gaps in coverage, content of the ocean. The researchers energy produced as the Earth warms, however, made this approach uncertain. estimate that the world's oceans took up so knowing the actual amount of en- more than 13 zettajoules of heat energy ergy makes it possible to estimate the Argo makes comprehensive measure- each year between 1991 and 2016. A surface warming that can be expected, ments of ocean temperature and salinity joule is the standard unit of energy. One said co-author Ralph Keeling, a Scripps across the globe, but complete network zettajoule equals one sextillion (or the Oceanography geophysicist and Re- data only goes back to 2007 and only number 1 followed by 21 zeroes) joules.

8 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 A New Global Framework Launched to Fund a Sustainable Blue Economy The world’s first global framework to finance a sustain- able ocean economy was launched at the Our Ocean conference on October 29. The Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles were de- veloped by the European Commission, WWF, World Resourc- es Institute (WRI), and the European Investment Bank (EIB). Started as a commitment by a dozen financial institutions and key stakeholders just a year ago, they are now set to become the gold standard to invest in the ocean economy—the “blue economy”—in a sustainable way.

Ocean ecosystems are under enormous pressure. With growth of the blue economy expected to double over the next decade, action is urgently needed to reverse this trend. Sustainable finance is a powerful solution. By engaging in- vestors, insurers and banks, the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles bring sustainability into the boardrooms of all ocean-based industries, from shipping, fisheries and tour- ism, to aquaculture, energy and biotechnology. To put the ification, this collaborative initiative to finance a sustainable principles into practice, an IT-based tool is being developed blue economy is not only timely and complementary—it is to help investment managers assess whether their investment absolutely urgent and necessary,” said Erik Solheim, Head decisions are verifiably sustainable. The organizations behind of UN Environment. A growing number of financial institu- the principles are convinced that this will show in practice how tions and stakeholders have already endorsed the initiative, profitability can go hand-in-hand with environmental and so- including Alimentos Ventures, Aloe Private Equity, Althelia cial stewardship, and how UN Sustainable Development Goal Ecosphere, Bonafide Ltd., Boston Common Asset Manage- 14 to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and ment, Fishing Accelerator, Greenbackers Investment Capital, marine resources” can be achieved. the International Capital Market Association, Investas – As- sociation luxembourgeoise des investisseurs privés, Mermaid The Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles will be- Investments, Ocean Assets Institute, the Ocean Data Alliance, come part of a new sustainable blue economy finance ini- Pure Salmon, The Nature Conservancy, Rockefeller Asset tiative under the auspices of the UN Environment Finance Management, SeaAhead, SKY - Ocean Rescue Fund and 8F Initiative (UNEP FI), which joins the European Commission, Asset Management. WWF, WRI and the EIB as a founding partner. The initiative, anticipated for 2019, will receive initial support from the Euro- Jonathan Taylor, Vice-President of the European Investment pean Commission. The principles are endorsed by the major Bank, said, “Cooperation is key to tackling global challenges international sustainable finance initiatives, including UN Envi- and protecting shared natural resources such as the oceans. ronment’s Principles for Sustainable Insurance Initiative (PSI) Together with its partners, the European Investment Bank has and the World Bank. been taking the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles forward to drive investment in this key sector. The welcome “Through our long-standing work with banks, insurers and endorsement of the Principles by UN Environment will help to investors, UN Environment has delivered landmark global ensure that they are implemented successfully. The EIB will frameworks and initiatives to finance a resilient, inclusive and continue to mobilize private capital towards the sustainable sustainable global economy. These include the Principles for blue economy, which is critical to secure the livelihoods of Responsible Investment in 2006, the Principles for Sustain- over three billion people.” With the new UN Environment-host- able Insurance in 2012, and now the upcoming Principles for ed sustainable blue economy finance initiative planned for Responsible Banking, which will be finalized next year. Amid 2019, it is expected that many more institutions will come intensifying threats to the ocean, from unsustainable fishing on board. Meanwhile, interested organizations can consult and plastic pollution, to coral reef destruction and ocean acid- the European Commission.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 9 onto dead reef areas allowing it to settle and transform into Robots to Restore the coral polyps or baby corals," Professor Harrison said. "The surviving corals will start to grow and bud and form new col- onies which will grow large enough after about three years to Great Barrier Reef become sexually reproductive and complete the life cycle." A ‘reef protector’ robot from the Queensland Univer- sity of Technology (QUT) is set to become 'mother' to The spectacular synchronized spawning of coral reproduction hundreds of millions of baby corals in a special deliv- on the Great Barrier Reef is a highlight on scientists' calen- ery coinciding with this month's annual coral spawning dars worldwide and is expected to take place in late Novem- on the Great Barrier Reef. ber. The researchers say by giving nature a helping hand through artificial means, it allows up to a 100-times increase In a world first, QUT's underwater robot RangerBot has been over previous methods. Dunbabin said delivering baby corals transformed into LarvalBot by QUT's robotics team, led by and helping to grow the Great Barrier Reef builds on the pio- Professor Matthew Dunbabin from the Institute for Future En- neering robotics technology developed to control the crown- vironments. of-thorns starfish. "I am passionate about protecting the reef in any way I can and extremely excited to have the opportunity Scientists collect hundreds of millions of coral spawn from to work with world leaders in coral reef restoration," he added. corals that have survived the two recent mass bleaching events. They're reared into baby corals in mass quantities in- "We aim to have two or three robots ready for the Novem- side large floating enclosures on the reef. Once developed ber spawn. One will carry about 200,000 larvae and the oth- (in around 5-7 days), the semi-autonomous robot, LarvalBot, er about 1.2 million. During operation, the robots will follow will help deliver the tiny baby coral larvae onto targeted reefs. preselected paths at constant altitude across the reef and a Reared larvae will also be distributed as 'larval clouds' on person monitoring will trigger the release of the larvae to max- damaged reef areas on a larger scale than previously possi- imize the efficiency of the dispersal." ble. The technique of delivering reared coral larvae onto reefs is known as 'larval restoration'. Dunbabin calculated the dispersal would cover 1,500 square meters per hour per robot. "This has the potential to revolu- Dunbabin is working with Southern Cross University's (SCU) tionize coral restoration on reefs worldwide," said Harrison. Professor Peter Harrison - pioneer of the coral larval resto- ration technique (coral IVF) - who is heading the overall re- The project has come to life after the researchers won search project. The collaboration between QUT and SCU, $300,000 from the Great Barrier Reef Foundation's Out of the funded by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, aims at restoring Blue Box Reef Innovation Challenge supported by the Tiffany damaged parts of the Great Barrier Reef and speeding up the & Co. Foundation. The Foundation's Managing Director Anna recovery of ecosystems affected by coral bleaching. Marsden said the recent IPCC report reinforced the closing window of opportunity for the world to act on climate change Large volumes of coral spawn will be captured and trans- and the sharp threat facing coral reefs globally. Dunbabin said ferred into fine mesh pools for almost a week until the larvae it was hoped reef rangers and other managers would use the are ready to be re-settled. "We concentrate the larvae and technology in the future. "Whilst this is new, we have trialed put some of these into LarvalBot to gently squirt the larvae the different technologies and are confident of its success."

Credit: Gary Cranitch, Queensland Museum LarvalBot gently squirts the coral larvae onto damaged reef areas. Credit: Queensland University of Technology

10 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 IMO Plans to Reduce Marine Plastic Are We Losing One of Our Biggest CO2 Fish Diversified in Shallow Waters 400 Litter from Ships Sinks? Million Years Ago The International Maritime Organiza- A study published in Global Biogeo- A new study published in Science tion (IMO) has pledged to address the chemical Cycles, spanning coastal suggests that the earliest fish species significant problem posed by plastics areas of the Northern Hemisphere, ex- originated in shallow waters, not coral to the marine environment, with the plored the magnitude of organic car- reefs. Using the fossil record and ex- adoption of an action plan which aims bon stocks stored and sequestered isting data on family tree relationships to enhance existing regulations and in- by eelgrass meadows. On average, from the middle Paleozoic era, 480 to troduce new supporting measures to eelgrass meadows stored 27.2 tons of 360 million years ago, researchers cre- reduce marine plastic litter from ships. organic carbon per hectare, although ated a database that involved 2,728 IMO’s Marine Environment Protection the variation between the regions was early records for jawed and jawless fish- Committee (MEPC) adopted the action considerable. Hotspots for carbon se- es. Mathematical modeling was used plan to contribute to the global solution questration were identified in the Kat- to fill the data gaps allowing for predic- for preventing marine plastic litter enter- tegat-Skagerrak region, and southern tions on the type of environment these ing the oceans through ship-based ac- parts of the Baltic Sea where the organ- primitive fish lived in. The study notes tivities. Recognizing that more needs to ic carbon stocks were over eight times that early vertebrates seemed to stay be done to address the environmental higher than in the Archipelago Sea of in shallow waters for long time periods and health problems posed by marine Finland. The high carbon storage ca- and became well adapted to living both plastic litter, IMO Member States meet- pacity of eelgrass meadows urges for along the seafloor and in deeper waters. ing in the MEPC agreed actions to be protection and restoration of this unique Researchers want to understand wheth- completed by 2025, which relate to all ecosystem. Especially in the areas with er shallow waters are still acting as the ships, including fishing vessels. The ac- the highest carbon stock capacity, eel- biological pump feeding coral reefs. If tion plan supports IMO’s commitment to grass deserve recognition as part of so, the mass extinction of reefs and the meeting the targets set in the UN 2030 global carbon marketing programs, say loss of biodiversity may be offset by the Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG the researchers. diversification found in shallow oceanic 14) on the oceans. waters.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 11 Brexit and Marine Science: Is the Picture Any Clearer? Insights by Dr. Matt Frost, Marine Biological Association Dep- uty Director, Head of Policy and Knowledge Exchange, and President of Mars (European Network of Marine Institutes and Stations) Note: This article was updated on November 15 when a draft withdrawal agreement has been announced but has yet to be agreed.

In August 2016, I submitted the Ma- cussion has been around rine Biological Association’s (MBA) re- ensuring continued ac- sponse to the House of Lords Select cess to these funds, or Committee on Science and Technology that other funding mech- inquiry ‘Leaving the EU: implications anisms are established. and opportunities for science and re- search’. Since then I have written arti- A key issue is that, ac- cles, given talks and run workshops on cording to these techni- marine science and Brexit, always with cal notices, although re- the hope that the next time I was invited searchers could continue to contribute to the debate, the picture to receive money from the would be clear as to the terms in which EU framework program the UK would be leaving the EU. such as the upcoming Horizon Europe (albeit on a ‘third party’ marine organizations as they develop It is therefore with some degree of frus- status), other types of EU funding such strategies to meet future challenges. For tration that more than two years after as the prestigious European Research example, discussions are already un- the referendum, marine scientists, along Council (ERC) Grants will not be avail- derway between UK scientists and their with the rest of the science community, able. A number of UK marine institutes European colleagues on the imminent are still far from clear over how best to currently benefit from ERC funding with Horizon 2020 call for project proposals plan for the future. the MBA alone holding two ERC grants, to examine ‘Inter-relations between cli- representing a significant proportion of mate change, biodiversity and ecosys- Despite a withdrawal agreement now its income for marine research. tem services’. being at least 'on the table', it is uncer- tain as to whether this will succeed and, It was good to see the announcement UK scientists can only hope that our even if it does, what a future trade deal of £1.6 billion for science and innova- European colleagues remain open to will look like. Adding to this uncertain- tion in the UK’s Autumn 2018 Budget UK scientists contributing and potential- ty is the question: why is there now a Statement. But there is no indication of ly leading bids when our future links to renewed focus on what happens if no how this will be allocated, and marine these programs are so uncertain. What- deal is reached at all? To this end, since research often struggles to articulate its ever the outcomes of the Brexit discus- August 2018 the UK government has importance alongside other priorities sions, marine science will not stop being published 105 technical notices on the despite the huge economic and envi- highly interdisciplinary and collaborative implications for a ‘no deal’, seemingly ronmental benefits that investing in ma- by nature, and big issues such as how indicating that this outcome is a real rine science is likely to bring. Arguments to use the marine environment in a more possibility. Some of these ‘no deal’ tech- over the potential impacts of Brexit on sustainable manner whilst developing nical notices deal with science funding, marine science funding have been well the blue economy will still need to be which, along with the status of EU ma- rehearsed, and how you feel about the addressed. rine scientists working in the UK and is- eventual outcome – be it positive or sues around marine environmental pro- negative - will probably reflect your po- The plea from the UK marine research tection, has been a central concern for litical views and who you are willing to community is only that whatever the out- marine scientists. With many marine sci- trust in lieu of any definitive decisions or come, the UK will be able to maintain ence organizations reporting between information. and enhance its reputation as a world- 10 and 25 percent of their income in class leader in marine science, for the recent years as being from the EU, it is The one thing that is clear is that the benefit of science, the marine environ- no surprise that a frequent topic of dis- ongoing uncertainty is not helpful for UK ment and wider society.

12 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 Scientists Can Now Watch Whales from Space

Scientists have used detailed high-resolution sat- are difficult to access by boats or planes, the traditional ellite images to detect, count and describe four means of monitoring whales. The ability to track whales different species of whales. The study is a big step without travelling to these remote and inaccessible areas, towards developing a cost-effective method to ob- in a cost-effective way, will be of great benefit to conser- serve whales in remote and inaccessible places, vation efforts for whales.” helping scientists to monitor population changes and understand behavior. The study also shows that fin and grey whales are the easiest to identify due to their body coloration, which For the study published in the journal Marine Mammal contrasts with surrounding water. Humpback whales and Science, each species was observed in one of their southern right whales are more difficult to detect as they known aggregation areas, where individuals come to- are a similar color to their environment. The acrobatic gether to congregate: southern right whales off Argenti- behavior of humpback whales also makes them harder na, humpback whales off Hawaii, fin whales in the Pela- to see as their body shape is often obscured. The team gos Sanctuary in the Mediterranean and grey whales off studied seven huge images of the open ocean taken by the coast of Mexico. It has already helped whale con- DigitalGlobe’s WorldView-3 satellite, covering over 5000 servation bodies to identify 10 key inaccessible whale kilometer2 – an area the size of the UK county of Norfolk populations that would benefit most from the applica- or the US state of Delaware. tion of satellite imagery in studies. Lead author Hannah Cubaynes, a whale ecologist at British Antarctic Survey Whale ecologist Dr. Jennifer Jackson at BAS and an au- (BAS) and University of Cambridge explains, “This is the thor on the paper, says “This new technology could be a most detailed imagery of whales captured by satellites game-changer in helping us to find whales remotely. Crit- to date. It’s exciting that the improved resolution (now ically endangered whale populations like the Chile-Peru at 30 centimeters) reveals characteristic features, such right whale (thought to winter in Patagonia) could really as flippers and flukes, which can be seen in the images benefit from this approach.” for the first time. Whales live in all oceans. Many areas

