World Ocean Network: Acting Together for the Future of the Blue Planet Concrete Field Action Committ

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World Ocean NetworkActing Together for the
Future of the Blue PlanetConcrete Field Action
Committee

• Leonard Sonnenschein
• Chairman

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We have been to many other public aquariums and
are impressed in how St. Louis Childrens
Aquarium incorporates learning, fun and
encourages people to become actively involved in
aquatic conservation efforts.Visitor to St.
Louis Childrens Aquarium July, 2003
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Summary

• Who We are
• First Concrete Field Action
• Second Action
• Progress
• Attention Areas
• Schedule
• Certifications
• Modifying Fish Diets
• Goals for 2004

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Who We Are

• CONCRETE FIELD ACTIONS COMMITTEE GOALS
• Implementing outdoor/indoor field actions on a
  local scale as well as on a global scale.
  
• to launch a call for Field actions project within
  the Network, according to pre-defined criteria
  and objective.
  
• Partners supports of local initiatives on the
  field as well as votes for global projects which
  will be financed by the Network fund for Field
  action.
• WORLD OCEAN DAY Celebrations.

• Develop common international projects in the
  above areas and consider for additional funding
  
• Develop joint projects for local action project
  for all World Ocean Network participants
  
• Establish a Manatee Study Group.
• Enlarge the action program to groups to include
  Eastern Europe Countries, China, Southeast Asia,
  South America and Persian Gulf.

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First concrete field action The wreck of the Pr
estige on the Spanish coasts in Fall, 2002 led us
in partnership with the director of the
Finisterrae Aquarium (La Coroña) to the launching
of a petition. This petition encourages the
national and international authorities to
reinforce marine security. We already received
55,000 signatures for the Petition against
polluting single-hulled bulk-carriers! We have
managed to involve thousands of people in
Australia, Polynesia, US, South Africa,
Mauritania, Cameroon, and all over Europe and
many more.  
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Considering that- The building of OCP has
resulted in severe violations of human rights and
outstanding environmental impacts. - The
management of OCP continues to pose a growing
risk to the environment and social and economic
well-being of Ecuador and its inhabitants.- In
Ecuador, more than 30 years of oil extraction has
increased the nations external debt and poverty
levels.
Second Action OCP Pipeline - Ecuador

• We demand that
• International companies and banks fully uphold
  Ecuadorian and international laws.
  
• Members of OCP be held responsible for
  environmental and human rights violations.
  
• To declare a moratorium on oil exploration in
  Ecuador.
  
• To respect the rights of indigenous peoples.

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AmbienteNews
RENACE
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Progress

• Creation of Working groups.
• Creation of database and information network.
• First International Action
• The wreck of the Prestige on the Spanish
  coasts.
  
• Ocean Day Celebration.
• Newsletter.
• Second Action.

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Future Attention Areas

• Kids and Water
• International Certifications
• Organic Aquaculture
• Ocean Protection/Preservation
• USA participation in the international network
• International Manatee Working Group

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• Safeguarding Station Safeguarding station for
  the European Pond Turtle Emys orbicularys (in
  collaboration with the Province of Savona and the
  Forest Entity of the State)
• LIFE Project The urgent actions taken for the
  conservation of the Common Eurasian Spadefoot
  Toad Pelobates fuscus insubricus ( in
  collaboration with WWF Italy)
• Urban Dolphins Project Carried out in
  collaboration with the University of Genoa.
  

• Mermaid 1999, Mermaid 2000, and Mermaid 2002
  Campaigns These campaigns were carried out
  under the coordination of Saclantcen.
  
• Breeding Project Reproduction of the Seahorse
  Hippocampus sp.
  
• Development Program The development of
  techniques for the reproduction of amphibians and
  chameleons
  
• Breeding Know-how Development program
  Reproduction of Common Spider Tortoise Pyxis
  arachnoides

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AmbienteNews (Argentina)

• The website promotes every NGO actions, such as
• Forecast of fishing in the Argentinean Sea
  (develop by the NGO CedePesca)
  
• South Americas role in the global catch and
  trade of Patagonian Toothfish (Chilean Sea Bass).
  TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network. A
  Regional Perspective analyses information for
  each of the five countries in the region engaged
  in the catch and/or trade of toothfish
  Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay.
• The failure of Fishing Reform in Spain.
• Marines species in danger of extinction sea
  turtles in Costa Rica.

