Public Outreach Abstracts
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Aquariums and Science Centres:
Main Actors Towards the Blue Society Florence Huron, World Ocean Network, International Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The Ocean holds tremendous opportunities to meet society’s present and future needs. It can feed and care for people, provide renewable and clean energy, create jobs, generate more equity, etc. By sharing knowledge and involving citizens and stakeholders, the Blue Society can initiate technological, ecological and inclusive social solutions and positive actions. The Blue Society relies on the potential of the Ocean for a better and desirable future based on a sustainable and equitable socio-economic development. The concept was introduced at the UN Rio+20 Summit on Sustainable Development and the IAC in Cape Town in 2012. At the same time, Nausicaá and World Ocean Network European partners launched Sea for Society project funded by the DG R&I of the European Commission. It gathered 28 organizations and networks from various activity fields: research, data management and knowledge transfer, business and innovation, environmental advocacy, public engagement and education in 12 countries. Together, they consulted citizens and stakeholders throughout Europe who identified challenges and developed new ideas for marine research and maritime governance. They crafted the Blue Society concept, its principles, implementation recommendations, and launched a European awareness raising campaign reaching almost 1,5 million people and actively engaging with 350 000 of them. This momentum sparked other initiatives: new European projects focusing on knowledge transfer and ocean literacy are now building on the results of the Sea for Society. In France, the Blue Society Think Tank assembles representatives of the research area, maritime industry, NGOs and decision making bodies, who operationalize the Blue Society in their fields of activity. Blue Society will also be on the agenda of the coming international ministerial meeting on Sustainable Ocean Economy convened by Portugal in June. Aquariums and science centers play a major role in this process. They are information “brokers”, interface between different stakeholder groups and the public, and a source of inspiration. They give their audience a large role in crafting new approaches to ocean governance. World Ocean Network will: expand the Mr.Goodfish program, participate in a process to promote sustainable seafood consumption, an example of Blue Society initiative, in to more European countries and Latin America, identify and promote other Blue Society initiatives world-wide, and build the community of Citizens of the Ocean, ambassadors of the Blue Society. |
Growing the Reach and Impact of World Oceans Day with and for Aquariums
Bill Mott, The Ocean Project Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
World Oceans Day is a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future. The Ocean Project has served as the central coordinating organization internationally for World Oceans Day since 2003. We work with hundreds of aquariums and many other organizations, governments, business and more, from all sectors, to help expand the reach and impact of World Oceans Day on June 8 and -- starting in 2016 -- year-round visitor engagement for conservation education and action. For 2016, we are promoting prevention of plastic ocean pollution as the major ocean conservation focus worldwide. We will be integrating opportunities for action regarding marine protected areas throughout 2016, using the World Oceans Day network to help governments designate special coastal and ocean areas. World Oceans Day has grown tremendously each year since 2003 when The Ocean Project launched www.WorldOceansDay.org and began to promote and coordinate this event. With hundreds of partners getting involved in dozens of countries and especially since official United Nationsrecognition of June 8 as World Oceans Day in late 2008, we have collectively reached millions worldwide. Among other things, we launched a new website in 2016, developed very active media platforms, and provided other tools and resources for organizations and individuals around the world to use for free, all to help raise the profile of the ocean and inspire more involvement in helping to conserve this amazing resource we all depend on. With creation in 2016 of a World Oceans Day Youth Advisory Council, we will be looking to focus much more on engaging youth around the world. As a result of this rapid growth, The Ocean Project will be launching a new organization, focused solely on expanding World Oceans Day opportunities worldwide, in all countries, cultures, and especially in partnership with youth worldwide and collaboration with the planet’s aquariums. This presentation will provide an overview of World Oceans Day, an update from 2016, and provide strategic opportunities for aquariums to collaborate regionally and globally, into the future to help create a healthier ocean and a healthier planet. |
Is There a Future for Aquariums?
A Prospective Attempt to Perpetuate Our Activity Philippe de Lacaze, Clear Reef International Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The Aquarium world has drastically evolved over two decades. Dominated in the past by scientific oriented aquariums, most of which were focusing on local visitors by showing local species, the picture is now mostly dominated by developers with fine-tuned “business models”. Giant aquariums have sprung, big international groups took off, touristic spots have become a competitive field for big players. How can this new scenario match with current trends in our societies? In the same timeframe, the very fundamental world trends have also faced a staggering change bringing their share of opportunities and threats to which aquariums, as every species on our planet, will need to adapt. Five trends are analyzed in order to propose ways to adapt. 1. The conservation issue is for sure a real long term trend in public awareness. This should be aquarium’s strength and we should not let financial interests undermine it. 2. Medias and social networks have taken an incredible weight in the knowhow transmission for the best and the worst. Facing this incredible volume of confusing information scattered around we should clarify and homogenize our actions / messages. 3. Internet has welcomed in our lives the “dictatorship” of instantaneity and constant changes. We know it all, immediately. Aquariums should not race on this issue but rather propose long term messages. 4. The age structure disparities keep growing from aged populations in western countries to young emerging countries. Aquariums shall not be alike regardless of local cultures. 5. The high tech “boom”. In the very short term a devise allowing us to artificially swim surrounded by thousands of fishes with a tremendous sense of realism will be affordable to each of us. Aquariums should opposite ever more active visits. Continued existence implies perpetual adaptation… |