Study Suggests Yangtze Dams Threaten 'Robust' Corals Primed to Resist Coral Deepwater Horizon: Deep Sea Chemical Endangered Sturgeons Bleaching Dispersants Ineffective The damming of the Yangtze river in Using advanced genomic techniques, A new study published in Frontiers of 1981 has had a detrimental effect on researchers have found that the group Marine Science of the Deepwater Hori- migrating sturgeon fish, according to of corals classified as "robust," which zon response shows that substantial scientists at the China Institute of Water includes a number of brain corals and amounts of oil continued to surface near Resources and Hydropower Research. mushroom corals, have a key physio- the response site, despite 3,000 tons of It was unknown exactly how dam struc- logical advantage over "complex" corals subsea dispersants injection (or SSDI) tures were causing declines. This latest such as the staghorn coral. — a new spill response strategy meant study published in the journal Current to curb the spread of oil and facilitate Biology, has finally begun to reveal the In a new paper published in Genome its degradation. Dispersants application mechanism by which dams affect mi- Biology, researchers report that "robust" to manage surface oil spills has been grating fish such as the Chinese stur- corals possess a unique capacity to shown to break the oil into small, easily geon. Losses of effective breeding and generate an amino acid which is crucial dissolved droplets. However, the Deep- environmental capacity are highlighted in repairing tissue or growing new tissue. water Horizon was very different in that as two crucial issues. Remedial mea- Furthermore "robust" corals are less the oil entered the system at depth. The sures of fish rescue for existing dams, choosey about which microalgae can turbulent energy and pressure at such including fish passage facilities and take up residence in the coral's tissue. immense depths not only contributed restocking, have been insufficient or in- The ability to host a broader range of to the rapid expansion of the spill, but efficient. Researcher's hope that their microalgae could facilitate more rapid these natural forces helped disperse oil findings will lead to improved measures acclimation to higher temperatures. in micro-droplets and render the disper- that will help keep wild populations at a sant ineffective and unnecessary. sustainable level.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 13 "We don't yet have a slam-dunk measurement that we could NASA Pushes make on another planet to definitively say 'this is life,'" said Schmidt, who coordinates OAST and led the application ef- forts to establish it. "OAST's main goal is to take a suite of Exploration of Oceans in technologies into the field on Earth to make measurements side-by-side while returning samples to the lab to understand." Our Solar System Then, when that is very finely honed, send it aloft. Crucial Target Practice NASA Astrobiology Program awards $7 million to Geor- One of NFoLD's goals is to participate in future astrobiology gia Tech-led Oceans Across Space and Time alliance space missions from the start so that they can successfully to intensify the search for life in our solar system's identify target spots on other planets or moons where signs of present and past oceans. life could actually be detected if present. NASA has navigated our solar system with spacecraft and landers, but still, our celestial neighbors remain vast frontiers, "A major challenge for life detection is where on a given planet particularly in the search for life. Now, an alliance of research- or moon to look for life," said Jeff Bowman, deputy principal ers will accelerate the quest to find it. The NASA Astrobiology investigator of OAST and an assistant professor at Scripps Program has announced the establishment of the Network for Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. "The density Life Detection, NFoLD, which connects researchers to pursue of life on our own planet extends across several orders of the detection of life and clues thereof on our neighboring plan- magnitude. Look for life in the wrong place and Earth could ets and their moons. NFoLD includes an oceanic research appear lifeless." alliance led by the Georgia Institute of Technology. It is called Oceans Across Space and Time, OAST, and has received a OAST's team has the expertise to bridge earthly data and ce- $7 million NASA Astrobiology grant with the long-range goal lestial goals. Many of its 18 co-investigators and their teams of extracting secrets from present and past oceans on Mars, have already explored biogeochemistry in our own planet's Jupiter's icy moon Europa, and Saturn's moon Enceladus. eons-old rock record, in the atmosphere, the oceans, and the But OAST will also ramp up the study of the conditions that icecaps with an eye to extrapolating the data to other worlds. spawned first life in Earth's oceans. Other OAST researchers have helped design Mars probes or build robotic submarines intended to one day dive into "With OAST, we finally hit the perfect mix of people, science Europa's subsurface ocean to detect life or at least a hint of it. questions, and supporting activities to really go after some of the most important unknowns in astrobiology," said Brit- "OAST researchers have expertise in detecting and character- ney Schmidt, OAST's principal investigator and an assistant izing life in a variety of harsh environments like the Antarctic, professor in Georgia Tech's School of Earth and Atmospheric the deepest ocean trenches, and lakes with extreme chemis- Sciences. try and salinity," Bowman said. "We will leverage this expertise to understand how life may be distributed in different ocean NFoLD is one of five new Research Coordination Networks environmental extremes around the solar system." (RCN) that the NASA Astrobiology Program has announced. The other RCNs pull together research communities that in- Diverse Member Institutions clude the study of early Earth and its chemistry, evolution, OAST includes investigators from Scripps Institution of Ocean- distant habitable worlds, and exoplanet systems. ography at the University of California San Diego; the Univer- sity of Kansas; Louisiana State University; the Massachusetts Yellow Submarine on Europa Institute of Technology; Stanford University; the Blue Marble OAST could one day help NASA put a submarine on a rocket Space Institute of Science; the University of Texas; Colgate to Europa to look for life in the ocean beneath its ice crust. University; the University of California, the University of Central Or OAST could join NFoLD colleagues to help NASA explore Florida; the University of Auckland; York University; the Univer- parched Martian landscapes that once were oceans. But the sity of Otago, and the New Zealand National Institute of Water path to our space neighbors leads through studying Earth. and Atmospheric Research. "I'm particularly proud of the high Field and lab experiments on our planet will divulge more number of women and pre-tenure scientists we've engaged knowledge about chemical and biological evolutionary strate- through our project," said Schmidt. Five leaders in OAST are gies so that researchers can develop instruments and meth- women, and 12 researchers are early career or pre-tenure. odology that reliably detect signs of life on other planets and The project will also support graduate and undergraduate stu- moons. dents as well as postdoctoral researchers through the NASA Postdoctoral Program.

14 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 Engagement in Science Professor Alice Roberts. NERC Celebrates Judges will choose a winner from two finalists in three cat- egories: early-career impact, economic impact and societal impact. To further the impacts of their research, the winner of Impacts of UK Scientists each category will receive £10,000 and the runner-up £5,000. The category winner judged to have had the biggest impact will be the Impact Awards overall winner, and will receive an in Awards Shortlist additional £30,000 funding. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Natural History Museum on Monday 3 De- Paving the way for a satellite to monitor climate change by weighing the Earth's forests. Shedding light on the cember 2018. scale of microplastics in our oceans. Finding solutions Dr Peter Costigan, environmental consultant and chair of the to the threats to biodiversity in forests across the globe. 2018 judging and shortlisting panels, said “Headlines cele- Inventing an algorithm to predict - and help avoid - tur- brating scientific breakthroughs may grab our attention, but bulence on flights. And uncovering a new type of ener- the reality is it can take a long time for golden nuggets of gy reserve for the UK. research to have an impact in our everyday life. Delivering These are just some of the positive real-world impacts gen- impact is about keeping sight of the bigger picture - under- erated by UK environmental scientists on NERC's 2018 Im- standing how the detailed work in the lab or analyzing com- pact Awards shortlist, announced this month. Shortlisted plex datasets can translate into real world benefits. This is my and judged by independent panels of esteemed academic, second time acting as chair of the Impact Awards judging industry and government figures, these awards celebrate panel, and I still find reading impact case studies fascinating. NERC-funded scientists, as individuals or teams, whose work This year's shortlist reminds me that NERC-funded research is has had a big impact on the economy or society in the UK or dynamic, exciting and incredibly varied. And the impact can be internationally. This year's judges include former UK Environ- just as exciting and varied, and sometimes comes in ways that ment Secretary Lord Deben, Chairman of the Committee on were not obvious or expected at the outset.” Find the full list of Climate Change, and BBC presenter and Professor of Public shortlisted research on the NERC website www.nerc.ukri.org

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 15 Study Explains Dramatic Decline in US Commercial Shellfish

Landings Graph showing oyster landings from Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland-Virginia from 1980 to 2005. Source: US Fisheries Statistics The 85 percent decline in US commercial shellfish and Fisheries of the US. Credit: Mackenzie et al. 2018 landings between 1980 and 2010 are likely linked to environmental factors, not overfishing. American lobsters from southern Massachusetts to New Jer- Researchers have identified the causes of the sharp decline sey, however, have fallen sharply as water temperatures in in documented landings of the four most commercially-im- those areas have risen. portant bivalve mollusks -- eastern oysters, northern quahogs, softshell clams and northern bay scallops – in US estuaries "A major change to the bivalve habitats occurred when the and bays from Maine to North Carolina, between 1980 and NAO index switched from negative during about 1950 to 2010. Warming ocean temperatures associated with a posi- 1980, when winter temperatures were relatively cool, to posi- tive shift in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), which led to tive, resulting in warmer winter temperatures from about 1982 habitat degradation including increased predation, are the key until about 2003," said lead author, Clyde Mackenzie. "We reasons for the decline of these four species in estuaries and suggest that this climate shift affected the bivalves and their bays from Maine to North Carolina. The NAO is an irregular associated biota enough to cause the declines." fluctuation of atmospheric pressure over the North Atlantic Ocean that impacts both weather and climate, especially in Research from extensive habitat studies show that body weights of the bivalves, their nutrition, timing of spawning, and mortalities from predation were sufficient to force the decline. Other factors likely affecting the decline were poor water qual- ity, loss of eelgrass in some locations for larvae to attach to and grow, and not enough food available for adult shell- fish and their larvae. In late spring-early summer of 2018, a cool spell combined with extremely cloudy weather may have interrupted scallop spawning, leading to what looks like poor recruitment this year. Last year, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard had very good harvests due to large recruitments in 2016. "The rates of survival and growth to eventual market size for shellfish vary as much as the weather and climate," Mackenzie added.

Clyde Mackenzie, Warren Gaines and Jason Mallory during an October Weak consumer demand for shellfish, particularly oysters, in 15 check on the bay scallop populations on Martha’s Vineyard. Credit: Deborah M. Gaines the 1980s and early 1990s has shifted to fairly strong de- mand as strict guidelines were put in place by the Interstate the winter and early spring in eastern North America and Eu- Shellfish Sanitation Conference in the late 1990s regarding rope. Shifts in the NAO affect the timing of species' reproduc- safe shellfish handling, processing and testing for bacteria tion, growth and availability of phytoplankton for food, and and other pathogens. Enforcement by state health officials predator-prey relationships, all of which contribute to species has been strict. The development of oyster aquaculture and abundance. The findings appear in Marine Fisheries Review. increased marketing of branded oysters in raw bars and Researchers also note the related decline by an average of 89 restaurants has led to a large rise in oyster consumption in percent in the numbers of shellfishermen who harvested the recent years. Since the late 2000s, the NAO index has gener- mollusks. The landings declines between 1980 and 2010 are ally been fairly neutral, neither very positive nor negative. As a in contrast to much higher and consistent shellfish landings consequence, landings of all four shellfish species have been between 1950 and 1980. Exceptions to these declines have increasing in some locations. Poor weather for bay scallop been a sharp increase in the landings of northern quahogs recruitment in both 2017 and 2018, however, will likely mean in Connecticut and American lobsters in Maine. Landings of a downturn in landings during the next two seasons.

16 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 Enhanced Views of Earth Tectonics Dissolving Seabed Raises Fears for Oxygen Levels Impact on Species' Scientists from Germany’s Kiel Univer- Future Ability and Willingness to Fight sity and the British Antarctic Survey The ocean floor is dissolving rapidly as Scientists at the University of Plymouth (BAS) have used data from the Euro- a result of human activity, according to have discovered that different flow re- pean Space Agency's Gravity field and study published in PNAS. Normally the gimes and oxygen levels within the steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer deep-sea seabed is a chalky white, marine environment are likely to result (GOCE) mission to unveil key geological composed mostly of the mineral calcite in conflict. Writing in theJournal of Ex- features of the Earth’s lithosphere – the (CaCO3) formed from skeletons and perimental Biology, they say that condi- rigid outer layer that includes the crust shells of planktonic organisms and cor- tions also play a key role in an individ- and the upper mantle. Published in the als. The seafloor plays a crucial role in ual's resources of strength and stamina journal Scientific Reports, the study is controlling the degree of ocean acidifi- and -- consequently -- their success in a step forward in the quest to image cation. The dissolution of calcite neutral- such battles. The study is part of a long- the structure and setting of different izes the acidity of the CO2 and prevents term investigation into the behavior of continents using satellite gravity data, seawater from becoming too acidic. But sea anemones, funded through a grant including Antarctica, the least under- the study shows, at least in hotspots from the Biotechnology and Biological stood piece of the whole plate tectonic such as the Northern Atlantic and the Sciences Research Council. The study puzzle. Satellite gravity provides a new Southern Ocean, CO2 in the water is so could be particularly relevant amid con- tool to link the remote and ice-covered high that calcite is being dissolved. Re- tinuing changes to the marine environ- continent with the rest of the Earth. This searchers believe this is only a foretaste ment brought on by global warming. improves our understanding of Antarcti- of the way that the ocean floor will likely The results showed anemones who had ca’s deep structure, which is particularly be affected in future. They plan to look been living in aerated water were more important, as the properties of its litho- at how this deep ocean bed dissolution likely to initiate combat, and more suc- sphere can also influence the overlying is likely to evolve over the coming cen- cessful in it, than their oxygen-deprived ice sheets. turies under various potential CO2 emis- rivals. sion scenarios.

far outweighs the investment to protect and enhance our Texas’s New Plan for coast. Texas’ coast is home to one in every four Texans and 30 percent of the American oil refining sector resides here. Protecting its Coast The Coastal Texas Study is about protecting our people, our economy and our national security. The options selected are proven to be effective in mitigating the deadly effects Against Storms of storm surge on our state. I thank the US Army Corps of Engineers and look forward to continuing this vital cooper- On 26 October, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) ative effort.” and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (US- ACE) announced the release of the Coastal Texas The draft environmental impact statement released includes Protection and Restoration Study Draft Integrated the Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) which uses a multiple Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact State- lines of defense strategy to reduce risks to our communities ment, a milestone in the effort to reduce the risk and infrastructure along the entire Texas coastline. The TSP along the Texas coast from dangerous storm surges develops an integrated comprehensive plan for the coast and other threats. of Texas that includes constructing surge gates to reduce coastal storm damage risks to the Houston Ship Channel, Since 2015, GLO and USACE have worked cooperatively levees along Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Island, beach on a first-of-its-kind feasibility study formulating risk reduc- and dune renourishment along the lower coast, and nine tion solutions to address coastal storm risks to the vast landscape scale ecosystem restoration projects to increase and important Texas coastline. A copy of the report can be resilience and reduce risks to the coast of Texas. The fea- downloaded here http://coastalstudy.texas.gov/. tures will work together to greatly increase the resiliency of the Texas Coast. The estimated cost is $23 to $31 billion. “Texas is not a state that happens to have a coast, Tex- The Coastal Texas Study complies with the National Envi- as is a true coastal state,” said Texas Land Commissioner ronmental Policy Act (NEPA) and considers the impacts the George P. Bush. “One storm can cost many lives and bil- project will have on natural, economic, social and cultural lions of dollars in damage, so the expense of doing nothing resources.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 17 “The dive experience was very exciting, and so much was go- A Rare 360 View of ing on that even with the dome viewport I couldn't appreciate it all. I was mostly only looking down because my project was about urchins on the seafloor”, said Dr. Aaron Galloway, assis- the Deepest Part of the tant professor at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology. “The 360 video allows us to go back and see the whole habitat; the technology allows you to pan around in all dimensions and Salish Sea make new discoveries, long after the thrill of the dive is over.” Scientists capture 360-degree video of the deepest part of the Salish Sea from manned submersible Scientists also captured photographs using a stereoscopic camera that takes pairs of images to create a three-dimension- Research scientists and explorers captured 360-degree im- al effect, similar to human eyesight, and also allows for gather- ages to depths of nearly 1000 feet near Friday Harbor in the ing quantitative information about the environment – such as San Juan Islands during the 2018 Salish Sea Survey Expe- measuring fish to precise lengths and doing a full 360-degree dition. The Boxfish 360 camera, courtesy of Oceans 360, a reconstruction of the visual field. Provided by NOAA’s Alaska non-profit focused on increasing awareness of the importance Fisheries Science Center, this was the first time the stereo- of the world’s oceans, was mounted to the exterior of Cyclops scopic camera has been deployed on a manned submersible. 1, a 5-person manned submersible, owned and operated by OceanGate Inc. Dive time for all three research projects during the 2018 Sal- ish Sea Survey Expedition was funded by the SeaDoc Soci- The expedition, conducted in early September 2018, included ety as part of their annual competitive grants program, with seven dives over five days to allow three teams of scientists additional funding provided by the OceanGate Foundation. to observe the feeding strategies of deep-sea red urchins, The expedition was based at the University of Washington Fri- document the sand wave habitat of Pacific sand lances, and day Harbor Laboratories in Friday Harbor, Washington. assess the potential impacts of scientific trawling on the eco- system. “Cyclops class submersibles are equipped with multiple ex- ternal ports and mounting positions in an effort to accommo- An internally mounted GoPro Omni and the external Boxfish date equipment necessary to meet the specific objectives of 360-degree cameras were deployed during all research proj- every single expedition.” commented Stockton Rush, Ocean- ects and helped to document the existence of red urchins at Gate CEO and Chief Pilot, “Whether it is additional cameras a depth of 284 meters (932 feet) – more than twice the depth like the 360 and stereoscopic camera used during the Salish previously recorded. Red urchins feed on kelp that typically Sea Expedition, or other sampling and survey equipment our grows in depths of less than 100 feet, so documenting the ex- goal is to provide a deep sea platform that is adaptable to the istence of urchins at more than nine times this depth validates needs of the client.” the flow of this food source from shallow subtidal kelp forests to the deepest parts of the Salish Sea.

