Ocean Change Initiative

More than 70% of out planets surface is covered by ocean. We rely on it for many things including food, transport and pleasure. However, in recent years it has undergone many changes, most of which we have influenced.  Below we explore some of the aspects of ocean change.

You can jump to sections by clicking the link below.

Understanding Change
Affected by Change
Solutions
How do we get there?
Useful Links

Understanding Change

A marine biological community is the assemblage of species that co-occur and interact in a given habitat or ecosystem. The population of each species in the community is influenced by factors such as food availability, habitat availability, predation, disease, competition with endemic and invasive species, and physical and chemical conditions. Marine communities are thus shaped by combinations of factors. We can look at some of these aspects by following the links below.

Within the marine biological community are a number of important resources or communities influenced by food availability, habitat availability, predation, disease, competition with endemic and invasive species, and physical and chemical conditions. Some of the marine resources or communities being investigated by Conservation Science Institute are:

Conservation Science Institute is working to understand the factors implicated in controlling survival and reproductive success of marine species, ways to resolve emerging ecological and environmental dilemmas, and promote the recovery of ecosystems

A Revolution in Conservation Biology!  Conservation Science Institute has established a program development team who is dedicated to assisting Conservation Science Institute fellows in finding funding and other resources. We are working to establish a small community of fellows working in cooperation with the Conservation Science Institute and, in a myriad of ways, working towards the recovery of ecosystems.

See what the Conservation Science Institute fellows are doing here

Useful Links

The groups or initiatives listed below are those to which Conservation Science Institute provides information, or those that  stand out as particularly helpful in resolving ecological dilemmas related to the oceans.

Sea Around Us Project aims to provide an integrated analysis of the impacts of fisheries on marine ecosystems, and to devise policies that can mitigate and reverse harmful trends whilst ensuring the social and economic benefits of sustainable fisheries.

Oceana is a non-profit international advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the world's oceans through policy advocacy, science, law, and public education.

The Marine Conservation Biology Institute works to protect and restore marine life by encouraging research and training in marine conservation biology, bringing scientists together to examine crucial marine conservation issues, doing policy research to frame the marine conservation agenda, lecturing, producing books and other publications to educate scientists, the public and decision makers on key issues, and building partnerships to solve problems affecting marine life and people.

The Marine Fish Conservation Network is a coalition of over 150 national and regional environmental organizations, commercial and recreational fishing groups, aquariums, and marine science groups dedicated to conserving marine fish and to promoting their long-term sustainability.

The Shifting Baselines Group: Marine Biology heroes Jim Carlton, Paul Dayton, and Daniel Pauly conceived the phenomenon of shifting baselines as 'moving targets of reduced expectations of the natural state of an ecosystem.' Baselines 'shift' because new researchers erroneously perceive the ecosystems they first encounter to be healthy baselines.

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting our oceans, waves, and beaches.

The Earth Island Institute develops and supports projects that counteract threats to the biological and cultural diversity that sustain the environment. Through education and activism, these projects promote the conservation, preservation, and restoration of the Earth.