The Women in Ocean Science Award (WIOSA) seeks to recognize outstanding early-career and mid-career scholars who are advancing the frontiers of marine science and are becoming world-leading professionals. The Central Caribbean Marine Institute’s (CCMI) President and CEO, Dr Carrie Manfrino, and the WIOSA Advisory Council are pleased to announce the first WIOSA scholar, Dr Sarah Gignoux-Wolfsohn, who is studying the effects of bivalve community diversity on the distribution of pathogens and related microbial communities at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre. 

Dr. Manfrino founded CCMI in 1998, and developed the Little Cayman Research Centre while she was an assistant professor in oceanography in the US. She established the award last year stating, “whilst progress has been made over the last 30 years in terms of women’s representation within the scientific community, the discipline of ocean science remains hugely unequal in terms of women entering at professional levels vs their progression to key positions within academia. WIOSA seeks to create a network and mentorship for researchers and interns who will collectively help find solutions to some of the greatest questions facing the ocean and our society today. What was remarkable in the applications was that many of the challenges I had 30 years ago when I was a graduate student and over the last 25 years as a professional have unfortunately not changed.”

Dr. Gignoux-Wolfsohn’s winning application, which was selected by the WIOSA panel that includes Dr. Carrie Manfrino, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Dr. Amy Apprill, Dr. Christine Ferrier-Pages, Dr. Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley and Dr. Hollie Putnum, outlined a project to examine the effects of coral reef community diversity on coral health. Dr. Gignoux-Wolfsohn, as the first WIOSA scholar, has set a high bar.

She said, “I am very excited to be the first recipient of the WIOSA. I am honoured to have been chosen by the amazing scientists at CCMI and WIOSA advisors. I am looking forward to contributing to the amazing woman-led research programmes at CCMI and to help mentor the next generation of female scientists. This award will greatly advance my research programme, integrating theory and ideas from other systems with my PhD work on coral health and disease. Infectious disease is one of the greatest threats to corals and the coral reef ecosystems they build. By testing methods to improve the resilience of coral communities, my work at CCMI will advance our understanding of community ecology, disease, and microbial community composition with implications for coral restoration and the creation of resilient coral reefs.”

Dr Gignoux-Wolfsohn was chosen for the WIOSA Scholarship through a competitive application process that included applicants from more than 10 countries and some of the best research labs in the world. Dr Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley, Director of Research and Distinguished Scientist at CCMI, has been impressed by the range and calibre of applicants, resulting in Dr Gignoux-Wolfsohn being identified as the winning scholar stating, “We are thrilled to be giving the first WIOSA Scholar to Dr Gignoux-Wolfsohn. She is a shining example of productivity in the face of hardship; with an excellent publication record and strong determination, she is sure to become a leader in ocean science. Her focus on coral disease transmission is timely and relevant, and it perfectly complements the current research programmes at CCMI. We are excited to begin a long-lasting collaboration with her.”The WIOSA internships will also soon be announced, with an equally impressive number of excellent applications currently being assessed by the panel. CCMI would like to thank Brian Melito and Jessica Colker Trust for supporting this programme.

ABOUT WIOSA

WIOSA supports the advancement of women in ocean sciences, so participants can become world-leading professionals. By establishing a network and providing mentorship, funding, and field access for a cohort of WIOSA coming through the ranks, this program seeks to push the frontiers of science and to support a generation of leading women ocean scientists who want to work on crucial topics related to coral reefs and tropical ecosystems. The WIOSA program will directly impact researchers and interns who will collectively help find solutions to some of the greatest questions facing the ocean and our society today. WIOS is made possible by the support from the Brian Melito and Jessica Colker Trust.

ABOUT CCMI

CCMI is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1998 to protect the future of coral reefs, envisioning a world with vibrant oceans and healthy coral reef ecosystems. We seek to be the Caribbean’s premier marine research institute by delivering cutting edge research, transforming conservation strategy and developing education programmes of excellence – discovering and promoting real solutions to declining ocean health. Our plan is to invigorate key species and understand key ocean processes that drive reef resilience. We support early career scientists who are INNOVATING ways to improve coral reef health. We are TRANSFORMING conservation strategy and work to inspire the CHANGE that is needed to achieve our mission. CCMI are PIONEERS in the region working to reverse the declines of coral reefs.

