Navigating the Waves: Lenfest at the World Fisheries Congress
In early March, the Lenfest Ocean Program (LOP) attended the Ninth World Fisheries Congress (WFC), in Seattle, Washington. The conference offered a platform for scientists, managers, industry representatives, community experts, and Tribal leaders to convene and exchange insights around the conference theme of “Fish and Fisheries at the Food-Water-Energy Nexus.” Throughout the conference, participants had discussions encompassing the multi-faceted realm of fisheries sustainability, aquatic ecosystems, societal impacts, and innovative approaches.
With the many projects LOP supports around climate-resilient fisheries and ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM), as well as a swath of grantees attending, the team's participation was crucial. At WFC, the Lenfest Ocean Program had the privilege of highlighting its funded work through a series of sessions and events including an all-day symposium for operationalizing EBFM, the launch of a major Executive Summary, an expert panel to discuss case studies for adapting fisheries to climate change, and a spirited happy hour with grantees and conference attendees. The team was also delighted to witness over 20 current and former LOP grantees deliver compelling presentations around their work.
A Week at the World Fisheries Congress
On Monday, March 4, much of the morning was spent setting up the team's booth in the Exhibit Hall, where LOP projects were shown off in the form of fact sheets, the new Executive Summary, and Lenfest Ocean Program temporary tattoos.
The Congress officially commenced with a welcoming plenary session followed by a day filled with diverse talks covering topics from migratory barriers to biochemical considerations, illegal fishing to behavioral ecology, and plastic pollution to hydropower, showcasing a remarkable breadth of knowledge and expertise that set an inspiring tone for the week ahead.
Kicking off day one, LOP hosted a session co-organized by Senior Officer, Jason Landrum, Director, Charlotte Hudson, Beth Fulton (CSIRO), and Keith Sainsbury (University of Tasmania), focusing on "Operationalizing Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) Through Inclusive Research, Engagement, and Partnerships." The session featured 14 talks and a panel discussion where experts and stakeholders from various regions and management contexts deliberated on the successes and challenges of EBFM implementation, underlining the critical need for enhanced collaboration between scientists and decision-makers to advance EBFM principles globally.
Moreover, the session marked the release of the Executive Summary, “Moving from A to B: Guidelines for Practical Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management.” This report details the five-year endeavor led by Drs. Fulton and Sainsbury, which identified and tested ecosystem indicators, culminating in the development of the Ecosystem Traits Index (ETI). This index serves as a practical tool to assess ecosystem health and guide EBFM efforts worldwide, offering much-needed clarity and guidance for stakeholders navigating the transition towards comprehensive EBFM practices.
Tuesday, March 5th marked yet another dynamic day filled with insightful talks from experts, followed by lunch shared with some of the LOP grantees, and an interactive poster session. The day commenced with a lively LOP Happy Hour hosted at a local bar, The Pine Box. As the Lenfest Ocean Program celebrates over two decades of impactful work, having funded more than 125 research projects and supported 12 task forces and expert working groups, this occasion marked a significant milestone as it brought together the entire team and many of the grantees for the first time in person. The Happy Hour proved to be a huge hit, drawing in over 200 attendees and fostering meaningful connections throughout the night.
On Wednesday, March 6th LOP held a session entitled “Crafting Usable Science to Inform Fisheries Decision-Making in a Changing Climate – Lessons from the Science-Policy Interface” organized by Principal Associate, Kayla Ripple and Senior Officer, Sarah Close. In this session, a panel of expert researchers including, Yunzhou Li (Stony Brook University), Phil Levin (University of Washington), Brandon Muffley (Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council), Abigail Golden (University of Washington), and Stephanie Green (University of Alberta) discussed the multifaceted challenges of climate-driven impacts on marine species. Emphasizing the need for tailored information developed in collaboration with fisheries managers and stakeholders, the panel explored methods and experiences aimed at understanding, predicting, and addressing solutions for these impacts, positioning research outcomes for maximum impact.
As the sessions came to a close on Thursday March 7th, the day dedicated to wrapping up the booth and attending final presentations from both grantees and colleagues. Engaging in some final networking opportunities, the LOP team reflected on key takeaways from the congress, recognizing the importance of continued collaboration and innovation in advancing fisheries science and management. Looking ahead, LOP is energized by the momentum gained and remains committed to supporting impactful research initiatives that contribute to the sustainable stewardship of our oceans.
To dive deeper into the work LOP funds and stay updated on its latest initiatives, visit our website, sign up for the monthly newsletter, and connect with the team on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
