Saving Seafood

Webinar Recording Now Available: Can a new approach provide reliable estimates of shortfin mako shark abundance and productivity in the Atlantic Ocean?

November 14, 2019 — The following was released by the LenFest Ocean Program:

On Wednesday, November 13, Dr. Mark Bravington of Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) discussed his work to improve the information used to assess and manage shortfin mako sharks in the Atlantic Ocean.

A recording of the webinar is now available and can be accessed here.

For the past several months, Dr. Bravington has been examining the feasibility of a genetic method known as close-kin mark-recapture for estimating shortfin mako shark abundance in a way that avoids the limitations and biases associated with estimates collected through fishing activities. Such a tool could help fisheries scientists develop more accurate stock assessments to inform effective management strategies for this species, which is overfished in the North Atlantic.

Download the project fact sheet to learn more.

TIME CHANGE: November 13 Webinar on Estimating Shortfin Mako Shark Abundance and Productivity in the Atlantic Ocean

November 11, 2019 — The following was released by the Lenfest Ocean Program:

Join us on Wednesday, November 13 for a webinar featuring Dr. Mark Bravington of Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), where he will discuss his work to improve the information used to assess and manage shortfin mako sharks in the Atlantic Ocean.

*TIME CHANGE* Mark will now be offering the webinar twice on November 13: at 9 am GMT for eastern Atlantic audiences, and at 4 pm EST for western Atlantic audiences.

Register for the 9 am GMT webinar

Register for the 4 pm EST webinar

For the past several months, Dr. Bravington has been examining the feasibility of a genetic method known as close-kin mark-recapture for estimating shortfin mako shark abundance in a way that avoids the limitations and biases associated with estimates collected through fishing activities. Such a tool could help fisheries scientists develop more accurate stock assessments to inform effective management strategies for this species, which is overfished in the North Atlantic.

Download the project fact sheet to learn more.

Reminder: November 13 Webinar on Estimating Shortfin Mako Shark Abundance and Productivity in the Atlantic Ocean

November 5, 2019 — The following was released by the Lenfest Ocean Program:

Join us on Wednesday, November 13 at 9:00 am EST/2:00 pm GMT for a webinar featuring Dr. Mark Bravington of Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), where he will discuss his work to improve the information used to assess and manage shortfin mako sharks in the Atlantic Ocean.

For the past several months, Dr. Bravington has been examining the feasibility of a genetic method known as close-kin mark-recapture for estimating shortfin mako shark abundance in a way that avoids the limitations and biases associated with estimates collected through fishing activities. Such a tool could help fisheries scientists develop more accurate stock assessments to inform effective management strategies for this species, which is overfished in the North Atlantic.

Download the project fact sheet to learn more.

Register for the Webinar here.

November 13 Webinar on Estimating Shortfin Mako Shark Abundance and Productivity in the Atlantic Ocean

October 24, 2019 — The following was released by the Lenfest Ocean Program:

Join us on Wednesday, November 13 at 9:00 am EST/2:00 pm GMT for a webinar featuring Dr. Mark Bravington of Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), where he will discuss his work to improve the information used to assess and manage shortfin mako sharks in the Atlantic Ocean.

For the past several months, Dr. Bravington has been examining the feasibility of a genetic method known as close-kin mark-recapture for estimating shortfin mako shark abundance in a way that avoids the limitations and biases associated with estimates collected through fishing activities. Such a tool could help fisheries scientists develop more accurate stock assessments to inform effective management strategies for this species, which is overfished in the North Atlantic.

Download the project fact sheet to learn more.

TOMORROW–Webinar on Genomics for Fisheries Management: An Application to the Thorny Skate

September 17, 2019 — The following was released by the Lenfest Ocean Program:

Join the Lenfest Ocean Program on Wednesday, September 18 at 10:00 am EDT/2:00 pm GMT for a webinar featuring Dr. Gavin Naylor of the University of Florida to discuss his project on thorny skate genomics in the North Atlantic.

Dr. Naylor and his team are using modern genomic tools to tease out the spatial population structure of thorny skates and to investigate factors that may have contributed to past changes in abundance. The findings could help managers determine the appropriate spatial scale for thorny skate management and lead to the development of effective conservation strategies across the North Atlantic. The project began in 2017.

Download the project fact sheet to learn more.

Register for the webinar here

September 20: Interactive Webinar on Identifying Priorities for Shifting Marine Species

September 12, 2019 — The following was released by the Lenfest Ocean Program:

The Lenfest Ocean Program will host an interactive webinar on Friday, September 20 from 12:30 pm-2 pm ET during which participants can share their perspectives on shifting marine species. The webinar is open to anyone interested in discussing this critical issue.

