Following the adoption of the United Nations Agenda 2030, together with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the planet, the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) is pleased to invite you to the 10th WESTPAC International Scientific Conference entitled “Advancing Ocean Knowledge, Fostering Sustainable Development: from the Indo-Pacific to the Globe” in Qingdao, China, 17-20 April 2017. This Conference will offer an essential opportunity in the region for marine scientists, ocean institutions and their countries to advance marine scientific knowledge, catalyze multi- and cross-disciplinary collaborations with a view to addressing challenges that countries in this region are facing, including these in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the dedicated Goal 14 for the ocean: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Session title: “Ocean Acidification and its Impacts on Marine Ecosystems”
Session description: The Western Pacific is among the richest in marine biodiversity in the world, and provides essential ecosystem services, such as food security, livelihoods, and coastal protection to the region and beyond. Climate change is a major concern, especially its impacts on the marine environment through ocean acidification and warming. The recent UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 also stressed the need to “minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels”. Since 2014, WESTPAC, through its SEAGOOS, has initiated symposium, trainings, workshops on ocean acidification across the region. The session will invite presentations on ecosystem responses to ocean acidification, an understanding of which is critically needed to develop meaningful projections on future impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems, especially on coral reefs. This will enable resource managers and policy makers to develop effective long-term mitigation and adaptation strategies in the region, Experts and young scientists who are interested in ocean acidification will have an opportunity to share scientific findings and exchange knowledge.
Co-convenors:
Somkiat Khokiattiwong, skhokiattiwong(at)gmail.com
Phuket Marine Biological Center, DMCR, Thailand
Russell E. Brainard, rusty.brainard(at)noaa.gov
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, USA
Maria Lourdes San Diego-McGlone, malou_mcglone(at)yahoo.com
Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Philippines
