The next MARS Directors meeting will be held at HCMR, Crete, November 27th to the 29th 2018. MARS has been bringing together marine stations and institute directors for over two decades (since 1995) and in 2017 MARS members supported the development of a new strategy. The MARS strategy entitled, “A new Strategy for MARS: Supporting a Decade of Marine Science in Europe and Beyond”, was developed in the context of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The draft of this strategy is now available for discussion at the meeting along with ideas on its implementation.
In addition, there will also be important discussions on – the World Association of Marine Stations (WAMS); – general science and policy updates; and – models of sustainability for marine stations and institutes; – as well as the chance to network with directors from across Europe and beyond.
For more information, please contact the secretariat.
4th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity May 13-16, 2018 Palais des Congrès Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Keynote Speakers
We are pleased to announce the schedule for our 3 keynotes presentations: • Monday, May 14th: Dr. Linwood Pendleton, Global Ocean Lead Scientist at the World Wide Fund for Nature. • Tuesday, May 15th: Professor Emma Johnston, Dean of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. • Wednesday, May 16th : Dr. Amanda Bates, University Research Associate Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Exhibitors List
The 4th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity is glad to announce the participation of several exhibitors present at the Montreal congress. To access the list, click here.
“North Atlantic VMEs, EBSAs and MPAs in a changing ocean”
Join the 1-day symposium titled “North Atlantic VMEs, EBSAs and MPAs in a changing ocean”, which will be held in Montreal on May 12th 2018, just before the opening of the 4th WCMB, as part of the EU-funded ATLAS project. Program details are available on the website. More details related to the program will be available shortly. Stay tuned! Registration is free but spaces are limited! Registration deadline is April 30th 2018. For more information and to register, please contact Dr Vikki Gunn (vikki.gunn@seascapeconsultants.co.uk)
Thank you to our sponsors.
The 4th World Conference is active on social media! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! Be a part of the conversation and be the first to get the last news. For more information contact the 4th WCMB Secretariat at: wcmb2018secretariat@jpdl.com or +1-514-287-9898 ext. 334.
Source: MARINE-B, the MArine Research Information NEtwork on Biodiversity
From 17 till 21 September 2018, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and LifeWatch Belgium will be organizing the 53rd edition of the European Marine Biology Symposium (EMBS53) in Ostend, Belgium.
More information: www.embs53.org. Don’t hesitate to share this event with your network. Thank you.
Leen Vandepitte On behalf of the EMBS53 Organizing Committee
EMBS53 is organized by Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and LifeWatch Belgium
The EU Horizon 2020 project MERCES (Marine Ecosystem Restoration in Changing European Seas) (http://www.merces-project.eu/) is holding a webinar on ‘Getting Better Value from Our Coasts’ at 15.00h Central European Time on Thursday 15 February. Further details can be found at https://news.grida.no/getting-better-value-from-our-coasts. Pre-registration is required.
Valuing Multiple Eelgrass Ecosystem Services in Sweden: Fish Production and Uptake of Carbon and Nitrogen
Dr Scott Cole, EnviroEconomics Sweden Consultancy, Gothenburg and Dr Per-Olav Moksnes, University of Gothenburg
Eelgrass meadows create several important ecosystem functions, which in turn provide society with important ecosystem goods and services. Along the Swedish northwest coast, more than 60 %, approximately 12 500 ha, of the eelgrass beds have vanished since the 1980s as a result of coastal eutrophication and overfishing. How can we value the many different benefits of eelgrass beds and what have we lost? Scott Cole, an environmental economist, will discuss a three-year research project that developed an interdisciplinary framework for estimating the monetary value associated with multiple ecosystem services provided by eelgrass meadows and how the consideration of multiple benefits in the coastal zone leads to better management decisions.
Using 3D Computer graphics to convey restoration goals to decision makers and the general public.
Professor Johan van der Koppel, Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)
In this session, Johan van de Koppel will outline a new technique for presenting the projected outcome of nature restoration and compensation projects using a combination of ecological models and 3D visualization techniques. Using ecological simulation models, we predict the way in which ecosystems might evolve following restoration measures. This is then used as the basis for 3D Computer Graphics techniques that can build photo-realistic representations of what ecosystems may look like following restoration. These representations, in photo, video, or virtual reality formats, can be used the convince decision makers and the general audience of the value of ecosystem restoration and how they might be used for habitat compensation planning in the coastal zone.
We hope you and your colleagues will be able to join us.
Source: MARINE-B, the MArine Research Information NEtwork on Biodiversity
Tracing human interactions with marine ecosystems through deep time: implications for policy and management
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) & the German Maritime Museum, Bremerhaven, Germany: 22th to 26th October 2018 More information: http://oceanspast.org/oceanspastvii.html Official Conference Website: www.awi.de/conferences/opp7
The International Research Group on Ostracoda, together with the Society of Friends of IRGO, is happy to support the participation of two young researchers at the 5th International Palaeontological Conference (July 9-13, 2018) in Paris, France https://ipc5.sciencesconf.org/
Two travel awards of 1000 Euro each will be awarded to Master or Ph.D. students who will present their research (oral or poster) at the IPC 5. It is expected that Ostracoda will play a key role in their presentation. Contributions from all disciplines and geological times are welcome.
Applicants should include a short cover letter (detailing the status of the project, and the planned format of the contribution), a short CV, and a scientific abstract of their talk/poster.
Applications should be submitted as a PDF before January 31, 2018, to the chair of SF*IRGO, Dr Renate Matzke-Karasz (matzke-karasz@lmu.de). All applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the members of the advisory board of SF*IRGO.
