Course I (30 October – 3 November): Introduction to Ocean Acidification Monitoring and Research
Course II (6 November – 10 November): Applied Ocean Acidification Monitoring and Research Techniques
Host institute: University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji
Overview
These courses are part of a broad effort by The Ocean Foundation, through its International Ocean Acidification Initiative, to expand the capacity of scientists and resource managers around the world to monitor, understand, and respond to ocean acidification in their region. The Ocean Foundation’s work is supported by the partners listed above and is coordinated closely with the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON). We invite interested participants to apply for one or both courses described here.
The courses advertised here are meant for those who have the skills and interest in implementing monitoring programs. Though we have specified educational and occupational requirements for participants, our primary goal is to ensure that stakeholders from the Pacific Islands have access to information about how ocean acidification might affect them locally. Therefore, if you do not meet the educational or occupational requirements listed for the courses below, please contact Alexis Valauri-Orton at avalauriorton@oceanfdn.org to discuss how you might be able to participate.
Related to these workshops, The Ocean Foundation is coordinating blue carbon restoration in Fiji with support from the U.S. Department of State. The goal of this restoration is to create critical habitat, a carbon sink, and to test the ability of blue carbon to reduce the threat of ocean acidification at a local level. Selected scientists who participate in Courses I and II will receive stipends to allow them to conduct pre-restoration, during restoration, and post-restoration monitoring of the water chemistry.
In addition to the two courses advertised here, The Ocean Foundation will host a separate meeting for policy makers, environmental resource managers and other stakeholders to discuss the potential ecological, social, and economic impacts of ocean acidification on their countries. Stakeholders at this meeting will also discuss examples of legislation that policy makers around the world have implemented to help their regions adapt and respond to ocean acidification, and how those examples might be adapted to fit local legal structures and needs. Although it is a separate initiative, this meeting will coincide with Course I and will be located in Suva, Fiji. This meeting will be open to all countries in the South Pacific. Some financial assistance will be available.
Organizers: The Ocean Foundation, The US Department of State, The Swedish International Development Agency, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, The Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON), The X-PRIZE Foundation, The IAEA Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre, The Commonwealth Marine Economies (CME) Programme
Support: These courses are supported by the United States Department of State, The Swedish International Development Agency, The X-PRIZE Foundation, and the Commonwealth Marine Economies (CME) Programme
Contact point: Alexis Valauri-Orton, The Ocean Foundation, Washington, DC, Tel: +1 202-887-8996 x117, E-mail: avalauriorton(at)oceanfdn.org
Please consult the flyer for detailed description of the courses, eligibility and requirements, and the application procedure.
