International workshops bridging the gap between ocean acidification impacts and economic valuation
Although many uncertainties remain, ocean acidification will likely have important effects on marine ecosystems and coastal economies world-wide. The best available scientific information on ocean acidification must be used by stakeholders to make decisions aimed at improving human society and the deteriorated condition of the ocean environment. Without the reversal of the source of the physical phenomenon, namely anthropogenic CO2 emissions, societal impacts of ocean acidification will require adaptation and forward planning in the ways living ocean resources are harvested and used.
In response to recommendations of several policy briefs, including the Monaco Declaration signed by 155 scientists in 2008, an effort to bridge the gap between ocean acidification impacts and economic valuation was jointly initiated in 2010 by the Agency and the Centre Scientifique de Monaco.
A first international workshop, organized in November 2010, provided an opening venue for natural scientists and economists to introduce their perspectives on the topic of ocean acidification and to build solid linkages between these two communities. The outputs of the meeting were a baseline of scientific and economic information, integration of the language and concepts of different research methodologies, and publication of conclusions and recommendations related to the anticipated impacts of ocean acidification on ecosystems and ecosystem services.
|55 experts participated in the second international workshop on the economics of ocean acidification in Monaco from 11 to 13 November 2012.|
A second workshop took place 11-13 November 2012 and aimed at providing policymakers with recommendations to prepare for social and economic impacts of ocean acidification on livelihoods, trade and food supply from ocean resources. This workshop focused on fisheries and aquaculture, and regional aspects of species vulnerability and socio-economic adaptation. The workshop brought together 55 natural and economic scientists in an attempt to provide policymakers with recommendations for regional priorities in fisheries and aquaculture. The workshop started with talks on four main topics:
- ocean acidification status of knowledge (Jean-Pierre Gattuso);
- anticipated biological and ecological effects (Manuel Barange);
- status of fisheries and aquaculture and anticipated changes (Kieran Kelleher);
- economic impacts and human adaptation measures in fisheries and aquaculture (Cassandra de Young).
Results of the meeting are expected to give rise to a special report on regional aspects of ocean fisheries and the possible impacts of ocean acidification on coastal ecology and human economy. A brochure with conclusions and recommendations was produced and is available for download here.