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FEATURE DESTINATION: Bringing the very best of a South Africa safari experience live to your homes

Imagine yourself on safari at Ulusaba. In the soft evening light your ranger catches sight of a leopard resting in a tree, you reach for your camera and capture the most mesmerising shot. We are thrilled to announce our new Photography Package at Ulusaba which is for both amateurs and professionals and led by our team of rangers and trackers. Read more…

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Reef-World Launches New Guidelines for Conducting Environmentally Friendly Cleanups

The Reef-World Foundation – the international coordinator of the UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins initiative – has launched new Green Fins cleanup guidelines to help dive and snorkel operators organise and host environmentally friendly coastal cleanups. Read more…

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Green Fins Global Hub development and launch of Green Fins Costa Rica Enabled by IDB Support

The Reef-World Foundation – the international coordinator of the UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins initiative – is thrilled to announce its Green Fins Global Hub proposal has been selected for project design under IDB Lab’s Beyond Tourism Challenge. This funding enables Reef-World to begin full development of the much-anticipated Green Fins Global Hub. Read more…

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Brave Blue World: A Brilliant New Future For Water Explored In Upcoming Global Documentary

“It’s a great film. We all need to see it,” says Liam Neeson. “Every school and every college needs to see it. Every kid has heard of climate change; the film deeply connects with this. It makes water local – something so many of us take for granted.” Read more…

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Greenpeace Report Exposes Fishmeal & Fish Oil (FMFO) Industry’s Systemic Plundering of The Oceans

While governments in Senegal, Mauritania and The Gambia have been carrying out emergency food distributions to local communities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Greenpeace report exposes how the same governments continue to enable systematic plunder of the oceans by foreign fishing vessels and the Fishmeal and Fish Oil (FMFO) industry. Read more…

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New photography package launched at South Africa Reserve

Explore the African bush in a truly unique way on a photographic safari at Ulusaba Private Game Reserve. Aimed at both amateur and experienced photographers, these new safaris will be led by Ulusaba’s professional rangers and trackers who are trained to help guests spot Africa’s incredible wildlife, as well as sharing their own extensive photographic expertise. Read more…

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Photo Series at Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa

Sir Richard Branson’s Private Safari Game Reserve is one of the most breath-taking safari lodges in the Sabi Sand Reserve. Today safari isn’t just about the thrill of a game drive, it is very much about education and long-term conservation and nothing is more important to the Rangers and Guides at Ulusaba. Read more…

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The Ppiny Devilfish – Photo taken in Indonesia – Jack’s December Underwater Photograph

The spiny devilfish is the cousin of the stonefish and this is one spooky family!! They lay buried in the sand using camouflage for stealth ambush attacks. This fish also goes by the name of Indian Ocean Walkman because it very rarely swims, instead it ‘walks’ on spiny looking pectoral “legs”. Read more…

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Miami Based Apparel Company Wins Green/Sustainable Business of the Year

Waterlust, an apparel company dedicated to marine science advocacy, has been named “Green/Sustainable Business” of the year by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The recognition was announced at the Chamber’s Dream  Big Awards Ceremony, an annual event celebrating the achievements of small businesses and honouring their contributions to the US economy. Read more…

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New Blue Park & Blue Sparks Join the Growing Network of Highest Quality Marine Protected Areas

Marine Conservation Institute and its international panel of marine science advisors today announced Abrolhos National Marine Park has been designated as the newest Blue Park for achieving the highest science-based standards for marine life protection and management. Read more…

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FEATURE DESTINATION: Dig deep for a good cause at Ulusaba

Pride ‘n Purpose as a charitable arm if Virgin Limited Edition committed to helping disadvantaged communities living adjacent to the Sabi Sand Reserve. Originally established in 2003 by members of the Ulusaba family, all the charity’s running expenses are covered by Virgin Limited Edition and Virgin Unite, the Virgin Group’s non-profit foundation. 100% of donations go directly toward much-needed projects. Read more…

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE for 2020

We hope our annual holiday gift guide can help ease a bit of the burden of 2020. If you can’t even begin to think of gift ideas for the people on your list, we’ve got you covered. See more…

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Children’s Hospital Hosts Nature’s Best Photography Wildlife Exhibit with Support from African Wildlife Foundation

When we first think of cowboys, we likely jump to images of the American west, felt hats, spurs, and well-worn boots. While these visions certainly rustle up adventures and traditions both dreamy and harrowing, another less obvious cowboy carries through American history as well. Read more…

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Imperfectly Vegan Campaign Launches

The Los Angeles-based non-profit Habits of Waste (HoW), uses a sociological approach to combat climate change. A University of Michigan-published study demonstrates the profound effect that reducing animal protein intake can have on an individual’s carbon footprint. Read more…

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Enter to Win $15,000: BoatUS Foundation and Berkley Recast & Recycle Contest

Have you ever wondered how old, discarded fishing line is recycled and reused? You may be surprised to learn that turning the fishing line into new products is labour intensive, requiring a series of workers to comb through, sort, clean, remove hooks and weights and separate out miles of encrusted debris in entangled fishing line. Read more…

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Biodiversity is The Most Effective Vaccine

Sharks contain a molecule called squalene that may help produce a vaccine against the coronavirus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic – by eliciting a stronger immune response in humans. Producing one of these vaccines to inoculate everyone on the planet once could take the lives of a quarter-million sharks. Read more…

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The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List

Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.