Credit: OceanGate

18 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 New Antarctic Field Season Begins Science and support teams from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are gearing up for the start of the Antarctic summer field season. A major focus for the season is the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS), one of the largest potential sources of future sea-level rise.

From November 2018 to April 2019, team fromt the University of Manches- er than ever before using the hot-water scientists from BAS, UK universities and ter who are pioneering new technology technique. international research organizations will to locate the ‘lost’ meteorites of Antarc- carry out an ambitious program of sci- tica. Ice core drilling in West Antarctica entific investigations to determine how (WACSWAIN). A European Research the ice sheet, oceans and wildlife will Professor David Vaughan, BAS Di- Council funded campaign to drill an ice respond to a warmer world. rector of Science, says, “This is one core through to the bedrock on Skytrain of the most exciting times of year for Ice Rise to collect climate data span- BAS’s logistics and operational experts British Antarctic Survey. Our scientists ning 120,000 years. in Cambridge, and Antarctica are busy and engineers and logistics teams at preparing to support science on its research stations, on ships and on air- International Thwaites Glacier Collab- ships, at its research stations and at craft have spent years planning a very oration. This is the first field season field camps in some of the most remote ambitious program that will provide an- for the ambitious UK-US collaboration, and inhospitable places on earth. swers to the big questions about Ant- which aims to understand the process- arctica’s changing environment. The es on Thwaites Glacier and reduce Construction of a new wharf at Rothera deep fieldwork on the West Antarctic uncertainty on how it is contributing to Research Station started in November Ice Sheet will be extremely challeng- global sea-level rise. in preparation for the new polar ship – ing for science and support teams, but the RSS Sir David Attenborough. More their efforts will make a huge difference Biological research campaigns on than 50 expert construction workers to our understanding of the contribution board the RRS James Clark Ross and from BAS construction partner BAM will that this sector of the continent makes at Rothera Research Station will focus be on site. to global sea-level rise.” on how plants and animals adapt to a changing polar environment. Scientists A team of specialists at Halley Research Three major projects focused on how will collect oceanographic data with a Station begin a new project to automate the WAIS will respond in a warming range of equipment including gliders scientific instruments that capture data world are: and robotics to understand how the such as ozone concentration, space Southern Ocean is responding to envi- weather and upper atmosphere obser- The biggest single field project in the ronmental change. At the sub-Antarctic vations. At the same time, glaciologists history of BAS, known as BEAMISH. research stations of Bird Island, King will be investigating the latest behavior Using hot-water drilling technology, pio- Edward Point and Signy Island, scien- of the Brunt Ice Shelf. neered by BAS engineers, scientists will tists will continue to study the enigmatic drill more than two kilometers through wildlife that inhabit the islands such as In the deep field, BAS is supporting a the fast-flowing Rutford ice stream, to albatrosses and fur seals, and gentoo host of projects including one with a the bed of the ice sheet. This is deep- and macaroni penguins.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 19 20 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 Opinion: We Must Advance Coastal Sea Level Monitoring from Space Words by Anny Cazenave

Anny Cazenave is a French space geodesist and one of the pioneers in satellite altimetry. She works at the Laboratoire d'Etudes en Geophysique et Oceanographie Spatiale (LEGOS) at Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées in Toulouse. Since 2013, she is director of Earth sciences at the International Space Sciences institute (ISSI), in Bern (Switzerland). As one of the leading scientists in the joint French/American satellite altimetry missions TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, and the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, she has contributed to a greater under- standing of sea level rise caused by global warming. Cazenave was a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and was the lead author of the sea level sections for their fourth and fifth Assessment Reports.

oday about 600 million people live near the sea loading, solid Earth’s deformations, and gravita- T (mostly concentrated in several of the largest tional changes in response to mass redistributions world megacities), and this number will double by caused by past and present-day land ice melt and 2060. Sea level rise and its impacts in the coastal land water storage changes. zones is a question of growing interest in the scien- tific community. And with reports of climate change At local scales, particularly in coastal areas, ad- impacts, hurricanes and storm surges, it has quick- ditional small-scale processes overlay the glob- ly caught the attention of the media and the public. al mean and regional sea level components and Because of the obvious importance for adaption can cause coastal sea level to substantially devi- purposes and associated socio-economic issues, ate from open ocean sea level rise. For example, measuring and understanding present-day sea lev- changes in small-scale currents, as well as fresh- el change, as well as accurately projecting future water input in river estuaries, can modify the den- sea level rise under different global warming sce- sity structure of sea water, hence coastal sea level. narios, stand among the highest priorities in ocean Changes in wind, waves, shelf bathymetry, along- and climate research. shore and cross-shore sediment transport, vertical land motions, land use change, and urbanization The Problem with Monitoring Sea Level are additional physical processes, known as ‘forc- Sea level varies over a broad range of scales over ing factors’, that can modify sea level variations time and space. Present-day, decadal changes in in the coastal zone across interannual to decadal sea level are attributed to many factors that result time periods. Unlike global mean and regional sea from changes in the ocean, the terrestrial hydro- level, which has been routinely monitored for the sphere, the cryosphere, and the solid Earth, mak- last 25 years from space by a series of satellite al- ing sea level monitoring a unique and integral di- timetry missions, coastal sea level changes remain agnostic of global change affecting the planet. The poorly known and mostly un-surveyed on a global physical processes causing a rise in global mean scale, even though they have a direct impact on sea level and regional changes are not identical, human society. although they are related. Monitoring from Space: What have we learned? The primary cause of the rise in global mean sea When it comes to a global average, sea level is level is the increase in ocean thermal expansion, one of the best indicators of climate change. It land ice melt, and land water storage change. combines changes occurring in the Earth’s climate Changes to the geographical patterns of sea levels, system in response to natural internal climate vari- however, results from the superposition of ‘finger- ability (known as unforced factors), as well as nat- prints’ caused by different processes. These pro- ural and anthropogenic external climate variability cesses include changes in seawater density due to (known as forced factors). These factors include variations in temperature and salinity, atmospheric the net contribution of ocean warming, land ice

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 21 22 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 melt, and changes in water storage in continental ocean? Can we constrain the Earth’s energy im- river basins. For some components, changes that balance and its temporal variations with improved occur over time are directly reflected in the global global mean sea level observations? Is the regional mean sea level time series. variability in sea level solely due to internal climate variability or can we already detect the fingerprint Study of the sea level budget (the difference be- of anthropogenic forcing? And what regions will be tween the calculated and observed global mean affected first? sea level) highlights constraints on missing or poorly known contributions such as the deep As well as the need for long-term sea level change ocean, which has been under sampled by cur- monitoring from space at global and regional rent observing systems, or still uncertain changes scales, a major gap still remains. It concerns coast- in water storage on land due to human activities al sea level changes. (e.g., groundwater depletion in aquifers). The glob- al mean sea level which has been corrected for Coastal populations want to know the total sea lev- ocean mass change allows one to independently el rise relative to the ground, i.e., the climate-relat- estimate changes in total ocean heat content over ed global mean rise and superimposed regional time, from which the Earth’s energy imbalance can change, plus local changes. The latter results from be deduced. a variety of drivers of climatic, natural and anthro- pogenic origin that interact together in a non-linear This global sea level indicator, as well as the global manner. A mandatory first step to understanding sea level budget, are now considered in the State- these processes at work is providing precise ob- ment on the State of the Global Climate. This is servation-based estimates of present-day (relative) delivered on a yearly basis by the World Meteo- sea level variations at the coast. This step will also rological Organization to inform governments, in- help us further achieve a realistic evaluation of the ternational agencies, and the general public about impacts of sea level rise in coastal environments. the global climate, as well as weather and climate trends at the global and regional levels. In order to achieve this, accurate monitoring of sea level changes from space along the world coastal What We Still Don't Know zones must be given top priority. Coastal zones are When combined with precise satellite orbits, sci- highly under-sampled by tide gauges and currently entists use altimetry as a technique for measuring unsurveyed (within 20 kilometers to the coast) by sea surface height from space. Satellite altimetry conventional altimetry missions. This implies the measures the time taken by a radar pulse to travel development of an easy-to-use database of multi- from the satellite antenna to the surface and back decade-long, multi-mission gridded coastal altime- to the satellite receiver. The altimetry record is try products. unanimously recognized as an invaluable product that tells us by how much sea level is rising globally Today, such a global coastal-altimetry-based sea in response to global warming, and how it chang- level record does not exist, although it could be de- es regionally in response to the natural internal cli- veloped by dedicated reprocessing of conventional mate variability. This means it is essential to ensure nadir altimetry missions such as the Jason series that observations of global and regional sea level and Envisat, and the systematic use of new synthet- variations from space are not only sustained, but ic-aperture radar (SAR) technology implemented increasing in accuracy. in recent European Space Agency missions (e.g., CryoSat-2 and Sentinel-3). A longer, more accurate sea level record will help answer the many questions still asked by the sci- To understand the impacts of climate change and entific community such as: Does the recently re- human interventions affecting the world coastal corded sea level rise acceleration represent a long- zones, we must define new types of indicators and term shift towards a new climate regime? As the ice monitor them in a sustained way so that we can sheets melt, how much and how abruptly will these develop strategies of coastal adaptation for the changes in contribution affect the global sea lev- numerous impacts that affect coastal populations. el? How much heat has already reached the deep Coastal sea level being one of them.

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam - October 18, 2016: On a flooded street in Vietnam, a crowd of people try to ride motorcycles and wade in water. NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 23 Underwater Paradigm Shift How advancing technologies are changing the way scientists study the ocean

Words by Katherine Herries and Carlie Wiener, Schmidt Ocean Institute. All photos: Schmidt Ocean Institute.

24 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 A Flightwave Edge UAV, piloted by Trent Lukaczyk, flies towards R/V Falkor. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle worked in concert with underwater robotics and the crew onboard the ship gathering data.

eople are always looking for the latest technology with the Schmidt Ocean Institute prides itself on being at the forefront P newest phone, computer, or coffee maker to make their of innovative marine research. The development of technology lives easier. The same holds true in marine science. Research- is one of the organization’s main areas of focus. Ten separate ers and engineers are continually working on the next robot Falkor expeditions in 2018 have been completed with the mis- or software to help them understand the ocean and all or- sion of understanding the ocean using innovative technolo- ganisms that call it home. Traditional oceanographic research gies. Each science and engineering team that comes aboard methods typically require a ship, sonar, specialist instruments, applies their research to solving important questions about and a research crew to collect and preserve samples. Most ocean health, ranging from such wide interests as tracking the observations of subsurface phenomena from the surface of a mysterious behavior of white sharks to the mapping of critical ship are fairly restrictive. Satellite and acoustical instruments deep reef structures. have been useful in expanding our ability to ‘see’ the depths but much remains hidden below the surface. "We can see the The scientists and engineers participating in research on surface of the ocean using remote sensing, but when it comes Falkor are discovering, experimenting, and developing new to knowing what is going on under water, then it is very diffi- ways to understand more about ocean cycles, and challeng- cult. However, this is beginning to change," explains Dr. João ing limitations in how we study and explore the ocean. Along Borges de Sousa of the University of Porto. with testing new oceanographic equipment and using multiple robotic systems simultaneously, research teams have creat- One group at the forefront of this shift is Schmidt Ocean Insti- ed new software programs and approaches to data retrieval tute. Cofounded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, Schmidt Ocean and processing. "Everything we send into the ocean to make Institute is creating a space for scientists to both study the observations or measurements requires development, rede- ocean as well as test and experiment with new technologies velopment, and fine-tuning, no matter what,’ said Dr. Andrew aimed at advancing the pace of ocean science. Expeditions Babbin, a principal investigator on an expedition earlier this aboard the research vessel Falkor frequently carry an array year. “The systems being developed are not only high technol- of robots such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), ogy but contain the intelligence of the scientists that created unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), autonomous surface vehi- them.” cles (ASVs), gliders and the Institute’s 4,500-meter capable remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian. The research To get a better understanding of the types of technologies teams that come aboard Falkor use the newest technologies and projects being implemented, we review some of the excit- to redefine how marine research is conducted. ing expeditions that have taken place this year.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 25 26 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 Coordinating Robotics With six AUVs and two ASVs aboard Falkor, the scientists and engineers from the Australian Center for Field Robotics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), University of Rhode Island, University of Michigan and Massachusetts In- stitute of Technology (MIT) continued to refine new ways of habitat mapping. In January, the team set out on the Au’Au’ channel off the coast of Maui to operate multiple robots in the water with limited human interaction. "The challenges today are more in terms of trying to get these systems to behave sensibly and predictably enough that we can trust them to do what they need to do if we are not there to tell them," ex- plained principal investigator Dr. Oscar Pizarro from Australian Center for Field Robotics. chemical, and biological features of a moving front. “Fronts” are sites where drastic changes occur within the properties of Coordinated robots can record more data than a single ship waters, such as regions where warm masses of water meet or vehicle, and this was exemplified by the plethora of infor- cold currents. Using this fleet of autonomous vehicles, the mation collected during their 19-day expedition. Some of the team was able to measure the drastically different environ- data researchers were able to obtain included imagery, ocean ments on time-space scales not previously possible by ship floor mapping, ocean temperature, chlorophyll, current, salini- or aircraft studies alone. ty, and more. The massive amounts of data it takes to get this “big picture” takes too much time for humans to both gather Dr. Blair Thornton, principal investigator from the University of and process, but robotics and machine learning allow for effi- Southampton (adjunct University of Tokyo), also built on this cient and accurate collection of this information. idea of intelligent robots during his July expedition aboard Falkor off the US West Coast. Thornton and his team imple- Another expedition this year also used a fleet of robots. The mented a form of artificial intelligence, called unsupervised "Exploring Fronts with Multiple Robotics" expedition continued learning, to allow a suite of AUVs to make decisions to map in- to test multiple robotics, but also used Falkor as part of a fleet. teresting features of a large seafloor and dynamic cold seep. The ship-based trial integrated a networked vehicle system The artificial intelligence algorithm carried out work quickly (called SINVS) which comprised of a Wave Glider and a Sail- in the field, that otherwise would have taken a small team of drone, two unique ASVs, along with multiple AUVs and UAVs, experts several weeks if not months to interpret. The algorithm and the shipboard Ocean Space Center set up in the ship’s highlighted areas of interest within hours of the data being Science Control Room. The SINVS system was supported by collected allowing the team to create dive plans for two more a suite of novel software for planning, control, and commu- AUVs and ROV SuBastian. This allowed the scientists and nication. Using this advanced technology, the scientists on engineers aboard Falkor to have quick turnaround times for board were able to find, track, and sample various physical, creating better information for site selection. “Many people

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 27 28 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 think that if we have the robots, then the challenge of studying the ocean is solved. However, the robot is only a platform to collect data, which humans need to inter- pret and understand in order to build new insight,” said Thornton.

