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WOODS HOLE, MA - Fishermen and others interested in learning more about the new initiative to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) will soon have an opportunity to sit in on an MPA symposium.
The Ocean Life Institute of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is presenting "Marine Protected Areas: Design and Implementation for Conservation and Fisheries Restoration" Aug. 27-29 in Woods Hole.
According to organizers, the aim of the three-day symposium is to "provide a broad view of current thinking about MPAs, with an emphasis on the scientific theory and practice that are fundamental to their rational planning and management in varied ocean environments."
The target audience for the event includes marine scientists, government policy-makers, fishermen, economists, and "anyone else with interest in marine conservation and fisheries restoration."
Among the scheduled speakers are: Mike Fogarty and Steve Murawski, Northeast Fisheries Science Center; Dick Allen, LobsterConservation.com; Roger Griffis, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Peter Auster, University of Connecticut; Molly Lutcavage, New England Aquarium; Mike Pentony, New England Fishery Management Council; Jim Sanchirico, Resources for the Future; and numerous other academic professionals from around the country.
The cost for the three-day conference is $75, which includes refreshments at breaks, a reception on Aug. 27, and a copy of the symposium publication with abstracts. There is an additional charge of $30 to attend the symposium dinner on Aug. 28.
Complete information on the conference is available on the Ocean Life Institute web site at http://www.whoi.edu.Insitutes/OLI/MPAs. For more information, contact Ellen Bailey at: phone (508) 289-2308; fax (508) 457-2134; or e-maill ebailey@whoi.edu.
Web discussion
Another source of information on current thinking regarding MPAs is an online Internet discussion currently underway at http://www.neaq.org/special/mpaforum/.
Hosted by the New England Aquarium and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sea Grant College Program, the discussion began on July 16 and will run through Aug. 17.
The specific focus, according to discussion hosts, is to "clarify the role of and need for MPAs in the Gulf of Maine."