This webinar is a precursor to an Ideas Lab workshop that the Lenfest Ocean Program, in collaboration with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Biodiversity Funder’s Group, will host later this fall to discuss the future of U.S. fisheries in the face of climate change, generate research priorities, and kickstart the funding of key research projects. The application period for this workshop closed on August 22.

To facilitate planning around the webinar, which will include breakout discussion groups, please register by 12 pm ET on Thursday, September 19.

For background on the Ideas Lab, listen to the introductory webinar hosted by Lenfest on July 31.

Upcoming Webinar: How Genomics Can Inform Fisheries Management

September 6, 2019 — The following was released by Lenfest Ocean Program:

Join the Lenfest Ocean Program on Wednesday, September 18 at 10:00 am EST/2:00 pm GMT for a webinar featuring Dr. Gavin Naylor of the University of Florida to discuss his project on thorny skate genomics in the North Atlantic.

Dr. Naylor and his team are using modern genomic tools to tease out the spatial population structure of thorny skates and to investigate factors that may have contributed to past changes in abundance. The findings could help managers determine the appropriate spatial scale for thorny skate management and lead to the development of effective conservation strategies across the North Atlantic. The project began in 2017.

Download the project fact sheet to learn more.

Register for the webinar

Webinar Recording Now Available: Estimating Fish and Invertebrate Production Associated with Key Coastal Habitats

August 20, 2019 — The following was released by Lenfest Ocean Program:

Many thanks to those who were able to join the August 6 webinar introducing a new study to quantify fish and invertebrate production associated with coastal habitats!

A recording of the one-hour webinar is now available online and can be accessed here. If you would like include the recording in your agency’s/organization’s monthly newsletter or similar outlet, suggested language is included below:

Webinar Highlights Research to Quantify Fish Production from Coastal Habitats

Just how important are oyster reefs, seagrass beds, and salt marshes for producing economically and ecologically important fish and invertebrate species along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coasts? Watch this webinar to learn about an exciting new project led by Bryan DeAngelis of The Nature Conservancy that seeks to quantify such production and identify certain characteristics that make these habitats especially valuable. This research is being funded by the Lenfest Ocean Program.

APPLICATIONS DUE THURSDAY, 8/22: October 2019 Workshop to Identify Research Priorities for Shifting Marine Species

August 19, 2019 — The following was released by Lenfest Ocean Program:

The shifting distribution of marine species is one of the most visible impacts of climate change on the world’s oceans. Scientists, fishermen and others on the East and West Coasts of the United States have observed range shifts that have disrupted species ecology, fishing patterns and management strategies. In every region of the US, fish populations are projected to shift further as ocean temperatures continue to warm.

Open Call for Participants

This fall, the Lenfest Ocean Program, in collaboration with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Biodiversity Funder’s Group, will host a three-day Ideas Lab workshop to bring together scientists, managers, stakeholders, and funders for a collaborative discussion about the future of fisheries in the face of climate change. The workshop, which will take place from October 21-23, 2019, in Washington, DC, will aim to generate research priorities and kickstart the funding of key research projects.

We are seeking individuals with local knowledge, scientific expertise, insights or specific perspectives who are interested in a collaborative, interdisciplinary Ideas Lab designed to generate priority research questions for funding consideration. An Ideas Lab is an intensive meeting that brings together multiple diverse perspectives to focus on finding innovative cross-disciplinary solutions to a critical problem.

Read the full release here

Applications Due August 22: October 2019 Workshop to Identify Research Priorities for Shifting Marine Species

August 14, 2019 — The following was released by the Lenfest Ocean Program:

Call for Participants

The Lenfest Ocean Program, in collaboration with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Biodiversity Funder’s Group, is seeking applicants for a three-day Ideas Lab workshop to discuss the future of U.S. fisheries in the face of climate change, generate research priorities, and kickstart the funding of key research projects. Our geographic focus will be the continental United States.

  • Workshop dates: October 21-23, 2019
  • Location: Washington, DC
  • Application deadline: August 22, 2019

All travel, lodging, and meals will be paid for by the Lenfest Ocean Program.

Event Background and Eligibility

An Ideas Lab is an intensive meeting that brings together diverse perspectives to focus on crafting innovative cross-disciplinary solutions to a critical problem. This workshop will bring together state and federal managers and policymakers, stakeholders, scientists and funders with local knowledge, scientific expertise, insights or perspectives who are interested in developing priority research questions for funding consideration.

If you are interested in applying, please read the entire call on our website which includes additional background and eligibility requirements.

If you have questions about this opportunity, visit our website or email us.