Developing New Tools During the "Eddy Exploration" expedition in northern Hawaiian waters, the robots used did not even have to be brought aboard the ship to retrieve their collected data. Using a combination of in situ robotic tools (such as long range AUVs and a Wave Glider ASV) the team was able to characterize the water column features of interest within and across an eddy field, a large 10-100 kilometer circular current. The data was communicated back to Falkor in near real-time for integration and display alongside various shipboard instruments. Roman Marin from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute explains that "We need to know what’s going on and we need to know quickly." This setup allowed the science and engineering team to adaptively monitor and sample the eddy as it changed across space and time, especially in regards to oceanographic features such as detecting changes in chlorophyll or particle abundance.

Historically, observation and sampling have relied heavily on ship-based activities, which can limit the resolution of accurate sampling. Drs. Andrew Babbin, MIT, and Karen Casciotti, Stanford University, led a Falkor expedition this year in the Eastern Pacific aimed to develop an autonomous sampling technology that can incubate and document microbial processes while underwater. The devices they created send specialized chambers down to various depths and stay there, collecting data for up to 24 hours. Usually, these measurements are made on the ship using water samples in conditions that simulate the state and depth that they were obtained in. With in situ devices, the efficiency and number of samples and experiments increased, while reducing the risk of contamination. "There is absolutely no substi- tute to deploying in situ devices in the open ocean at depth," said Babbin. “These findings could be game-changing in our understanding of ocean microbes, and allow researchers to better predict how a warming climate and expansion of low oxygen ‘dead zones’ will threaten the livelihoods of many coastal communities.”

Shifting Tides New technologies are changing the way scientists can do their work by advancing their progress and efficiency, allowing for greater discoveries in areas that have always evaded scientists. “At the moment humans generally make the decisions. But if we can prove that interpretations made by the vehicles can be trustworthy, then we will be confident enough to hand over the responsibility without jeopardiz- ing valuable opportunities to get important information," explains Thornton.

Having robots work together and make critical decisions correctly allows scientists to cover more ground and make better informed decisions. There is a lot of time and development that goes into each and every robot and algorithm, but "it is a long-term investment that will transform how we do ocean science." The quick wit of these new technologies can create a better understanding of the dynamic ocean which will, in turn, further our knowledge for society, policies, and decisions that need to be made.

Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) is unique in its ability to provide science and en- gineering teams time aboard a technologically advanced research vessel where they can focus their days at sea exclusively on testing and development. “At SOI, we are gearing up for the future, and the new ways oceanography will be done,” said Co-Founder Wendy Schmidt. “We’re always excited and curious to see what scientists who conduct research on board Falkor will come up with, and how, to- gether, we can push the existing boundaries of marine research.”

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 29 Improving the Global Ocean Observing System: Challenges and Way Forward Words by Patricia Miloslavich, Nic Bax, Samantha Simmons, Daniel Dunn and Albert Fischer, Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)

The more we use the ocean, the more it to any new opportunities. And yet, not Over the next three decades, the observ- changes. all ocean life can be monitored every- ing systems developed and implement- rom transport and recreation to re- where, anytime. Nor does it need to be. ed by GOOS partners, and efforts of F newable energy and waste disposal, Relevant changes in marine biodiversity, the World Meteorological Organization the number of people depending on the its function, and the services it provides (WMO), the UN Environment (UNEP), oceans is growing each and every day. can be detected by monitoring some of and the International Council for Sci- As changes occur, life within the ocean its essential variables. ence (ICSU), have provided the frame- is being affected. This can have poten- work to evaluate the role of the ocean in tial consequences for the valuable ser- In the face of climate change, many of the global climate system. These efforts vices the ocean provides, from food to the world’s nations seek to improve their have also helped to build the operation- the oxygen we breathe. capabilities in forecasting and managing al oceanography infrastructure used by marine resources. As a result, the Glob- marine industries today such as fisher- So that we can understand how ocean al Ocean Observing System (GOOS) ies and shipping trade, and environmen- life is responding to human use, we was established. Created in 1991 by the tal agencies around the world. What’s need standardized and regular, long- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Com- more, GOOS data streams support term observations. Without the knowl- mission (IOC) of the United Nations Ed- climate assessments of the United Na- edge generated by these observations, ucational and the Scientific and Cultural tions Framework Convention on Climate we will not be able to predict potential Organization (UNESCO), GOOS would Change (UNFCCC). Information which future changes and plan accordingly – help to mitigate the effects of natural is increasingly becoming the basis for either by effectively managing or mitigat- disasters, for the better use and protec- assessing ocean health and changes ing adverse changes, or by responding tion of the ocean and coastal zones. that may occur in the future.

30 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 Framework for Ocean Observing Italy envisioned a societally relevant, Physics and Climate Panel (OOPC), In the late 1990s, sampling require- multidisciplinary and sustained strategy working in collaboration with GCOS and ments were developed that considered for ocean observations, defined in the the World Climate Research Programme the technical feasibility and impact for “Framework for Ocean Observing." This (WCRP), the Biogeochemistry Panel improving climate change forecasting framework called for an expansion of which is built on the International Ocean for both in situ and satellite observing new physical, biogeochemical, and Carbon Coordination Project (IOCCP), platforms. These improvements were biological observations - now known and the Biology and Ecosystems Panel associated with the ability to monitor a as Essential Ocean Variables. It also (GOOS BioEco). The panels are also re- number of "essential variables" outlined promotes the development of innovative sponsible for promoting standards and by the Global Climate Observing System technologies while balancing with the interoperability of data and information (GCOS). Essential variables included need for long-term stability. products based on end user needs. physical observations (such as sea sur- face and subsurface temperatures, salin- Observing a Dynamic System Next, each GOOS Panel had to define ity, sea level, etc), some biogeochemical Following the Framework, multidisci- their Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs). observations (such as nutrient and car- plinary observations under GOOS aims The Physics and Climate Panel and bon dioxide concentrations) and a very to address climate, real-time services Biogeochemistry Panel selected EOV’s limited number of biological observa- and ocean health. But that is a lot of based on specific scientific and societal tions such as phytoplankton distribution. observations to manage. To help im- requirements, driven mostly by climate plement, develop and coordinate the change and the need for weather fore- A decade later, participants of the observations, three separate panels casts. The BioEco Panel considers so- OceanObs'09 conference held in Venice, were formed: the Ocean Observations cietal needs according to international

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 31 conventions and/or multilateral agree- will also help to answer the overarching The second represents a much bigger ments relevant to marine life, as well as questions of: What is the current state challenge, and relates to capacity devel- the current state of ocean observations of life in the ocean? How is it changing? opment and technology transfer. So that and how this knowledge contributes What are the impacts of these changes? we can achieve sustained ocean obser- to addressing societal and scientific And, what is the potential for recovery? vations that meet internationally-agreed issues. This includes the status and standards, it’s important to endure ca- change of ecosystem components such Challenges in Ocean Observation pacity development and technology. as phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, ma- The BioEco Panel adopted a collabora- This requires investing in people and rine mammals, turtles and birds. It also tive international approach stressing the their institutions so that they can build includes changes in habitat extent and importance of best practices, new tech- infrastructure and long-term support health, as well as outlining other micro- nologies, strengthened data sharing and networks with better access to data, bial and benthic variables. interoperability, as well as enhancing ca- tools and technologies. While this can pacity building and technology transfer - be facilitated by international initiatives, The implementation of these global net- vital developments if we are to increase it needs support nationally and institu- works is coordinated through the Joint the availability and impact of scientific tionally if it is to be sustained. Technical Commission for Oceanogra- advice to decision makers. phy and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) Capacity development also needs to oc- Observations Coordination Group and To the policy community, the BioEco Pan- cur at all stages of the ocean observing through thirteen GOOS Regional Allianc- el has stressed the opportunities a more process, from identifying requirements es from all around the world. And addi- advanced observing system will have by and designing systems through to the tional GOOS projects help to fill gaps in increasing future management options transformation of data into products and the observing system and to extend its and improving reporting at all levels of information. This includes the use of capabilities through technological inno- government. The panel’s strategy has best practices at all levels of the pro- vation, focusing on sustainability. been to develop coordinated global net- cess, from instrument deployment to works around each biological EOV, help- data collection, data analysis, data mod- Over the next 10 years, and through ing to facilitate regional and global inte- elling and management, and in the final the coordinated efforts of these panels, gration of existing networks, and create reporting. GOOS aims to build a global biological new ones where needed. But there are and ecosystem observation network that two issues that are key for the success of The importance of capacity develop- provides more timely, consistent and in- these networks. ment is reflected within the UN Sustain- formed scientific advice on the status of able Development Goal 14. Known as (and threats to) critical marine resources The first is improving the communication Target 14a, it aims to increase scientific for national management, regional report- of results and increasing the network’s knowledge, develop research capacity ing, and global policy. The continous ob- contribution to decision making at local, and transfer marine technology. The UN servation of these elements will serve as national, and global scales. This will en- wishes to achieve this by ‘taking into the foundation for implementing manage- able more informed decisions taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceano- ment and policy that promotes a healthy account the needs of conservation and graphic Commission (IOC) Criteria and and sustainable ocean ecosystem. It economic development. Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries. The IOC Member States have approved a Capacity Devel- opment Strategy (2015-2021) with the following vision statement: “Through in- ternational cooperation, IOC assists its Member States to collectively achieve the IOC’s high-level objectives (HLOs), with particular attention to ensuring that all Member States have the capacity to meet them.”

Naked and biomimicking (“Robo-limpet”) temperature loggers attached to the rocks of the intertidal zone can measure substrate temperature at intervals of 10 seconds to 18 hours. Data There are six major outputs that this is captured with an app and can be shared immediately providing that there is mobile coverage strategy is expected to achieve: 1) De-

32 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 “Capacity development” has been rec- system cannot be supported alone by ognized as critical on multiple occa- just a few countries or organizations. A sions by the United Nations, the IOC of long history of ocean observations has UNESCO and the Large Marine Ecosys- taught us that a few governments alone tem Program of the Global Environmen- cannot support the entire global system tal Facility. Especially for empowering to the required level. We need all mari- societies in developing countries; for time and coastal nations within the IOC managers to transition into ecosys- to make their contribution, and collabo- tem-based-management practices; for ration across all stakeholders including scientists to better understand the ef- philanthropic foundations and industry fects of human pressures and climate will be critical to achieve success. change, and inform policy for actions to be taken; and for communicators to The Decade represents a unique op- interface between science, society and portunity for scientists, policy makers, politics. industry and society to work together to address common issues. The GOOS Member states of the UN have pro- as a community has been working on Monitoring macroalgae and associated biodi- versity in rocky shores through photo-quad- claimed the decade of 2021-2030 defining a strategy to strengthen its rats during a training workshop at CEBIMAR, as the ‘Decade of Ocean Science for partnerships and improve the societal Sao Sebastiao, Brazil. Training workshop or- Sustainable Development’ aiming “to impact of its products, better delivering ganized by the Marine Biodiversity Observa- gather ocean stakeholders worldwide to end users and maximizing resourc- tion Network (MBON) Pole to Pole and the behind a common framework that will es. It is also building for the future by GOOS Biology and Ecosystems Panel (Au- gust 2018). Photo credit: Patricia Miloslavich. ensure ocean science can fully support encouraging innovation of observing countries in the achievement of the technologies and software that will al- Sustainable Development Goal 14 on low for more automated measurements velopment of human resources; 2) Es- the ocean.” Needless to say, capacity and data analysis, including machine tablished or improved access to phys- development will be a key goal for the learning and artificial intelligence. But, ical infrastructure; 3) Strengthening of decade by aiming to form a new genera- while the GOOS community is prepared global, regional and sub-regional mech- tion of ocean scientists and technicians, for the challenge, it needs the political anisms; 4) Promotion of development establish new research networks and a will from countries and the support of of ocean research policies in support new generation of enhanced observa- ocean users to build an observing sys- of sustainable development objectives; tional systems. Some expected outputs tem that can meet their needs and as- 5) Increased visibility and awareness; will be “increased scientific knowledge pirations. and 6) Reinforced sustained (long-term) about the impacts of cumulative in- resource mobilization (see www.ioc-cd. teracting stressors such as warming, Further reading: org/). But the success of these goals acidification and habitat destruction; Bax, N. J., Appeltans, W., Brainard, R., Duffy, J. E., rely mostly on public information, contin- and achieving integrated observations Dunstan, P., Hanich, Q., et al. (2018). Linking uous professional development, facilitat- and data sharing including the use of Capacity Development to GOOS Monitoring Networks to Achieve Sustained Ocean ing access to infrastructure, information satellites, fixed and moving observing Observation. Frontiers in Marine Science 5. sharing, development of national marine platforms, all feeding into common data doi:10.3389/fmars.2018.00346. Lindstrom, E., Gunn, J., Fischer, A., McCurdy, A., and management procedures and policies, management and the Global Ocean Glover, L. K. (2012). A framework for ocean and financial support from member Observing System (GOOS).” observing. By the task team for an Integrated Framework for Sustained Ocean Observing. states. Such financial support is critical, UNESCO. as well as its need over a long period This is certainly good news for all Miloslavich, P., Bax, N. J., Simmons, S. E., Klein, of time. ocean stakeholders and for the world, E., Appeltans, W., Aburto-Oropeza, O., et al. (2018a). Essential ocean variables for global but the success of the Decade will only sustained observations of biodiversity and The Future of Ocean Observation be achieved if the UN member states, ecosystem changes. Global Change Biology 24, 2416–2433. doi:10.1111/gcb.14108. Scientific expertise will certainly have a philanthropic institutions and industry Miloslavich, P., Seeyave, S., Muller-Karger, F., Bax, N., major impact in advancing the global support these political decisions with Ali, E., Delgado, C., et al. (2018b). Challenges for global ocean observation: the need for observing system, but it is the political significant financial commitment. increased human capacity. Journal of Opera- will and economics which will determine tional Oceanography, 1–20. doi:10.1080/1755 its success. Knowledge without the re- The global ocean observing system, 876X.2018.1526463. UNESCO (2016). IOC Capacity Development Strategy sources, infrastructure, or technology to along with developing the capacity (2015-2021). Paris Available at: http://unesdoc. apply it will not be enough to improve and technology for its sustained im- unesco.org/images/0024/002440/244047m. pdf. sustainable use of the marine environ- plementation, requires and builds in- ment. tensive international collaboration. The

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 33 Mapping the Sea's Natural Defense Against Climate Change Location intelligence is helping scientists understand how to protect an important marine ally in combating global warming

Words by Dawn J. Wright, Esri Chief Scientist

34 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 he Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change al reef system in the world. The villages along its T (IPCC) recently released a report that presents coast, including its outlying small islands, depend a more dire picture of the immediate effects of cli- on the reef for their livelihood, as the region has mate change than previously believed. And while become a draw for tourists. They are also particu- leaders often first point to managing economies larly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and slowing the output of pollution, it is sometimes specifically flooding. ignored that the earth's ecosystems can self-cor- rect. With the proper data and insight, scientists In June 2016, Citizen Science GIS, a collabora- can be better equipped to foster natural buffers tive effort led by assistant professor Timothy Haw- against climate change that already exist in our thorne of the University of Central Florida's College own wilderness—even in our oceans. of Sciences Geographic Information Systems Clus- ter, along with the National Science Foundation, Massive tracts of tree canopy are touted as ab- the University of Belize, Georgia State University, sorbers of carbon dioxide, but they aren't the only and the Hopkins Village Council, initiated an under- natural defense against man-made pollution. The graduate research training program to map dispar- ocean's modest yet prolific flora plays an even ities in debris, flooding, and disaster management. greater role. Bottom-attached seagrasses occur They also created the first high-resolution, open in shallow coasts around the world. These unas- aerial imagery of vulnerable coastal and island suming marine plants store up to 100 times more environments. All this was done through the use carbon dioxide compared to tropical forests. De- of geographic information system (GIS) software. spite their importance, traveling to every shallow The project gave these communities in Belize lo- part of the ocean to check for their habitats is sim- cation intelligence which is accessible via an on- ply unfeasible. Seagrasses like eelgrass are also, line, interactive open data and mapping portal. Up ironically, under threat by factors related to the very until that point, residents had relied on anecdotal thing they may serve as a defense against—climate observations to manage these issues and never change. But what if a data-driven model of sea- had a data-driven way to make informed decisions grass health could be built to better protect it? regarding disaster management or conservation.