• Actions plans by WWF Safeguarding the Health of
  Oceans.
  
• The newsletter AmbienteNews keep special
  attention to LATEST NEWS about these problems in
  Latin America
  
• Marine environment.
• Commercial fish species fully exploited or
  overexploited.
  
• Coastal waters contaminated and influence in the
  ecosystems.
  
• Health effects of water pollution.
• Freshwater ecosystems.

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ALIHUEN (Argentina)

• Project Outreach in the Schools- Proyecto de
  Difusión en Escuelas
  
• Environmental education in the local Schools.
• Evitemos la desaparición de los Bañados del Río
  Atuel.
  
• Project to incorporate the Rio Atuel wetlands
  located among the Prov. of the Pampas and Mendoza
  to the List of Wetlands of International
  Importance (RAMSAR)
• 3º y 4º Congreso Pampeano de Medio Ambiente para
  Adolescentes
  
• Environmental Congress for Adolescents.

• Dry food project
• The drying of foods is one the practices used in
  the past . Today the dehydration of foods
  follows effective point for commercial products,
  for communities that don't have access to other
  conservation technologies.
• Boletín Electrónico de Alihuen
• Espacio Verde
• Handling of Cultural and Natural Resources in
  the Community of Puelches. Project Cultural
  Center their purpose is to generate a space
  synthesizer of cultural and tourist activities of
  the Region

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Moorea, French Polynesia

• Dolphin Quest French Polynesia is located on the
  Island of Moorea
  
• Since 1994, Dolphin Quest supports actions in
  local community conservation and preservation
  
• Dolphin Quest is proud to support free education
  programs for local schools and has welcome up to
  1700 children up to date.. 
  
• In 1997, Dolphin Quest and Dr Cécile Gaspar
  started together with local researchers a non
  profit foundation OCP, Observatory of Polynesian
  Cetacean, which goals are to promote knowledge
  and conservation messages to better protect
  marine mammals.
• A marine mammal sanctuary has been created by the
  Tahitian government in May 2002 !!!

• International Coastal Clean-up Day
• On September 21, 2002, Dolphin Quest teams took
  part in the International Coastal Clean-up Day
  on beaches of the pristine Island of Moorea.
  
• World Environment Day In Moorea
• As part of the World Environment Day in Moorea
  on June 5, 2002, Dolphin Quest organized two
  community activities, involving drawing contest
  and poems with local school children.
• Science festival , October 7 th to 11 th 2002.
  Dolphin Quest took part of this national event
  during one week and focused on marine debris and
  recycling.

OCP
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 RENACE- Red nacional de Acción ecologista -
Argentina

• Argentinean National NGO Network of more than 50
  organizations.
  
• Local and National Environmental Campaign
• Environmental education, environmental
  protection, fishery, nuclear, pollution and
  social ecology
  
• E-Bulletin RENACE

• Latest Campaign
• Lago Agrio Declaration
• The organizations and Ecuadorian and foreign
  individuals, gathered in Lago Agrio from the 20
  to October 22, with the purpose of discussing as
  facing the serious damages caused by the OCP
  Consortium and the oil exploitation in the
  Ecuadorian Amazonía, and in solidarity with the
  Ecuadorian groups basing us on a common belief
  and in commitment with the respect of the human
  rights, environmental, cultural, social and
  economic. 

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Restore Americas Estuaries
Since 1995, protecting and restoring the lands
and waters essential to the richness and
diversity of coastal life.

