[Coral-List] National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series: Special Speaker Event in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Papahānaumokuākea

[Andy Collins - NOAA Federal]

Webinar: Why We Need to Protect More of the Ocean

June 15, 2021 at 12 pm Hawaiʻi / 3 pm Pacific / 6 pm Eastern (1.5 hours)

Dr. Enric Sala, Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Society

Dr. Alan Friedlander, Chief Scientist, National Geographic Pristine Seas

Register:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2385267745675846411

Without the ocean, human life on Earth would be impossible. But
increasing overexploitation and global warming are depleting ocean
biodiversity and bringing the ocean to a tipping point, beyond which
we may never recover. The establishment of marine protected areas
(MPAs) is a proven and cost-effective tool to ensure a healthy ocean
and prevent catastrophe, yet currently less than 3% of the ocean
enjoys strong protection. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
established in 2006, and today celebrating 15 years of protections,
was the first remote large-scale MPA and protects one of the most
intact coral reef ecosystems on Earth. This predator-dominated
ecosystem harbors unique biodiversity, numerous threatened and
endangered species, and serves as a baseline for understanding how
natural coral reefs function in the absence of humans. Over the past
15+ years, several dozen large-scale MPAs have been created,
protecting some of the world’s last remaining “pristine” ecosystems
and contributing significantly to global marine conservation efforts.
New research strongly supports the case for protecting at least 30% of
the ocean by 2030 (30x30) to preserve ocean biodiversity, enhance food
security, and secure ocean carbon stocks to help mitigate climate
change. Therefore, there is a critical need to increase the support
for ocean conservation so that both people and nature can thrive.

Dr. Enric Sala is a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and
founder of Pristine Seas, a project that combines exploration,
research, and media to inspire country leaders to protect the last
wild places in the ocean.

Dr.  Alan Friedlander is Chief Scientist for the National Geographic
Society’s Pristine Seas program, and a researcher at the University of
Hawai‘i.

This presentation is part of the Third Thursday By the Bay
Presentation Series at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center that is the visitor
center for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in Hilo,
Hawaiʻi. This State of the Monument lecture series is also supported
by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation through a grant from the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Register:  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2385267745675846411



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Andy Collins
Education Coordinator
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Mokupāpapa Discovery Center
76 Kamehameha Ave
Hilo, HI 96720

Office: 808-725-5891
Cell:  808-294-5556
Fax:  808-933-8186

email: andy.collins at noaa.gov

Visit us on the Web: www.papahanaumokuakea.gov
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Papahanaumokuakea