UN Ocean Decade: The science we need for the healthy fjords we want

This event is an official UN Ocean Decade Satellite Event and is organised by the University of Bergen, the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, and the Institute of Marine Research with partners in Canada, Chile, Germany, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands as part of the UN Ocean Decade (2021-2030) Productive Ocean Laboratory. The event will be online and open to all interested parties. Registration is now open.

• Relevant hashtags: #SaveOurOcean #OceanDecade #SDG14

Agenda

• Scientific presentations highlighting recent trends, ongoing research, and knowledge gaps from six fjord regions, followed by audience Q&A  
• Perspectives from industry, management, and policy representatives on fjord activities, followed by audience Q&A
• Thematic breakout rooms and report out

Speakers

• Dr. Jennifer Jackson, Hakai Institute, Victoria BC Canada
• Dr. Iván Ernesto Perez Santos, Centro i-mar, Universidad de Los Lagos, Chile
• Dr. Mari Myksvoll, Institute of Marine Research and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Norway
• PhD Candidate Phoebe O’brien, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
• Dr. Kai Bischof, Marine Botany, University of Bremen, Germany
• Dr. Sissal Vágsheyg Erenbjerg, Department of Fjord Dynamics, Aquaculture Research station of the Faroes (Fiskaaling)
• Ambassador Waldemar Coutts, Director for Environment and Ocean Affairs for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile
• Natalia Golis, Vestland County Deputy Mayor
• Svein Eivind Gilje, CEO of Engesund fiskeoppdrett in Norway  
• Dr. Natalya Gallo, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Norway

Other contributors to the event include: Dr. Elin Darelius (Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Norway); Dr. Anne Gro Vea Salvanes (Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Norway); Dr. Manuel I. Castillo (Centro COSTA-R, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile); Dr. Laura Bianucci (Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada); Dr. Irina Polovodova Asteman (Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg); Dr. Wiley Evans (Hakai Institute, Victoria BC Canada); and Dr. Erna Olsen (Fiskaaling).

Description

Fjords are unique and iconic marine ecosystems that were carved into the landscape by the retreat of glaciers and are the fingerprints of past climate change on high latitude coastlines. These deep crevices were filled by the ocean and now host productive and diverse marine communities, including a high biomass of mesopelagic species. Fjords are economically and socially important for aquaculture, tourism, recreational fisheries, transportation, and coastal development.

However, environmental management challenges are presenting themselves in fjords around the world. Fjord ecosystems experience increasing climate change impacts, including changes in freshwater input, warming, oxygen loss, and acidification. At the same time, human use of fjords has increased, especially in the area of aquaculture development.

In order to maintain healthy and productive fjord ecosystems, there needs to be a better understanding of changes to fjord ecosystems at the global level and more interactions between different relevant stakeholder groups. This event brings together scientific experts on fjord ecosystems from different regions of the world with leaders from policy and industry to share experiences and build better understanding of the challenges and opportunities for sustainable management of fjords.

The presentations and subsequent dialogue at this Productive Ocean Satellite Event will contribute to building new connections, identifying knowledge gaps, and developing deeper understanding across regions and areas of expertise to empower implementation of the goals of the UN Ocean Decade for these iconic ecosystems.

More background on the UN Ocean Decade

• Official UN Ocean Decade webpage
• The UN Ocean Decade Laboratories
• Ocean Decade page of the Research Council of Norway (in Norwegian)