• Restore 1 Million Acres of Estuarine Habitat by
  2010
  
• Since 2000
• Initiated 250 restoration projects
• Restoring 40,000 acres
• Engaged 50,000 volunteers

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Shedd Aquarium

• Project Seahorse
• This international program works toward the
  long-term survival of seahorses in the wild
  through biological research, trade surveys,
  policy development, adjustment of consumption and
  on-site field management in conjunction with the
  local people who depend on these fishes for their
  livelihood.
• Partnership with the Western Illinois University
  ProgramLaboratory of Sensory Biology
  
• The on-site bioacoustics and teaching lab at the
  Aquarium offers WIU faculty and students working
  toward master's degrees in biology a rare
  opportunity to closely observe a wide variety of
  animals, including dolphins and whales at the
  Aquarium.

• West Indian Rock Iguana
• In-house and field conservation research project
  in partnership with partner with the American Zoo
  and Aquarium Association (AZA) and IUCN in a
  long-term conservation program known as the AZA
  Rock Iguana Species Survival Plan. As part of
  this plan, Shedd's ex-situ work focuses on
  breeding the critically endangered Grand Cayman
  iguana (Cyclura nubila lewisi).
• Freshwater mussel surveys
• Shedd Aquarium is partner with the Illinois
  Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) in
  conducting mussel field surveys. The IDNR is
  systematically sampling the state's major river
  systems - including the Sangamon, Green, Fox and
  Illinois -- for mussel species.
• Chicago Wilderness
• In 1994, Shedd joined three-dozen other
  educational and conservation organizations,
  forest preserve districts and local, state and
  federal agencies to form the Chicago Region
  Biodiversity Council.

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St. Louis Childrens Aquarium

• Ocean Day Celebration
• We structured an easy and comprehensive calendar
  of activities, aim to involve in the Celebration
  Day all the different ages of our visitors.
  Hands-on, painting workshops, quiz and tours were
  the pivotal issue of the day.
• ESTME - Excellence in Science, Technology, and
  Mathematics Education Week
  
• To celebrate ESTME the STLCA has joined
  representative from public and private
  organizations to create activities and events to
  help parents, teachers, and professional excite
  K-12 student about the opportunity to discover
  and explore their world through math and science
  learning.
• Kids and Water Program inaugurated
• US Army Corps of Engineers
• The STLCA work and collaborate with the Army
  Corps of Engineers for the Environmental
  Coordination of the Middle Mississippi River and
  on the Dead Zone Committee.
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• Innovation in Aquaculture Seminar
• Organized by the National Oceanographic and
  Atmospheric Administration at its headquarters in
  Silver Springs, Maryland, and St. Louis
  Childrens Aquarium, introduced strategic
  initiatives such as improvement in aquaculture
  production, decreasing negative environmental
  effects, increased production and a reduced price
  at the consumer level.
• The Amazon and Sustainability Environmental
  Dream or Security Nightmare? International
  Conference
  
•   In continuation of our commitment to the study
  of the Amazon River, St. Louis Childrens
  Aquarium sponsored this international conference
  with the co-sponsorship of The Woodrow Wilson
  Centers Brazil Project. The conference provided
  a forum for discussion of vital environmental,
  educational and economic issues of Brazil, its
  fragile rainforest and river ecosystem, and
  international implications associated with the
  Amazon Surveillance System (SIVAM).
• The Journal of The Water Planet inaugurated

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• "The Two Oceans Aquarium and the AfriOceans
  Conservation Alliance (AOCA) are in the process
  of launching the 'Maxine Science, Education and
  Awareness Programme (M-Sea)'.  The overall
  objective of the programme is to assist in the
  conservation of Africa's marine resources, in
  general, and it's sharks in particular.   
• The Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, South
  Africa, endeavors to increase awareness about
  sharks and to educate the public about their
  importance in the oceans and their
  vulnerability to over-fishing, .  The Aquarium
  currently houses five ragged-tooth sharks in its
  main exhibit.  They have been good ambassadors
  for the oceans and it is now time for them to be
  returned to the wild. 
• The Aquarium intends releasing the first of these
  sharks, named Maxine, between January and March
  2004. Maxine has an interesting history, which
  will form part of a full length documentary on
  the life cycle of ragged-tooth sharks.  She will
  also become the central icon for the M-Sea
  Programme. 

• The M-Sea Programme can be separated into three
  components Science, Film production and
  Education and Awareness. 
  
