SRAP was pleased to collaborate with the Embassy of Spain in Australia for the panel discussion “The Health of Our Oceans: Science at the Centre of Our Restoration Efforts”, hosted at the Embassy in Canberra.
The event brought together experts in marine science, ocean policy and ecological restoration to discuss the challenges facing marine ecosystems, as well as the innovative and collaborative approaches needed to build a more resilient future for our oceans.
The panel was moderated by Prof. Ana Vila-Concejo, Deputy Head of the School of Geosciences at the University of Sydney, Co-Director of the Marine Studies Institute, and Deputy Director of One Tree Island Research Station.
Panellists included Prof. Adriana Vergés, Director of the UNSW Centre for Marine Science & Innovation; Dr Ian Butler, Joint Coordinator for developed countries in the UN Group of Experts for the Regular Process; Dr Francisco Martínez Baena, Program Manager of Project Restoreau at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science; and Prof. Melanie Bishop, Co-Director of the Macquarie University Smart Green Cities Research Centre and Co-Founder of Living Seawalls.
The discussion highlighted how science, policy and community action must work together to accelerate ocean restoration and conservation outcomes. From global assessments to local restoration projects, the panel showed the importance of partnerships across research, government, industry and community sectors.
The event also included a recorded message from Dr Rafael González-Quirós, from the Instituto Español de Oceanografía, who shared the outcomes of the 3rd World Ocean Assessment, recently presented at the United Nations in New York on World Oceans Day.
SRAP warmly thanks the Embassy of Spain in Australia for hosting this important conversation, and all speakers and attendees for contributing to a timely discussion on the future of our oceans.