The Marine Management Area Science (MMAS) Program was awarded Conservation International's 2011 “Head in the Sky” award, which recognizes a global-level initiative profoundly influencing conservation. In our case, the 6 years of studies in 23 countries working with over 400 scientists and producing over 70 peer reviewed publications demonstrated the benefits and challenges of marine conservation to biodiversity and human well-being influencing the establishment of marine protected areas in Fiji, Brazil, Belize, Panama, Ecuador, and Kiribati. Click the link above to view this award-winning video, which explains the MMAS program and features a guest star appearance by Sylvia Earle!
Marine Managed Areas: A Case Study in Fiji - Healthy Reef, Plenty Fish, Happy People Eighty percent of Fiji's people live on the coast and rely heavily on marine resources for their livelihoods. With the increasing population and demand for these resources, Fiji's marine environment continues to be threatened by overfishing. The adoption of marine managed areas in local communities is now helping them to address this problem.
Field Chronicles: Abrolhos This episode of Field Chronicles covers the expansion of marine protected areas in Abrolhos, Brazil, home of the
greatest concentration of marine life in the South Atlantic.
Ocean of Truth The ocean makes life on Earth possible, and it needs our help. Most people don't realize the long list of benefits the ocean provides us, nor how much we are connected and dependent on it. Just to name a few things; the ocean produces 70 to 80% of the oxygen we breath, generates $21 trillion in ecosystem services each year, and provides the main source of protein for 1/4 of the world's population. And these are just a few of the amazing functions it offers this planet's 6+billion people. In the past 50 years the health of the ocean has declined dramatically due to the major 5. That's right, the major 5, There are five serious threats that are causing this havoc; over fishing, pollution, invasive species, habitat destruction, and climate change. Actions must be taken to address these problems in order for the ocean to recover and become healthy once again. Come explore the ocean with us and find out how you can help.
MOKUSSUY: Importance of Marine Managed Areas in Abrolhos, Brazil Part 1 and Part 2 The Cine Clube of Caravelas and a local artists' association, Arte Manha, produced "MOKUSSUY" with support from Conservation International. The two-part video tells the story of conservation in the Abrolhos marine area, focusing specifically on the extractive reserves that Conservation International has helped put into place. These extractive reserves are multiple-use areas where people can fish and collect other marine life, but they are subject to management rules designed to sustainably conserve the resources.
Someday is NOW! The Mesoamerican Reef is Belize's crown jewel and a major economic engine for the country. As the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, it provides this Central American nation with thriving lobster, conch and reef fish fisheries, a strong cultural icon, and a magnet for hundreds of thousands of tourists who come each year to enjoy its outstanding diving, snorkeling and fishing opportunities. This incredible resource is in peril. Unplanned development of coastal areas, including dredging and filling of critical mangrove forests, contamination, and overfishing, all threaten the reef and Belizean livelihoods. In Someday is NOW!, the people of Belize speak out, demanding a coastal zone management plan and a responsible path for development.
Microdocs Brief videos provide an overview of scientific findings related to conservation of coral reefs.