• Maxine will be released with satellite and sonic
  tags and, through the production of the
  documentary films and the creation of a weekly
  updated website (and other education material),
  she is set to become an icon representing the
  plight of sharks throughout the oceans of the
  world. 
• The M-Sea Programme has been designed to extract
  maximum target audience reach.  Provisionally it
  is estimated that it will directly reach about 1
  million people while, simultaneously, it will
  draw the attention of, and impart the
  underpinning message, to many millions more. The
  M-Sea programme has been endorsed by the
  Executive Committee of the IUCN Shark Specialist
  Group.

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Upcoming WON Schedule Activities

• November, 2003 First-Year Synopsis to UNESCOs
  Oceans Conference
  
• March 2004 ESTME week
• June 8 2004 World Ocean Day
• Citizens of the Sea
• Passport of the Citizens of the Ocean
  worldwide children and adult personal
  conservation action oriented.
  
• Common Display Itinerant Worldwide Exhibit.

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Recommendation for Fisheries Certifications

• Establishment of certification standards for
  better management practices and aquaculture and
  fisheries industries.
  
• HACCP, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
  System Quality assurance System
  
• ISO 9001 quality assurance in
  design/development
  
• ISO 9002 quality assurance in production,
  installation and services
  
• Certifiers
• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) it works to
  enhance responsible management of seafood
  resources, to ensure sustainability of global
  fish stocks and the health of marine ecosystem.
• Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) MAC Certification
  covers both practices (industry operators,
  facilities and collection areas) and products
  (aquarium organisms).
• Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) world
  leading testing, inspection and certification for
  food and agricultural industries.
  
• Aquaculture Certification Council US NGO
  established to certify social, environmental and
  food standards at aquaculture facilities around
  the world.
• The Institute for Social, Economic and Ecological
  Sustainability (ISEES) was initiated in July
  1996 to strengthen the University of Minnesotas
  capacity to analyze sustainability issues and
  recommend options for moving toward
  sustainability. Promoting organic food
  certification.

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Recommended Fisheries Related Action - Modifying
Animal Feeds to

• Decrease dependance upon Fish oil with the use of
  alternative feed oil sources.
  
• Decrease Nitrogen toxicity effects from
  effluents.
  
• Decrease dependance upon Fish, Meat, Bone,
  Blood Meal
  
• Increase use of grains in diet formulation.

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Concrete Actions Committee ResolutionAcknowledge
ments and Recommendations

• Aquatic conservation efforts are increasing at
  public institutions with media support and other
  documentation provided for the public for
  engagement.
• Public aquarium's staff realize their opportunity
  to play an important role in conservation and
  research.
  
• Partnership development between public aquariums,
  educational institutions, research organizations
  and other non-governmental organizations have
  achieved measurable success in fundraising
  efforts.
• The results of collaborations can also lead way
  to making concrete action changes in the
  environment through protection, conservation and
  sustainable use.
• It is important for institutions and
  organizations to demonstrate these potentials
  through exhibits and to provide funding for our
  personnel and their activities in creating
  practice to environmental actions (not only
  education programs) and field programs with
  intercommunication between scientists, educators,
  policy makers and the general public.
• We are at the brink of opportunity and need each
  institution to commit to playing a role in change
  that not only is cognitive, but also
  pragmatically identified in their budget and
  operation.

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2004 Goals of the Concrete Field Actions
Committee

• Encouraging personal, non-polluting,
  non-endangering activities, through Passport
  Committee.
  
• Supporting institutions in their applied research
  and conservation activities.
  
• Supporting and initiating legislative actions for
  governmental protection and preservation
  campaigns.
  
• Promote ecosystem and fishery management
  conservation
  
• Promote sustainable use and management of
  riverine and aquarium fisheries (like the Marine
  Aquarium Council activities and Marine
  Stewardship Council)
• Promote better practices and organic standards
  and documentation for the seafood industry
  
• Promote the change in formulation in aquaculture
  and livestock feed, to lessen the need of fish
  oil and fish meal to decrease demand for drift
  net fisheries and decrease nitrogen effluent
  downstream and oceanic effects.