To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here. 

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here. 

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Marine Conservation Institute and its international panel of marine science advisors today announced Abrolhos National Marine Park has been designated as the newest Blue Park for achieving the highest science-based standards for marine life protection and management. Abrolhos joins a growing network of 16 Blue Parks around the world designed to protect and regenerate our oceans biodiversity. 

Abrolhos (Parque Nacional Marinho dos Abrolhos) is a marine protected area (MPA) in a hotspot for marine wildlife located off the central coast of Brazil. It is home to diverse endemic coral species, the largest South Atlantic breeding population of humpback whales, and at least three threatened sea turtle species. In addition to its unique coral reef ecosystem, the park protects mangroves and other important coastal habitats around offshore islands.

A total of 17 MPAs around the world now hold the prestigious Blue Park Award for meeting the highest science-based standards for marine life protection and management. The Blue Park Award recognizes outstanding efforts by nations, nonprofits, MPA managers, and local stake-holders to effectively protect marine ecosystems now and into the future. The award is given to recognize these astonishing places and their vibrant marine life. It is also intended to motivate other nations to strive for strong and effective MPAs that conserve marine wildlife. Blue Park Awards support international progress towards the Convention on Biological Diversity Aichi Target 11, UN Sustainable Development Goal 14, and the longer-term goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.

Marine Conservation Institute announced 6 Blue Spark collaborations as well, bringing the total number of sites in the Blue Parks network to 23. These six MPAs—Cabo Pulmo (Mexico), California Seamounts (US), Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (US), Inhambane Bay Community Conservation Network (Mozambique), Namancurá-Burdwood Bank II & Yaganes (Argentina), and Piedra del Viento Sanctuary (Chile)—all reflect significant political and civic interest in improving their marine protections and are on track for becoming tomorrow’s Blue Parks. Marine Conservation Institute collaborates with Blue Spark partners to plan and improve their MPAs, using Blue Parks criteria as the blueprints for a better protected ocean.

Lance Morgan, President of Marine Conservation Institute, said about the awards, “We are excited to see new Blue Park and Blue Spark designations accelerating the protection of the most important places in our oceans.  Our rigorous science-based criteria and a panel of esteemed marine scientists are key to vetting nominees and ensuring that these MPAs provide essential examples of effective regulations and management that provide healthier oceans for us and for marine life around the world.”

Fernando P.M. Repinaldo Filho, Head of Abrolhos Marine National Park, said, “The Ocean drives global ecosystems that make the Earth habitable for all species. For the last 37 years and counting, the Abrolhos Marine National Park staff has worked hard to ensure the protection of a unique and critical area within Brazilian waters. Now, it is an honor to receive the Blue Park Award in recognition of this effort, representing a big step to improve our effectiveness, promote management actions that secure our invaluable resources, and engage the society with the marine conservation cause.”

The six Blue Sparks announced today will become eligible for Blue Park Awards as they mature and develop effective regulations, management, and enforcement. Marine Conservation Institute will help them along the journey.

Sarah Hameed, Senior Scientist and Director of the Blue Parks Program said, “I look forward to working closely with our extraordinary Blue Spark partners to achieve new Blue Parks. Individually, Blue Parks and Blue Sparks protect truly unique places, and together they will help safeguard life in the sea.”

About Blue Parks

Marine Conservation Institute works with existing and new MPAs to ensure they are well- designed, effectively managed, protect our oceans and deliver on their commitment to protect marine biodiversity for generations to come. These Blue Spark collaborations will earn Blue Park Awards, the highest award for excellence in marine conservation, once they are fully implemented and effectively managed.

Blue Park Awards were established by the Marine Conservation Institute to encourage governments to safeguard marine wildlife, secure critical habitats, promote resistance to climate change, and ensure the beauty of our oceans for future generations. The effort aims to assemble an effective network that protects and sustains marine life and habitats globally. Today there are 17 marine protected areas that have been awarded Blue Park status. In addition to awarding a new Blue Park today, Marine Conservation Institute has launched collaborations –Blue Sparks–with groups planning new marine protected areas and upgrading existing marine protected areas in the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Mozambique to ensure their efforts result in future Blue Parks.

About Marine Conservation Institute

Marine Conservation Institute, founded in 1996, works in the U.S. and globally to seek strong protection for at least 30% of the ocean by 2030—for us and future generations. Our focus on protecting the ocean’s most important places follows several lines of work: identifying and advocating for strong marine protected areas; improving laws and other tools to better conserve marine biodiversity; catalyzing effective conservation by recognizing and elevating the best marine protected areas as Blue Parks, and accurately reporting on global conservation efforts with our Marine Protection Atlas (MPAtlas.org).

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