The challenge of facing global warming in the com- "Hopkins Village relies on the islands and the bar- ing years must be a multitiered approach—one that rier reef as a source of income from tourism, but includes reducing pollution, adapting to the effects there wasn't a lot of good data about the location of a changing climate, and using the Earth's own out there," said Hawthorne. "If you looked at some defense mechanisms to our benefit. To do that, we of the imagery that was previously available, once must first have data on how they function and how you got away from the mainland, there's a lot of we might be affecting them. As part of this task, an cloud cover, it was outdated, or was low resolu- organization called Citizen Science GIS, in concert tion. That's problematic for using this imagery as a with the Smithsonian Institution, has begun a proj- source for any kind of authoritative data." ect to map and analyze eelgrass in coastal waters all the way from San Diego up to Alaska. Citizen Science GIS set out to replace this with high-resolution imagery captured by affordable, A Clearer Picture consumer-level drones. One of the reasons the Understanding how the effects of climate change drones needed to be easily operable, as opposed are at play in ocean ecosystems is a relatively new to professional research equipment, is that mem- science, especially since the technologies that bers of the local community were vital partners of can help us better understand these relationships this team effort. University of Belize undergradu- themselves have evolved exponentially in only the ates, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and past few decades. The story of this project began other faculty members, as well as Belizean commu- in Belize, which is home to the second-largest cor- nity partners, came together for this focus on open

Mapping an island in Belize with a drone on the barrier reef. NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 35 Sampling Eelgrass – An ecology technician from one of the Smithsonian Institution’s partner organizations prepares to sample fish from one of the eel- grass beds at Calvert Island, British Columbia. Photograph by courtesy of Dr. Emmett Duffy.

and transparent data sharing, communi- prone area—since these plots were for a large-scale marine research and ty GIS and citizen science. cheaper. This led to the creation of the mapping endeavor. The project, which first map of every culvert in the commu- was funded by NSF, involved mapping The resultant project offered a clearer nity, detailing its quality and the buildup six eelgrass sites along the entire west picture of coastal and island vulnerabil- that was leading to additional flooding. coast of the US, Canada and Alaska, ities, boat docks and the damages they using drones to capture high-resolution sustained, the existence of solar panels "What we kept hearing when we start- imagery similar to what had been done and other alternative energy sources ed this work was that the community in in Belize. on the islands, and seawalls (cement Hopkins Village tends to be left behind and temporary ones made of recycled when resources are allocated or distrib- Seagrass meadows are one of the ma- materials like tires). Drone2Map for Arc- uted," said Hawthorne. "Now, they have jor coastal habitats globally supporting GIS was used to process the imagery data to support some of the structure fisheries, nurseries, and coastal protec- into online maps. The team members improvement initiatives they want to do, tion from erosion. The Smithsonian's digitized all of Hopkins and examined like road repairs or cleaning of culverts." MarineGEO program has previously co- roads, culverts and buildings. For struc- ordinated efforts looking at the influence tures, they looked at use (residential From Microscopic to Bird's-Eye View of nutrient pollution and simulated over- versus commercial) and proximity to A year ago, Dr. Emmett Duffy, director fishing on seagrass systems. Now, with flood-prone areas. The results indicated of the MarineGEO program at the Smith- the combination of drone imaging and that 211 out of 239 commercial struc- sonian Institution, saw the work that Cit- ecosystem study, science is moving to- tures lie outside flood-prone areas. Con- izen Science GIS had done with Belize, ward a complete, holistic understanding versely, 241 out of 273 of the residential particularly in high-resolution mapping of these habitats, including the diseases structures fall inside flood-prone areas. of reefs, and asked it to collaborate on a that pose a threat to seagrasses. Smithsonian-led grant proposal. Citizen The imagery and data showed that new Science GIS joined partners from three "The real excitement in my mind with residential structures where families other institutions in a collaborative pro- this new project is connecting what's tended to live were being built closer posal to the National Science Founda- going on in these seagrass systems, to the lagoon—a more vulnerable, flood- tion (NSF) that was ultimately approved from the molecule to the satellite level,"

36 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 said Duffy. "We have one of our scientif- drones, to understand what's happening ic partners doing molecular microbiome at the ecosystem scale of large areas. work, understanding how environmental The hope is that we come out of all of conditions are changing the microbial this fieldwork with a statistical model community on seagrass, which is very that can predict disease, take that else- important to whether disease breaks out where, test it, and refine it to use it in a or not. We then go all the way up from truly predictive way." there to the community ecology and what animals live there, as well as the And this is where GIS and the technol- changing climate, to mapping the extent ogy of artificial intelligence (AI) meet to of the eelgrass beds with the drones." aid us in making better decisions for the planet. A machine learning algorithm Warm water, increased nutrients, and has already been implemented by Esri invasive and changing species, as well to predict global seagrass occurrence as disease—all contribute to depletion of based on publicly available data. Global seagrass beds. Ultimately, understand- characteristics, such as ocean tempera- ing these factors from several different ture, salinity, and nutrients, came from a sites, with the high-level perspective that new data compilation and map called drones afford, allows scientists to better the Ecological Marine Units. Publicly A youth from Hopkins Village in Belize document- determine the environmental factors that available, detailed seagrass data from ing the pier as a valued place in the community. are leading to the health of seagrasses, the Marine Cadastre for the entire US why these factors exist, and where they coast acted as the training data for the "Much like our Belize work, for the US are present. algorithm. This model was 97.8 percent coastal eelgrass project, we're training accurate in predicting the occurrence of citizen scientists in the collection of "We will be drone mapping the sites, seagrass habitats. In the future, a similar data through drone imagery," said Tim and all the imagery will be shared online algorithm could be applied to the data Hawthorne. "Our team can't be on-site for free through our open data reposito- that Citizen Science GIS and the Smith- every day for an entire year, so our com- ry because we want to ensure that not sonian Institution's MarineGEO program munity partners will be able to fly the only our team can access it but others collected. This will allow them to not only drones and also upload the imagery for can learn from it as well," said Tim Haw- see the big picture of how seagrasses us to do the spatial analytics. You fly a thorne. "We'll offer training sessions for are being affected by climate change drone out, oftentimes it's going to open community partners to fly our DJI Phan- and other stressors but also learn exactly up communication with a stranger that tom four drones and any drones that how to prevent their depletion and where otherwise you might not have had. I see they have as well." to target solutions. But predicting the be- it as a way to start a conversation about havior of any natural phenomenon must science." Because seagrasses play an important always begin with observation. And the role in absorbing carbon dioxide and team at Citizen Science GIS has found Further reading: https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-en- protecting against coastal erosion, it is that drone technology creates unique terprise/analytics/the-science-of-where-sea- crucial to understand how to protect sea opportunities in engaging communities grasses-grow-arcgis-and-machine-learning/ grasses. And the next step after gather- to learn about their environments. http://www.esri.com/ecological-marine-units ing the data on chemistry, disease, tem- perature, geography, and other factors is to create a quantitative model that will help predict where and when we can ex- pect these elements to affect the grass- es and how to conserve them.

Predicting Marine Ecosystem Behavior Data is only as good as the use it is put to. "There's really been nothing done on this scope before in seagrass ecology," said Dr. Duffy, "both on a geographic scale and from the molecular scale of microbial interactions on the blades up through the food web and all the way Drone mapping in high-resolution, showing the main roads leading into Hopkins Village. Previously to using remote sensing in the form of available grainy and out of date satellite imagery of the same area is shown inset left.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 37 Protecting Changing Oceans Ecological Forecasts to Improve Fisheries Sustainability

By Heather Welch, Elliott Hazen, and Stephanie Brodie (NOAA / University of California Santa Cruz)

n 1872, Yellowstone National Park as whales and turtles are not restrict- Dynamic Management I was established to "provide against ed by mountain ranges or roads. The Dynamic management is an emergent the wanton destruction of the fish and ocean is more dynamic than land. And, strategy in which boundaries are flexible game found within said park", and so in response, marine species vary their in space and time. It allows scales of one of the world's first protected areas movements to a much greater extent to management to align with scales of envi- was created. The problem, which has remain within suitable habitats, or highly ronmental variability, animal movement, been featured in the news cycle many mobile marine animals can swim across and human uses of the ocean. Unlike times over the past decade, is that fish sociopolitical borders superimposed static protected areas, dynamic man- and game may roam beyond park bor- onto the marinescape. agement boundaries are updated regu- ders, and thereby out of park protection. larly in response to changing conditions. This problem can be exacerbated when So how can we manage the movements So, as the ocean’s habitats and mobile protected areas, which were originally of marine species? To address this species move in response to environ- designed for land, are applied in the ev- question, our team is developing dy- mental changes, the protective bound- er-changing oceanic environment. namic management strategies that are ary follows suit. This strategy reduces able to follow the species they are de- lapses in protection that can occur with Unlike their land-dwelling counterparts, signed to protect in real-time. static protected areas. And, it’s already the movements of marine animals such been proven to be effective. Dynamic

38 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 Blue Shark, photo credit: Steve Woods management has successfully mitigated ening the environmental and econom- movements of highly mobile marine the bycatch of quota managed southern ic sustainability of the fleet. Our team, species we have to be able to predict bluefin tuna in Australian waters since comprised of governmental, academic, where the animals are in real-time. 2006, and helped to avoid the unwant- and NGO researchers, received a NASA ed catch of endangered loggerhead grant to develop EcoCast: a dynamic Ecological Forecasting turtles near Hawaii since 2008. Today, management tool intended to increase Physical forecasting is the prediction of tools are being created that continue on fishery sustainability by helping fishers the changing environment (for example, from the success of past research, and avoid bycatch while still catching sword- daily weather forecasts and hurricane this is where our work comes in. fish. How does EcoCast achieve this? outlooks), and is a well-established field By producing a daily map that shows dating back to the turn of the last cen- In waters off the US west coast, sword- fishers the best and worst locations to tury. The field of ecological forecasting, fish is the target species of a drift gillnet fish based on the likelihood of encoun- however, which is the prediction of bio- fishery. Unfortunately, swordfish are not tering target catch and bycatch. logical responses to the changing en- the only thing the fishers find in their vironment, is still in its infancy. To de- nets. Protected species such as leather- But, the challenge of implementing a velop the ecological forecasts needed back turtles and California sea lions are dynamic management strategy like to create EcoCast, we studied the work- accidentally caught as bycatch, threat- EcoCast is that in order to manage the flows of established physical forecasts.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 39 During this process, we found that phys- can vary depending on the intended EcoCast was officially launched for use ical forecasting tools follow a consecu- audience, and can be broadcasted in the drift gillnet fishery in late 2017. tive four-stage framework consisting of through websites, RSS feeds, e-mail, or Through an iterative feedback process Acquisition, Prediction, Dissemination, text. For example, NOAA Weather Radio with fishers and managers, we’ve con- and Automation. disseminates comprehensive weather tinued to refine and adapt the tool to and emergency information, and the Na- meet end-user needs. We’re currently In the Acquisition stage, physical fore- tional Hurricane Center’s RSS feed pro- developing a survey for fishers to record casting begins with assessments of cur- vides up-to-date information on storm their on-the-water decision-making in re- rent environmental state. For example, system progression. gards to the EcoCast product. This will the National Weather Service uses radar help us continue to evolve the tool to to assess current atmospheric condi- Lastly, in the Automation stage, the increase utility. tions, and the National Hurricane Center Acquisition, Prediction, and Dissemina- uses airplane reconnaissance to mon- tion stages are knitted together into an Developing an Ecological Forecasting Best itor real-time hurricane characteristics. integrated workflow that repeats over Practices Handbook a regular timeframe. For example, the Creating operational tools is only one National Weather Service creates daily component of the forecasting process. forecast charts, and the National Hurri- To increase accuracy, utility, and trans- cane Center serves new hurricane out- parency, physical forecasts also require looks every six hours. additional steps, such as forecast vali- dation, inter-forecast comparisons, con- We developed the EcoCast product us- tingency plan development, and data ing the same four-stage workflow. archiving. While developing these eco- logical forecasts, we also endeavored to During the Acquisition stage, EcoCast follow these best practices. assesses current oceanographic state by accessing remote sensing data from Forecast validation (aka figure out satellite-borne sensors. These data in- how well the tool works and quantify clude ocean temperature, sea surface the uncertainty). Just because some- height, chlorophyll a, and frontal met- thing can be forecast, does not mean it rics. In the Prediction stage, a machine should. Inaccurate forecasts can waste learning approach for identifying drivers resources and endanger human lives. of species distributions (called boosted For example, 2012’s Hurricane Sandy regression trees) is applied to the newly was expected to track into the open At- acquired remote sensing data for each lantic Ocean, but instead made landfall species. This predicts where the target on the eastern seaboard, making it the species (swordfish) and bycatch species most destructive hurricane of the year. A four-stage framework for operationalizing dy- (leatherback turtle, sea lion, blue shark) To minimize forecast errors, the National namic management tools. Welch et al. (2018). Practical considerations for operationalizing are most likely to be based on current Hurricane Center evaluates discrepan- dynamic management tools. Journal of Applied oceanic state. These habitat suitability cies between modeled and observed Ecology. doi: 10.1111/1365 2664.13281 predictions are then combined into a fi- hurricane tracks in order to calculate the nal map product that shows the relative “cone of uncertainty” around predicted In the Prediction stage, physical fore- ratios of target catch potential to bycatch tracks. We are taking a similar approach casting tools calculate feature (e.g. risk, standardized between 1.0 (waters with EcoCast by validating hindcasted weather and hurricanes) attributes that are better to fish) and negative 1.0 predictions against historical catch and based on the newly acquired environ- (waters that are poorer to fish). The rela- bycatch events. This type of information mental data. For example, the National tive importance of finding target catch or helps us understand tool accuracy, and Weather Service calculates the loca- avoiding bycatch can be accommodat- communicating forecast uncertainty al- tions and severities of weather features, ed by weighting the importance of the lows end-users to make risk-adverse and the National Hurricane Center esti- individual species. To disseminate the decisions. mates the location and timing of hurri- final EcoCast product, we use a website cane tracks. with dynamic content that updates daily Inter-forecast comparison (aka and an interactive web application built compare and contrast). There are During the Dissemination stage, the in R Shiny. Lastly, during Automation, the many different computer weather mod- predictions are distributed to end-users code that underlies EcoCast is sched- els, such as the North American Model, such as the public, managers, and re- uled to run each morning once the envi- the Canadian Model, and the European source users. Dissemination pathways ronmental data are available. Model. To improve accuracy, weather