Acknowledgements: These grants wouldn’t have been possible without the financial support of many of you to SF*IRGO. Thank you all! Special thanks go to the voluntary instructors of the European School on Ostracoda, as well as to Elisabeth (Lotte) Kempf and Dr. Anton Waltschew for their major donations.
Looking forward to receiving many applications!
Cheers, Renate Matzke-Karasz
[MJC] IRGO and SF*IRGO: www.ostracoda.net ___________________________ PD Dr. Renate Matzke-Karasz Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences GeoBio-Center LMU Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen
Source: MARINE-B, the MArine Research Information NEtwork on Biodiversity
Venue: De Grote Post @ Ostend, Belgium Date: 17-21 September 2018 Local organisation: VLIZ
THEMES
– SCIENCE FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE – SCIENCE IN A MODERN ERA – CITIZEN SCIENCE – SCIENCE IN THE NORTH SEA – GENERAL SESSION
REGISTRATION & ABSTRACT
Submission opened: January 15, 2018 Deadline abstract submission: April 15, 2018 (no extension) Notification on abstract acceptance: May 15, 2018 Deadline early bird registration: May 31, 2018 Deadline late registration: August 31, 2018 EMBS53: September 17-21, 2018
Abstract submission deadline has been extended until 1st December 2017. Early submissions are very welcome. The website will be updated to reflect this soon.
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May 13-16, 2018, Palais des Congrès, Montreal, Quebec
The World Conference on Marine Biodiversity (WCMB) has become the major focal assembly to share research outcomes, management and policy issues, and discussions on the role of biodiversity in sustaining ocean ecosystems. This meeting will bring together scientists, practitioners, and policy makers to discuss and advance our understanding of the importance and current state of biodiversity in the marine environment. Through a mix of keynote sessions and contributed talks the conference program will address marine biodiversity across a deliberately wide range of relevant sectors. Participation will be encouraged from the broadest possible range of stakeholder groups from academics to industry.
CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES 1. Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society; 2. Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use; 3. To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity; 4. Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services and; 5. Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building.
The 4th WCMB will ‘connect’ scientists with decision and policy makers, NGOs and industry in order to: – Review current knowledge of marine biodiversity and its role in marine ecosystem function and services; – Assess past, present, and future critical threats to marine systems and consider management strategies; – Encourage inter-disciplinary discussions among researchers, policy makers, NGOs and industry; – Discuss sustainable development in the context of biodiversity; – Identify future research and policy priorities
Within specific conferences themes broad areas of current marine biodiversity research and policy challenges will be covered, as well as the five strategic ‘Aichi’ goals described above. The Scientific Committee will build a program over the next year that will incorporate emerging issues and identify invited keynote speakers to review the state-of-the-art of some of the specific themes.
The Carlo Heip Award in Marine Biodiversity was developed in recognition of Carlo Heip’s leadership in marine biodiversity research and founding of the World Conference of Marine Biodiversity. We seek nominations of individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in marine biodiversity science.
Nomination Information
The 2018 award nomination cycle will begin on 1st March 2017 and close on 1st September 2017.
Self-nominations are excluded. The nominator must ensure the nominee has approved to be nominated and the requirement to attend to WCMB.
The award recipient will be expected to present a plenary talk at the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity in Montreal in May 2018. The recipient may choose the topic of the talk. The presentation of the award will take place in conjunction with the talk. The conference will cover the recipients travel to and from the conference, accommodation, and complimentary conference registration. Thus nominations must only be of people available to attend the WCMB.
The recipient of the 2018 Carlo Heip Award will be chosen and notified in November 2017.
Nominations should address these three evaluation criteria:
Research impact. This may be supported by a list of selected top or all publications or link to Google Scholar profile.
Peer recognition. This may be supported by indicators such as awards, honours, funding, and speaking invitations.
Service. This may be supported by evidence such as meetings organised, teaching, leadership, editorial responsibilities, mentorship, public outreach.
Nominations should be submitted to m.costello@auckland.ac.nz by 1st September 2017. A sub-committee of the International Association of Biological Oceanography (IABO) will act as the jury for nominations.
Submission Documents
Nomination letter, responding to the three evaluation criteria within two pages and confirming the nominee is willing to attend WCMB IV.
Nominee curriculum vitae documenting evidence in support of the criteria. This may include links to supporting materials.
A nomination may include up to three letters of no more than one page each that provide additional support for the nomination. These are optional.
Polar Algae – exploiting cold tolerant phenotypes in polar algae for increased growth and metabolite production
– Deadline by midnight Sunday 18th June 2017 –
– UK NERC-funded Studentship –
NB: VERY SHORT DEADLINE: Applications to Melody Clark by midnight Sunday 18th June Interviews will take place either end of the week of 19th June or early in the week starting 26th June. Studentship must be confirmed by 30th June.
Application procedure: please supply a letter of motivation, CV and two contacts for references to mscl@bas.ac.uk. Lead Supervisor: Professor Melody Clark, British Antarctic Survey, mscl@bas.ac.uk Co-Supervisor(s): Dr Matthew Davey, Department of Plant Sciences, mpd39@cam.ac.uk Professor Alison Smith, Department of Plant Sciences, as25@cam.ac.uk
Requirements: – BSc and/or Masters in a biological (marine or plant preferred) or biochemical discipline. – Ability to travel and work abroad for 3-6 months industrial placement and also spend time in Oban, Scotland for training in algal culture and preservation techniques. – If CASS application is successful for Antarctic fieldwork, the student will need to pass a BAS medical.
The project has three major aims: 1: to characterise growth and metabolic traits in polar marine algae. 2: to collaborate with industry to screen for large scale biomass production. 3: to understand the intra-specific variation between the native populations of key polar diatoms Read more »
mars@nioz.nl 
-31-113-577484 (577300) 
