Marine conservation experts from the University of Plymouth are playing an integral role in a £20 million programme aimed at transforming the global response to the threats facing our oceans.
The UKRI GCRF One Ocean Hub comprises more than 50 partners, including world-leading research centres, development organisations, community representatives, governments and multiple UN agencies.
Led by the University of Strathclyde, it brings together individuals, groups and organisations that rely on our oceans to realise a vision of an integrated and sustainable approach to managing their use.
A key priority will be to ensure the knowledge, experiences and rights of those most reliant upon the oceans are recognised, and that future decision-making is based on evidence of risks and opportunities among competing ocean uses.
The University’s involvement in the programme builds on its existing expertise in areas such as marine protected area design, marine habitat mapping, deep sea mining and the biomedical potential of marine organisms.
Dr Kerry Howell, Associate Professor of Marine Ecology, will be working with Dr Kerry Sink, from the South African National Biodiversity Institute, to co-lead a £4 million research programme focussed on offshore (non-fisheries) marine resources.
Senior Research Fellow Dr Sian Rees will also be co-leading a work package, exploring transformative governance as a means for creating an inclusive, innovative and responsible blue society.
The programme also involves Professor of Marine Ecology Martin Attrill, and Professor in Medical Microbiology Mathew Upton.
The work will initially be focussed on the South East Atlantic, but over the five years will be expanded to include new research collaborations with partners in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