40 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 al Hurricane Center has technicians on It’s clear that static protected areas hand to address errors in real-time as may not be able to fully protect highly they occur, which requires a significant mobile marine animals such as turtles budget. EcoCast can have acquisition and other pelagic species. In order to errors when new satellite data are un- improve protection of these species, dy- available for a given day. We conducted namic management strategies can use a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the utility ecological forecasts to follow species’ of different options of handling missing predicted habitats in real-time. By bor- environmental data in order to develop rowing concepts from established phys- a contingency plan to govern EcoCast’s ical forecasts like weather and hurricane operational response. We tested three outlooks, we can increase the utility, different responses: using lagged ver- transparency, accuracy, and efficacy sions of variables (e.g. temperature from of ecological forecasting tools. These the previous day), dropping variables types of tools offer a novel solution to out entirely, or using lagged versions of plan for the increasing variability and the final product (e.g. the EcoCast pre- diction from the previous day). We found that most individual variables could be lagged by up to a week and still produce a more accurate product than dropping out any single variable entirely. This in- formation on error accumulation helped Green Turtle, photo credit: Steve Woods us build a set of rules that determine how EcoCast responds in real-time to forecasts from the different models are satellite data outages. compared, and sometimes combined to create a more accurate forecast than Data archiving (aka save every- would be possible with a single model thing). Data archiving is an important in isolation. We are applying this same component of the forecasting process concept to refine EcoCast by comparing that preserves historical information and the accuracy of EcoCast predictions to allows trends to be monitored. For exam- those made using the reserve design ple, both the weather and hurricane fore- software Marxan. Marxan is specifically casts are archived in public repositories. designed to handle spatial trade-offs in We took the same approach with Eco- resource prioritization, which is a similar Cast, and archive all forecasts within the problem that EcoCast is trying to solve public SWFSC/Environmental Research (i.e. maximizing bycatch avoidance Division ERDDAP. Through ERDDAP, while minimizing target catch reduction). interested users can download histori- By predicting both tools over the same cal EcoCast predictions in a variety of time-series, we can determine the rela- geospatial formats for analysis or explo- tive strengths and weaknesses of each ration. However, because long-running approach. forecasts can produce large volumes of information, their archiving can require Contingency plan development (aka significant storage space and funding. Tagged California Sea Lion, photo credit Michael make a backup plan). Tools that have To facilitate the archiving of ecological Milstein / NOAA Fisheries West Coast moving components such as the reg- forecasts, which are unlikely to have ular acquisition and dissemination of substantial funds at their disposal, cen- change in our dynamic world. Dynamic data have the potential for something to tralized servers may need to be estab- applications, which by design respond go awry. They might fail to acquire data lished. in real-time to changing environmental on current environmental state, models conditions, can maintain ecological rel- might produce implausible predictions, Any new scientific field goes through evance as climate change causes an- or final products might fail to dissemi- growing pains as misfires occur and imals to shift in their distributions and nate as expected. Forecasting tools dead-ends are found. A best practices creates new interactions with human need contingency plans to deal with handbook comprised of lessons learned activities. As our climate changes, our these sorts of errors, which can vary from established fields can help shorten approach to management must change among tools. For example, the Nation- and streamline this maturation phase. with it.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 41 The Conservation Planning Database A new global database to better guide marine conservation efforts

Words by Jorge G. Álvarez-Romero, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

42 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 ver the next few decades, Marine Pro- O tected Areas (MPAs) will become an increasingly common feature in oceans all over the world, growing in both num- ber and extent. Behind this increase are new and more ambitious international policy targets. What’s more, there is a mounting recognition that we are facing a global marine biodiversity crisis.

This increase in protection is welcome. Especially as it is clear how much our oceans and their inhabitants need and benefit from it. But there are also con- cerns that the push for quantity is under- mining quality, with new MPAs tending Marine planning science is growing fast, but there are major gaps in geographic coverage, not to concentrate in residual parts of the enough work done on areas most threatened, and little evidence of input from stakeholders. A new oceans where there is limited potential study found that five countries, led by Australia, are forging the way in global marine conservation planning. © Álvarez-Romero et al. 2018, Biological Conservation & ESRI World Imagery. for extractive uses and least need for protection. Although the spirit of the 10 percent Aichi target is to protect plac- To address these challenges, we formed and spatial extent of the effort; targeted es that would otherwise be threatened an international group of researchers conservation features; methods and out- (Convention on Biological Diversity), from Australia, Brazil, Canada, UK and puts; and the roles of stakeholders. there is a risk that countries are gaming US to develop a database that docu- international targets by adding still more ments SCP exercises. This effort result- We recently published a study in Biolog- residual MPAs. The challenge now is in ed in the creation of The Conservation ical Conservation (Álvarez-Romero et al. making the expansion of MPA systems Planning Database, which aims to help 2018) that introduces the database and count for biodiversity conservation and track the development, implementation, synthesizes global advances and trends other planning objectives. and impact of SCP applications, and in marine SCP planning. The Conserva- to learn from these efforts. The marine tion Planning Database is the most com- Systematic Conservation Planning proof-of-concept database includes in- prehensive and systematic compilation (SCP) takes into account both eco- formation on planning goals; location of marine SCP studies to date, thus pro- logical and socioeconomic aspects of conservation. It also provides a robust and transparent approach to spatial al- location of conservation priorities, and planners are increasingly using SCP to identify the best areas to conserve bio- diversity. Yet, there is no structured or reliable way of finding information on methods, trends, and progress. There is also varying quality and detail in doc- umentation of plans, limiting opportuni- ties to develop and apply best-practice principles. Over the past ten years, the number of studies added to the marine planning literature has increased ex- ponentially. This accelerating output of marine SCP methods and applications – which includes many in support of new MPAs – urges for systematic doc- The Conservation Planning Database, led by James Cook University, takes an important step in rem- umentation and critical analysis of SCP edying the lack of transparency and consistency in global conservation planning. The marine proof- of-concept database is the first centralized repository of key information on SCP exercises worldwide. applications. © The Conservation Planning Group 2018, Photo by Rebecca Weeks

Fiji Islands shoreline NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 43 viding a unique opportunity for scientists to access and analyze further aspects of marine planning. The study required documenting and analyzing more than 150 plans found in the peer-reviewed literature. Here is what we found:

Trends in Marine Conservation Planning Studies The review of marine planning studies revealed an exponential increase in ma- rine SCP over the past 15 years, with over 160 papers in the primary litera- ture and an increased rate of publica- tion over the last five years. It became apparent that more attention is being given to socioeconomic considerations, land-sea planning and, more recently, to ecological connectivity and climate change. Other topics gaining traction, Number of marine SCP studies led by organizations from different countries (in the lightest shade are but proceeding more slowly, included countries with no organizations recorded as leading any studies) and number of studies undertaken marine zoning, planning for pelagic eco- per marine ecoregion (MEOW). © Álvarez-Romero et al. 2018, Biological Conservation systems, and dynamic oceanographic processes. Geographic Coverage and Gaps in Marine Expertise and Knowledge Sharing in Planning Studies Marine Planning We were surprised to find little evidence There are important gaps in the geo- Understanding where planning has oc- of input from conservation practitioners graphic coverage of marine SCP stud- curred and where there is expertise in and stakeholders in these exercises. ies. Moreover, the geographies covered SCP is critical for advancing marine The lack of stakeholder participation were not well aligned with the locations conservation. The review revealed that could be related to our focus on the conservation scientists have identified research institutions or organizations peer-reviewed literature, but nonethe- to be at greatest risk. For instance, a from five countries have led the majority less is concerning. SCP studies devel- spatial exploration of the distribution of (~80 percent) of marine studies (Austra- oped without input from conservation studies shows that more than half (55 lia, US, Canada, UK, and South Africa). practitioners can limit the potential appli- percent) of the marine ecoregions of the This suggests there are organizations cation and validity of findings: limitations world (MEOW), have no planning exer- with strong resources and expertise include inadequate information, unreal- cises recorded in the primary literature. in SCP within these countries. These istic assumptions, and methods that are Of those ecoregions with studies, about countries also have extensive networks, difficult to replicate. 13 percent have only one exercise re- spreading over 80 countries, which sug- corded. gest the potential for capacity building through collaboration with international organizations.

Australian organizations have contribut- ed significantly to developing methods and tools that are widely used in SCP, which further explains the role of Austra- lia as an important “marine SCP hub”. For example, the Marxan conservation planning software, developed to sup- port the rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Marine Park, was used in 56 percent of all studies in our database (64 percent when including Marxan rel- atives). The GBR planning hotspot illus- Stakeholder participation in planning is critical. Community members in Fiji using outputs from a sys- trates the importance of some regions tematic conservation planning analysis to inform the design and establishment of a network of locally in supporting the development of best managed MPAs. Source: Weeks & Jupiter 2013. Photo © Rebecca Weeks

44 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 An ongoing collaboration with UNEP’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre can help bring the additional expertise and resources needed to consolidate the database, including securing host- ing and maintenance arrangements. The database can further improve by adding functionality to match and com- pare the configuration of initial designs with the implementation of conservation actions, such as protected areas regis- tered in the WDPA.

Further, collaboration with key interna- tional organizations (e.g. Convention on Biological Diversity, Society for Conser- vation Biology, IUCN’s World Commis- sion on Protected Areas) will be needed to reach the international community for Number of marine SCP studies led by organizations from different countries with links to ecoregions support, and to encourage organiza- covered by those studies and number of studies undertaken per marine ecoregion (MEOW). © Álva- tions and countries to include and up- rez-Romero et al. 2018, Biological Conservation date their plans. Consolidating the glob- al SCP database will be an important practices in marine planning across the can learn from our previous work and step in supporting the international com- board. shape our new work accordingly. And munity in achieving the CBD's Aichi bio- yet, there’s more work to be done! diversity targets and the revised targets Consolidating a Global Conservation Planning after 2020. Database It’s important to enrich the information The Conservation Planning Database is about stakeholder participation so that Implementing new protected areas is an important step towards a centralised it includes lessons learned about which a cornerstone conservation strategy to repository of information of planning stakeholders to involve in planning (and address key threats to global biodiversi- exercises. With this database in hand, when and how) to facilitate planning and ty. Ensuring the expansion of our global donors and non-government organiza- implementation in different contexts. system of protected areas is effective tions can identify regions and topical Likewise, documentation of planning in halting biodiversity loss requires new areas needing further work, and scien- outputs can be enriched by providing protected areas to be well designed, lo- tists, practitioners and policy-makers functionality to match and compare the cated in areas of most need, and effec- can learn from previous plans. It also configuration of initial designs with the tively implemented. To this end, the Con- gives the scientific community – includ- implementation of conservation actions, servation Planning Database will help us ing peer reviewers – a means of as- such as protected areas registered in learn from past and ongoing planning sessing trends in conservation planning the World Database of Protected Areas exercises and provide a tool for tracking methods and applications, so that we (WDPA). progress from the design through to im- plementation phases.

For more information, visit database. conservationplanning.org.

References Álvarez-Romero et al. 2018. Research advances and gaps in marine planning: towards a global database in systematic conservation planning. Biological Conservation 227, 369–382. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2018.06.027 Álvarez-Romero et al. 2017. Designing connected marine reserves in the face of global warming. Global Change Biology 24,e671-e691: https:// doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13989

Planning for marine connectivity and climate change is gaining traction. Álvarez-Romero et al. 2017, Photo © Octavio Aburto

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 45 ecoCURRENTS is a joint initiative between ECO and select universities. It provides science students publishing opportunities through articles ecoCURRENTS summarizing the latest marine science research. Join this free initiative today by emailing: [email protected]

The giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris) uses lobe-shaped structures to bounce plankton off their gill filters and into their mouth. Credit: S Kajiura/Florida Atlantic University

46 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 Manta Ray Mouthparts Offer Insights Into New Filtration Technologies

By Ellis Moloney, Institute of Marine Sciences, Manta birostris. The replica was then placed in a flow tank University of Portsmouth with small objects and a coloured dye to represent vari- esearchers at Oregon State University have recently dis- ous sized food particles. Computer modeling also helped R covered that manta rays are able to filter plankton from calculate the trajectory of the particles as they entered the seawater using a system never seen before in the natural or mouth. industrial world. The findings, published inScience Advanc- es, describe a unique mechanism which resists clogging This incredible design raises questions concerning the im- and therefore offers a new approach for designing filtration portance of manta rays to marine habitats and how they are systems on an industrial scale. distributed. This system might conceivably enable larger animals to exist in areas with less food because it’s energy Manta rays are large cartilaginous fish closely related to efficient, says Stuart Humphries, an evolutionary biophysi- sharks, skates and other rays. They feed by filtering small cist at the University of Lincoln in England who wasn’t part crustaceans and zooplankton through their open mouths of the study. before flushing the remaining water out through their gills. Unlike most conventional filtration systems used worldwide, Rays are increasingly being targeted by illegal fishing manta rays can resist clogging by using leaf-shaped lobes practices and a greater understanding of the physiolo- to bounce the food away. gy of filter feeding may be useful for predicting the hab- itat usage of manta rays and implementing appropriate “Manta rays appear to utilize a novel mechanism for filtering protective measures. Furthermore, the strategy could particles out of fluids," said study co-author Jim Strother, inform better filter designs at wastewater treatment assistant professor of integrative biology in the OSU Col- plants, which fail to catch microplastics. A filter inspired lege of Science. "Their filtering apparatus has a special by the manta ray’s mouth might trap tiny pollutants be- structure that causes plankton particles to ricochet off the fore they escape into our oceans and harm wildlife. filter and become concentrated in the mouth cavity, so the fish can then ingest them." Raj V. Divi, James A. Strother, E. W. Misty Paig-Tran. Manta rays feed using ricochet separation, a novel nonclogging filtration mechanism. (2018) Science Advances, 2, 4 (9): eaat9533 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aat9533 Strother and colleagues took CT scans of manta ray speci- mens from museum collections and then built a 3D printed replica of the filter found in the giant oceanic manta ray,

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 47 Share your science with audiences around the world.

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www.chattyscientist.com Six Steps to Creating the Perfect Elevator Pitch for Science Conferences Words by Kira Coley, The Chatty Scientist

ou're at a conference and just fin- avoid the waffle and wow science col- Y ished the first morning round of leagues. It's an opportunity for you to tell talks. On your way to snag one of those people how you, your research or your free scones and mini-jams, the leading organization is unique and make a last- expert in your field of study steps into ing impression. Keeping in mind that el- the elevator with you. It's your time to evator rides are usually pretty quick, the shine and make an impact. Here's when pitches should be around 30 seconds. you hit them with the Elevator Pitch. An They are brief, compelling and memora- elevator pitch isn't just something used ble. But, explaining years of research in by salespeople. It is also a statement a less than a minute can be tough and a scientist can use to quickly summarize little daunting. So, here is some advice important facts about their research, to get you started. Six Steps to Creating the Perfect Elevator Pitch

Science communication Write a draft pitch. Only use the key information needed to meet your STEP is all about finding ways STEP goal and get your points across. Write it in no more than five sentenc- 1 2 to effectively deliver your es. You can use the suggestions below for inspiration: message. So, think about what ▯ Introduce yourself. Start by explaining who you are and where you work. message you want your pitch to de- ▯ What do you do? Summarize your research and why it is important. liver. Is it to showcase what you've done? Highlight the importance of ▯ What makes you unique? This is important. Why is your research relevant? your work? Tell them about a new What gap does it fill? Who benefits? Why should he/she care? method you've created? Or, simply ▯ How do you do it? Are you using a method you have designed yourself or introduce yourself and your project? is a little unusual? Write down your goal, as this will ▯ Who do you work with? Are you collaborating with anyone they might find help you decide what to include in of interest? If they aren't well known, is there a special reason why you are step 2. working together?

Create a balance. You want to get your message across but only use Think about language. Per- STEP the information they want to know. We go to science conferences to STEP sonally, I believe that it's 3 4 discover the latest developments in our fields, network and because fine to use some science we are naturally curious about each other's research; what you are doing, who terms at conferences which are is involved and perhaps in search of opportunities for collaboration. well-known in your field. But be pre- Just be aware only a select few will want to know the finer details of how you pared to explain it simply if asked. chose your methods or set up your experiments. Be informative but high level, If you are attending a networking unless they ask for more information. event for people from different in- dustries, then swap the science terms for everyday language.

Have a go at writing your own pitch Timing is everything. Don't Finally, remember to say to use at your next conference or STEP unleash your pitch before STEP your pitch out loud and 5 6 networking event. The elevator pitch they even say hello. The get feedback. It may read could lead to new collaborations, pitch is designed to help you clearly great on paper, but it doesn't funding opportunities or, at the very explain your work without the waf- mean it will sound natural during least, the start of an interesting fle, but only use it if it fits into the a conversation. Avoid the infomer- conversation over a free scone. conversation without being forced. cial trap! Head over to www.chattyscientist. com for more resources.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 49 competition, the “Grand Challenge,” where they will test their Finalists Named In $10 technologies in warm water conditions at Lake Jesup, near Orlando, Florida. The Florida Department of Environmental Million Race Against Protection is contributing $1 million towards the final phase “The four finalists will engage in 14 months of intensive field testing under moderate and warm weather conditions,” Toxic Algae Eikenberg said. “These final four teams will need to prove their technologies’ ability to work in both freezing and warm temperatures. This will be their opportunity to showcase the The George Barley Water Prize is our “best hope” to global applicability of their solutions.” solve algae crisis threatening waterways worldwide. Modeled after the incentive prizes that encouraged Charles After more than two years of testing their technologies in Lindbergh to make the first nonstop trans-Atlantic flight and laboratories and in the field, the four finalists in The George that led to the invention of fire extinguishers and commercial Barley Water Prize – a $10 million incentive award to find a hydraulic turbines, The George Barley Water Prize is a $10 new technology capable of removing phosphorus from pol- million award to the team that can develop a safe, effective luted fresh body waters – were announced last month at a and affordable method to remove phosphorus from water- formal ceremony in Toronto. The four finalists each received ways on a large scale. The Prize is named after the late $125,000 to support their continuing research and develop- George Barley, one of the two founders of The Everglades ment. Foundation, Eikenberg noted.

Phosphorus is widely used in chemical fertilizers, and while "It’s clear that groundbreaking innovation is needed to solve essential for plant growth and human health, excess amounts for harmful algae blooms caused by excess phosphorus,” in waterways nurtures the growth of algae that is killing fish said Jim King, President of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foun- and spoiling water quality worldwide. According to the World dation. “Stage 3 marked a turning point in the Barley Prize Resources Institute, more than 15,000 freshwater bodies in competition, bringing innovations into the real world for test- the United States alone are affected by phosphorus pollution. ing. While our company removed phosphorus from routine lawn products a number of years ago, The Scotts Miracle-Gro The George Barley Water Prize Finalists who will advance to Foundation continues to stand behind this race for a solution phase 4 are: to phosphorus pollution as it enters its final stage--a chance ▯ Clean Water Machine – University of Idaho – Moscow, to solve this global problem, once and for all." Idaho Runoff from man’s long-standing use of phosphorus-based ▯ Wetsus NAFRAD – Leeuwarden, the Netherlands fertilizers is so extensive, scientists believe, that even if its ▯ Green Water Solution, Inc. – Wellington, Florida use were to be eliminated altogether, there is so much of the mineral already stored in water and soil that it would continue ▯ US Geological Survey - Leetown Science Center – Kear- to be a serious pollutant, creating algae blooms for decades, neysville, West Virginia if not centuries, to come. “These finalists represent our best hope for solving the al- gae crisis that is choking waterways worldwide,” said Eric “Using today’s technologies, it would cost upward of $3 tril- Eikenberg, CEO of The Everglades Foundation, which is host- lion to reduce the current worldwide flow of phosphorus by ing the competition with presenting sponsor The Scotts Mira- just 10 percent,” explained Loren Parra, Director of the Barley cle-Gro Foundation. Prize. “Living and working here in Florida, we could certainly benefit from a solution and we are excited, hopeful and anx- The George Barley Water Prize was launched in 2016, follow- ious to see what comes from the Grand Challenge.” ing a state of emergency in Florida that lasted for 242 days as a result of toxic algae blooms that devastated the state’s The George Barley Water Prize is hosted by The Everglades waterways. The competition attracted 104 international com- Foundation in association with the Scott’s Miracle-Gro Foun- petitors, which were then narrowed down to nine competitors dation as presenting sponsor, the National Fish and Wildlife who tested their technologies under cold weather conditions Foundation, the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Chicago in Toronto for a 90-day stretch in early 2018. The four re- Community Trust, the Knight Foundation, The Field Museum, maining teams will now advance to the final phase of the and Xylem, Inc.

50 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 TCarta Delivers Satellite-Derived Mangrove Health Assessment to Abu Dhabi TCarta, a global provider of geospatial products and services, has been commissioned by Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) to carry out a landmark mangrove health assessment covering the entire Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The assessment contains mangrove condition information derived from high-resolution multispectral satellite imagery. “The satellite-derived vegetation analysis process we devel- entiate mangroves from other vegetation across the Emirate. oped for this project can be applied to large-area crop and A total of 155 km2 of mangroves were identified and mapped. forestry health mapping anywhere in the world,” said Chris “We then derived several vegetation indices from the spectral Burnett, TCarta Project Manager. bands to rate the health of the mangrove forests, divided into small grids,” said Burnett. For EAD, the TCarta report delivered some promising results. With 80 percent of the Emirate’s mangrove forests found to Next, TCarta analysts obtained coarse-resolution Landsat im- be healthy, this was encouraging news. The innovative project agery from 1987, 2001 and 2017 to chart mangrove cover- also enabled EAD to designate conservation areas for imme- age over three decades. The combination of WorldView and diate protection. The data helped EAD to assess the relative Landsat data analysis clearly showed where mangrove loss success of existing schemes with the view to applying the had occurred over time. From this, TCarta generated the Dis- lessons learned into practice for future endeavors. turbance Index correlating health to external factors, such as urban development. “As part of the assessment, we created a Disturbance Index showing precisely where the most mangrove stress is occur- “Urban development near Abu Dhabi City appears to pose ring,” said Burnett. “EAD will use this to determine – and po- the primary threat to the Emirate’s mangrove forests,” said tentially mitigate – the external factors causing the mangrove Burnett. “EAD, which is a government agency tasked with pro- conditions to decline.” tecting the local environment, will use this report for remedia- tion efforts, including the selection of more favorable areas to For the assessment, TCarta obtained high-resolution multi- plant new mangroves to balance those that have already been spectral imagery acquired by the DigitalGlobe WorldView-2 lost.” Based on the success of the Abu Dhabi project and and -3 satellites during the months of December through accuracy of its results, TCarta is now offering the satellite-de- March. Computer algorithms were applied to the Coastal Blue, rived vegetation mapping and health assessment technique Visible Green, Visible Red and Near Infrared bands to differ- as a commercial service available worldwide.

CSA Welcomes New Underwater Marine-i Backs Innovative Research Sonardyne Acquires Technology Acoustic Project Scientist Approach for Coastal Wildlife Specialist Chelsea CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA), a ma- Marine-i, the EU funded program set up Subsea technology developer Sonar- rine environmental consulting firm that to boost marine innovation in Corn- dyne International Ltd. has acquired specializes in multidisciplinary projects wall, UK has made a grant award to maritime and marine science technol- concerning potential impacts of activi- The Rock Pool Project. This organiza- ogy specialist Chelsea Technologies ties in coastal and marine ecosystems, tion is led by marine ecology specialists Group Ltd. The acquisition is part of a is happy to announce that Kayla Harti- and has a mission to raise awareness of long-term growth strategy to diversify gan has joined the team at CSA’s head- the wide variety of species that inhabit into markets where it sees an opportu- quarters in Stuart, Florida, as an under- rock pools and their importance to the nity to build on its core technology base water acoustic project scientist. In this marine ecosystem. The funding from and expertise in underwater acoustic role, she will use her experience gained Marine-i has been used to carry out ini- and optical communications, navigation while studying for her Master’s Degree tial development work for an app which and autonomous monitoring systems. in Coastal Environmental Management would be used by students and by the Chelsea has a broad base in environ- from Duke University in North Carolina general public to gather valuable data mental sensing technology in fresh and and her expertise as a soundscape on rock pool wildlife. waste water, oceanography and a wide ecologist to assist with CSA’s projects range of industrial applications. that address underwater sound.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 51 World-Leading Center to Train Next Generation of Global Change Scientists Multimillion-pound center between Newcastle University and Northumbria University will train scientists to trans- form our understanding of planet Earth. The ONE Planet Doctoral Training Part- a host of other engineering, environ- Ulrich Salzmann, professor of palae- nership will draw on the research ex- mental and charitable organizations. oecology at Northumbria University, pertise and specialist facilities of both said: “Our vision is to provide a training universities in Newcastle upon Tyne Hayley Fowler, professor of climate environment for independent research (UK) to provide a world-leading training change impacts at Newcastle Univer- scientists and future leaders that de- environment tackling grand challenges sity, will lead the program and said, velops innovative new ways to analyze in climate and environmental sciences. "To really understand how our planet is and design the sustainable responses changing we need to work across sub- needed to address intensifying global Funding for ONE Planet was an- ject disciplines and explore the con- change. nounced on October 10 by the Natural nections between human activity and Environment Research Council (NERC) the Earth's natural systems. The period “I am delighted to see that the world and comes in the same week that the where humanity is now the key agent leading research in Geography and En- Intergovernmental Panel for Climate in planetary-scale change is termed vironmental Sciences at Northumbria Change (IPCC) declared that limiting ‘The Anthropocene’. Our researchers University has been acknowledged and global warming to 1.5°C requires rap- will learn in an interdisciplinary environ- I am looking forward to work together id, far reaching and unprecedented ment which will give them the skillset with Newcastle University on training changes in all aspects of society. required to analyze and design the re- the next generation of independent re- sponses needed to address intensify- search scientists and future leaders as The universities’ world leading research ing global change." part of our new One Planet NERC Doc- and expertise in climate change, earth toral Training Partnership." systems and the environment were key Professor Fowler, who leads part of to the success of the funding applica- the World Climate Research Program The training program will use special- tion. and is an expert in the impacts of cli- ist research facilities at both universi- mate change on water systems, added: ties including Newcastle University’s Researchers joining the program will "We are going to be working across Blyth Marine Station and research study a diverse range of topics in- science, engineering, statistics, agri- vessel, Urban Observatory, University cluding earthquakes and volcanoes, culture, history, planning and many oth- Farms, Newcastle Helix, and Northum- pollution, weather extremes, sea level er disciplines. Both universities in the bria University’s Environmental Scienc- change, and frozen environments such city have established world leading re- es Laboratories. There is scope too for as the ice caps and glaciers. search in many different aspects of The researchers to influence governmental Anthropocene and by working togeth- policy and there will also be an annual The partnership includes more than 40 er we will produce researchers and event that will share progress, results local and national business, govern- leaders who can design the responses and debate with the public. ment and industry partners including we need to the ways in which our plan- the Environment Agency, the National et is changing." A list of all successful projects can Trust, Northumbrian Water Group, and be found on the NERC website.

52 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 Looking deeper and seeing more.

Morgan & Eklund, Inc. specializes in collecting data in the coastal zone providing bathymetric surveying services for project monitoring, beach restoration, dredging and offshore borrow area investigations.

For more information, visit www.morganeklund.com or call (772) 388-5364 Seabed 2030 Project: First Regional Mapping Meeting for Arctic, Antarctic & North Pacific The first regional mapping meeting for The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project has been held in Stockholm, covering the Arctic, Antarctic and North Pacific regions.

The successful meeting held last month, brought together vate sector organizations that have acquired new bathymetric leading ocean mapping experts, oceanographers, scientists data since the last GEBCO grid was published in 2014; the and private companies to discuss various technical elements most recent update to the global map of the seafloor. of the Project including data acquisition, visualization, expe- dition coordination and the role of future technologies. With This data will be donated to The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO the goal of mapping the entirety of the world’s ocean floor by Seabed 2030 Project, and will represent a significant increase 2030, The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project in the area of the world’s ocean floor that has been mapped divides responsibility for different areas of the ocean between using high-resolution direct measurement techniques. In total, four Regional Data and Coordination Centers (RDACC). The the meeting identified numerous sources of new bathymetric meeting heard presentations from individuals representing a data. The combined area of these contributions in terms of variety of organizations including research institutions and pri- square kilometers will be announced later this year. CSA Completes Nassau Sound Survey to Support Amelia Island Beach Restoration CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA), a leading global marine environmental science consulting firm, announced the completion of a survey to collect data for hydrodynamic model calibration and verification in Nassau Sound, located north of Jacksonville, Florida.

The CSA team measured inshore and sand borrow area development and per- the A1A Bridge). The transects were offshore water level, tides, current and mitting analyses for the South Amelia conducted using a vessel-mounted waves to calibrate and validate a hy- Island Shore Stabilization Project. The ADCP equipped with bottom tracking drodynamic model. The team installed project is an ongoing engineered beach and integrated with the vessel’s naviga- water level recorders and a wave-en- nourishment project managed by the tion and positioning system,” Mr. Shaw abled Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler South Amelia Island Shore Stabilization continued. (ADCP) and conducted an estuarine Association in Nassau County, Florida, water discharge survey to gather the and the Florida Park Service. To ensure survey integrity, M&E estab- needed data. lished project horizontal and vertical “CSA’s estuarine water discharge sur- control and took vertical measurements Morgan & Eklund, Inc. (M&E), CSA’s sis- veys collected tidal current data as of the instruments twice during the de- ter company, a licensed survey compa- ADCP profiles of current velocity and ployment period to identify any poten- ny specializing in hydrographic surveys, direction, said Tim Shaw, CSA’s Project tial vertical shifts of the instrumentation. teamed with CSA on this project. The Operations Manager. “We conducted “The data collection went very well, es- project was contracted and managed ebb and flood tide surveys in a series pecially the ADCP work… I think that’s by Olsen Associates, Inc. (Olsen), an in- of transects crossing the South Amelia the first time the tidal prism has been dustry leader in coastal engineering and River, the Nassau River, the Intracoastal calculated like that at this location. The experts in beach restoration projects. Waterway, and the Nassau Sound throat. model calibration for prism came out Tidal prism transects were run continu- really tight as well,” said Dr. Albert E. The survey and the subsequent hydro- ously over a full tidal cycle across the Browder, the Olsen Project Manager. dynamic modeling by Olsen supported mouth of Nassau Sound (parallel with

54 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 Editorial Calendar 2019

Editorial Focus Products & Services Focus Deadlines Show Distribution  Pending  Digital

January/Febuary Deep Sea Laboratory Equipment and Clothing Editorial: Oceanology International February 25-27 December 14 Americas Benthic Sampling Tools and Ads: World Ocean Summit March 5-7  Services January 03 Benthic Ecology Meeting April 3-6  March/April: Polar Science Polar Field Equipment and Clothing Editorial: Polar Marine Science March 17-22  February 06 Monaco Ocean Week April 8-14   Expedition Consultation and Ads: Logistics February 14 Ocean Business April 9-11 EARTHXOcean April 26-28  Artic Circle October 11-13  May/June: Marine Ecosystems Diving Equipment Editorial: Dredging Summit & Expo June 4-7  April 24 IMBeR Open Science June 17-21  Underwater Cameras and Lights Ads: May 02 Clean Pacific June 18-20   Blue Planet Symposium TBD July/August: Fisheries and Fisheries and Aquaculture Editorial: AquaNor August 20-23  Aquaculture Equipment and Services June 25 Ocean Obs 19 September 16-20   Ads: Environmental Impact Assessment July 03 Coastal Management September 24-26  Services American Fisheries Society Sept 29 - Oct 3  & The Wildlife Society Florida Association of TBD Environmental Professionals September/October: Coastal and Estuaries Oil Spill Cleanup Remediation Editorial: OCEANS’19 October 28-31  Product and Services August 28 Coastal & Estuarine November 3-7  Ads: Research Federation Processing and Analysis Software September 05 Restore Americas Estuaries December 9-12   Clean Gulf TBD November/December: Ocean Exploration Pelagic Sampling Tools Editorial: Marine Mammal Conference December 9-12  October 30 PAM/MMO Tools and Services Ads: November 07

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 55 Coral Sea Foundation Seek Partners for Unique Vessel Development Program The Coral Sea Foundation are actively seeking partners to share in a unique vessel development program, leading to active operations of their 140ft multihull expedition yacht. Designed by One2Three naval architects to run on wind pow- owners in Melanesia to develop marine reserves that enhance er, sunshine, and coconut biofuel, this innovative vessel will fisheries and ecotourism resources, while improving the basic facilitate missions through the Coral Sea region. It will also quality of life of people in their partner villages. make an important statement about the values of the Coral Sea Foundation and its partners, and their commitment to Dr Andy Lewis, CEO and founder of Coral Sea Foundation, sustainable management of coral reefs and the people they said “This vessel will provide a compelling platform for marine support. science, community support and Eco-expedition cruising. It represents a fantastic opportunity for a partner to be involved The Coral Sea Foundation is a multi-skilled team of ecotour- with a team and an organization that is taking pragmatic steps ism guides, marine scientists, business people, professional to manage and conserve some of the best coral reefs on the mariners, and environmental engineers committed to raising planet.” awareness of the ecological and social value the Coral Sea and Eastern Coral Triangle and being proactive in its sustain- Interested? Please see their Vessel Development able management. Combining an ethos of science, ecotour- Program briefing paper for more information at www. ism, and sustainability, the Foundation works with traditional coralseafoundation.net

ECO Magazine is the marine science SUBSCRIBE ONLINE publication written by ocean experts ecomagazine.com/subscribe and explorers. digital & print Dive into thought-provoking stories on marine research and industry news.

56 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 Upcoming Conferences

CommOCEAN December 4-5, 2018 “ www.commocean.org Southampton, UK

National Summit on Coastal and Estuarine December 8-13, 2018 Restoration and Management Long Beach, California “ www.estuaries.org/2018-summit-general-info

Oceanography & Marine Biology December 3-4, 2018 “ marinebiology-oceanography.euroscicon.com/ Rome, Italy

Oceanology International Americas February 25-27, 2019 “ www.oceanologyinternationalamericas.com/ San Diego, CA

World Ocean Summit March 5-7, 2019 “ www.woi.economist.com/world-ocean-summit/ Abu Dhabi, UAE

Polar Marine Science March 17-22, 2019 “ www.grc.org/polar-marine-science-conference/2019/ Lucca, Italy

Eastern Canadian Fisheries Expo January 25-26, 2019 “ www.ecfx.ca/ Nova Scotia, Canada

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science February 4-7, 2019 “ www.cvent.com/events/2019-gulf-of-mexico-oil-spill-and- New Orleans, Louisiana ecosystem-science-conference/event-summary-c987a69c 633f42e09b8d17d70192fee8.aspx?pmd=1

FSBPA Beach Preservation Technology February 6-8, 2019 “ www.fsbpa.com/tech-conference.html St. Augustine, Florida

ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting February 23-March 2, 2019 “ aslo.org/page/aslo-2019-aquatic-sciences-meeting San Juan, Puerto Rico

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 57 Opportunities

Marine Technician / Oceanographer Florida Coral Reef Fisheries Mapping Postdoctoral Researcher, University of (US) GIS GLOBE Intern (US) Delaware (US)

Tetra Tech, Inc., is seeking a part-time The Nature Conservancy’s GLOBE sum- A postdoctoral researcher position is Marine Technician / Oceanographer mer internship program hires under- available at the School of Marine Sci- for the Bothell, WA location. Marine graduate students, graduate students, ence and Policy, University of Delaware. Services Division specializes in high or recent college graduates to fill paid The postdoctoral researcher will under- resolution hydrographic and geophys- positions during a 10-week summer in- take work on existing projects related to ical surveys for inland, nearshore and ternship. These positions are available air-sea interactions and fluid dynamics offshore underwater investigations, in- throughout the US and provide a unique with opportunities to develop projects cluding detailed dam and underwater opportunity to bridge the gap between in new directions. Applicants should infrastructure assessments, site sur- academics and real-world conservation have experience with laboratory and/ veys, engineering, archaeological and work. The program recruits individuals or field experimental methods as well benthic habitat investigations, and reme- from a variety of backgrounds and expe- as strong quantitative and writing skills. diation efforts. Survey equipment used riences who are interested in contribut- Applicants must have a PhD in Physical include single beam, multibeam and ing to their conservation goals in various Oceanography, Mechanical or Civil En- phase bathymetry hydrographic survey fields. The Florida Coral Reef Fisheries gineering, or a closely related discipline. systems, sidescan sonar and sub-bot- Mapping GIS GLOBE Intern will play an The position is available for a year, with tom profilers. Oceanographic and bio- integral role in developing spatially-ex- renewal for one-year contingent upon logical assessment equipment included plicit data that allow managers and fish- performance and funding. The School bottom and mooring-mounted ADCPs, ing stakeholders to understand how and of Marine Science and Policy at UD MetOcean buoy systems, underwater where fishing may be affecting reef-as- hosts a lively community of ocean sci- digital video, sediment grab samplers sociated fish stocks and the distribution ence researchers at both the Newark and corers. Visit www.tetratech.taleo. of current fish stocks. For more informa- and Lewes campuses. The postdoctoral net for more information. tion, visit www.careers.nature.org researcher will have the opportunity to interact with scientists in both places. Science and Strategy Intern (US) Ocean Color/Remote Sensing - Research Associate I, University of Assistant Professor of Ocean, Earth Miami (US) Oceana seeks intern(s) with quantitative and Atmospheric Sciences (US) experience and a passion for conserva- The University of Miami, Rosenstiel tion. The Department of Ocean, Earth and School of Marine and Atmospheric Sci- Atmospheric Sciences at Old Domin- ence (RSMAS) is seeking a Research The intern will work with the Science & ion University seeks candidates for a Associate in coastal resilience and cor- Strategy team at Oceana’s headquar- tenure-track Assistant Professor posi- al reef restoration. Duties will include, ters to help answer important questions tion with research interests in remote but are not limited to: 1) Coordinating for Oceana and support 50+ staff work- sensing and ocean color, who use field and leading coral restoration activities; ing on science and policy in their eight observations and numerical models to 2) Conducting coral reef and reef-fish global offices. Internships are paid, full- explore the impacts of climate change monitoring surveys; 3) Maintaining field time in the Washington, DC office for a on coastal ocean. and lab equipment; 4) Securing scien- minimum of three months. Applications tific permits; 6) Completing quarterly are accepted on a rolling basis and are The successful candidate will be ex- and annual reports; 7) Managing the reviewed periodically. These internships pected to develop and maintain an inde- project’s database; 8) present research do not always align with the academic pendent and externally funded research findings at scientific meetings and give calendar. Be aware that your cover let- program, contribute to teaching in the classroom lectures, 9) Participating in ter is viewed as a writing sample and department at the graduate and under- the lab’s education and outreach activ- please highlight why your experience is graduate level, and mentor graduate ities through the Rescue A Reef Citizen a good fit for this application. Also in- students. Visit www.jobs.odu.edu/post- Science Program; and 10) Supervise clude the dates you are available. Visit ings/8922 for more information. undergraduate and graduate students. www.oceana.org for more information.

58 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 British Antarctic Survey PhD Opportunities 2019 Ecological Modeler (UK)

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is pleased to announce that The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking for an Ecosystem opportunities with their five NERC Doctoral Training Projects Modeler to join the Ecosystems team. This role will involve (DTPs) are now live. The five projects are ARIES, C-CLEAR, modelling the distribution and behavior of key polar marine GW4+, Iapetus and INSPIRE. organisms in response to environmental changes. BAS has a broad range of projects with their DTP and Centers They are looking for someone with a PhD in Marine Ecology for Doctoral Training (CDT) partners every year. Each DTP or an equivalent discipline. You will need to have experience and CDT has a separate application process, which is usu- in ecosystem modelling, and a familiarity with evolutionary ally through the university at which the project is linked. For behavior and bioenvelope climate modelling would also be GW4+ and Iapetus projects, you should apply directly to the desirable. lead supervisor. In all cases, you are advised to check the This job will principally entail the modelling of the distribu- application process carefully to ensure you meet the criteria tion and behavior of key polar marine organisms in response and deadlines. to environmental change. The post-holder will be part of two Eligibility: NERC studentships are bound by the Research separate but complimentary projects, DIAPOD and CHASE, Councils UK Grant Terms and Conditions including residen- and will deliver different model products to each in collabora- cy and minimum qualifications. Doctoral Training in Envi- tion with the respective research teams. ronmental Research in the UK provides a useful summary Deadline: December 2, 2018. For more information about this of these. For more information about the PhD Opportunities post, visit www.bas.ac.uk available under each project, visit www.bas.ac.uk/science/ science-and-students/nerc-doctoral-training-partnerships/

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 eco 59 Environmental Services Directory

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    DHI Water & Environment, Inc. Marine Ventures International Morgan & Eklund, Inc.  141 Union Blvd. Suite 250  8502 SW Kansas Ave  4909 US Highway 1, Lakewood, CO 80228 USA Stuart, Florida USA Vero Beach, FL 32967  +1 303 937-4488  772-419-9627  +1 772-388-5364  www.dhigroup.com  marineventures.com  morganeklund.com  [email protected]  [email protected] DHI Water & Environment, Inc. is a research and consultancy firm specializing in all Marine Ventures International, Inc. (MVI) Founded in 1985, Morgan & Eklund, Inc. aspects of water environments via their provides high quality, marine environmental (M&E) is a Florida-based land and hydro- dedicated consultancy services, numerical and technical experts to conduct coastal and graphic survey firm specializing in boundary, models (MIKE Powered by DHI), and training offshore field operations worldwide. topographic, GPS and hydrographic survey- programs. DHI’s Environment and Ecology ing. Proficient in leading-edge mapping tech- We leverage our wealth of talent and Department (EED) provides a comprehensive nology, M&E has been providing services to resources to bring you a customized team array of innovative science-based sustainable the public and private sectors across Florida of independent contractors, subject matter solutions throughout the development cycle, for more than 30 years and has offices in -Wa experts and specialized equipment to get the focusing particularly on marine and coast- basso, Deerfield Beach and Miami. M&E is a job done. al development, resource exploration and group of extremely talented professionals who production, water and wastewater manage- Our professionals work in a variety of sectors are committed to providing a professional ment, as well as restoration and conservation from submarine cable projects and engineer- product in a timely fashion. Our staff includes initiatives. ing services to protected species observation four registered land surveyors, three survey and environmental consulting. crews and two hydrographic survey crews.

60 eco NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018         Ocean Optics Ocean Caraibes Ohmsett  8060 Bryan Dairy Rd,  +1 767-235-5962  PO Box 473 Largo, FL 33777, USA  www.oceancaraibes.com Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716  +1 727-733-2447  [email protected]  732-866-7183  www.oceanoptics.com  www.ohmsett.com Environmental Engineers | Coastal  [email protected]  John Delia, Program Manager Restoration | Hydrographic Surveys | Beach  [email protected] Ocean Optics combines innovative products Renourishment | Permitting | Compliance | and systems, inte gration development capa- Habitat Restoration | EIA’s Ohmsett is an outdoor saltwater wave/tow bilities and applications knowledge to help We have over 40 years’ experience in working tank facility where full-scale oil spill response people solve problems using spectroscopy, in 62 countries. Our clients are a mixture equipment testing, R&D, and training are imaging and sensing technologies. We offer a of private clients, 5 star resorts, bi-lateraled conducted with oil in a controlled marine full spectrum of optical sensing instruments, and multi-lateral donors WB ADB USAID etc. environment. Providing independent and ob- methods and expertise to help customers Enhancement and restoration of coral reefs, jective performance testing that produces the control harmful emissions, protect water qual- mangroves, river and beach ecosystem and most accurate and reliable results, Ohmsett ity and preserve coastline ecosystems. Our ecosystem services related to aesthetics, rec- represent an intermediate step between small devices can be embedded into other devices reation & tourism, fishery, coastal protection scale bench testing and open water testing. to monitor environmental conditions in situ including beach recovery. The tank measures 203 meters long by 20 with remote data access points. “Unlock the meters wide by 2.4 meters deep and filled Unknown” with Ocean Optics. with 10 million liters of saltwater.

          Seiche TDI-Brooks International, Inc. Wayfarer Environmental  Bradworthy Industrial Estate,  14391 South Dowling Road Technology, LLC Bradworthy, Holsworthy, Devon College Station, Texas 77845  PO Box 11937 EX22 7SF United Kingdom  713-208-1734 New Iberia, LA 70563  +44 (0) 1409 404050  www.tdi-bi.com  225-916-6382  www.seiche.com  Melissa Wood  wayfarertech.com  [email protected]  [email protected]  Mike Turley, [email protected] Wayfarer Environmental Technologies (WET), Seiche provides environmental monitoring, TDI Brooks and our laboratory affiliate B&B Laboratories, strive to be the preferred analyt- founded in 2005, implements successful measurement and mitigation solutions for the shoreline protection and remediation projects offshore energy, science and civil engineering ical service provider in the markets we serve. Throughout our 20 year history we have in cooperation with state municipal and con- sectors. Seiche designs and manufactures servancy groups. Our OysterBreak™ shoreline established a client base built on our com- underwater measurement/acoustic systems protection structures provide long-term, mitment to data quality, timely performance and advanced visual detection technology. effective wave attenuation, shoreline erosion Seiche also provides end-to-end service solu- and date submissions as well as competitive mitigation, and sediment accretion. Highly tions including provision of: MMO, MFO and pricing. Our laboratories provide high-quality configurable and proven stable over time, our PSO, PAM operators/equipment, FLOs, en- analytical services and scientific interpreta- artificial oyster reef OysterBreak™ structures vironmental scientists/reps, marine mammal tion with a focus on petroleum geochemistry, are locally manufactured, easily engineered, risk and impact assessments, noise modelling surface geochemical exploration, oil spill and quietly installed to improve water quality and monitoring, and baseline surveys. response, environmental chemistry, and envi- and enhance marine wildlife habitat while ronmental assessments. saving and rebuilding shorelines.

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EvoLogicsEvoLogicsEvoLogics GmbH GmbH GmbH AckerstrasseAckerstrasseAckerstrasse 76, 76, 76, tel.:tel.: +49tel.: +49 30+49 30 4679 30 4679 4679 862-0 862-0 862-0 [email protected]@[email protected] 133551335513355 Berlin, Berlin, Berlin, Germany Germany Germany fax:fax: +49fax: +49 30+49 30 4679 30 4679 4679 862-01 862-01 862-01 evologics.deevologics.deevologics.de OCEANHUB™ SUBSEA NODE OSI’S SOLUTION FOR OCEAN OBSERVING NETWORKS

SUBSEA NODE OSI’s OceanHub™ enables common oceanographic sensors to be connected to a FPO submarine cable, providing communications and power for long-term, in-situ observations. OSI (PU Sept ad) Applications: • Scientific observatories • Oil/gas field instrumentation • Renewable energy • Tsunami and seismic warning systems • Port/coastal security

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