Ocean Conservancy

Excited to share our latest policy brief, "Blue Thread: Aligning National Climate and Biodiversity Strategies," on the #roadtoCOP16 and #roadtoCOP29 — spearheaded by Ocean & Climate Platform with contributions from Ocean Conservancy and partners across civil society and the private sector. This policy brief highlights the important role of ocean-based climate solutions in progressing the agendas of both the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This is a critical piece of policy work in advancing ocean-climate action, and I hope you can take a look!

"Conservation—or caretaking, as I like to call it—was something that I was born into. It's an ancestral imperative that was handed down to me from my ancestors and generations?past. For tens of thousands of years, my ancestors have cared for and protected this place that we now call home today ... We have a responsibility to caretake for this place in our current day and age so that?our future generations?can thrive in these homelands that we have known and loved and cherished for generations." In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, watch below to get to know Ocean Conservancy's Vice President for Arctic Conservation ‘Wáahlaal Gidaag Barbara Blake. Learn more about her work strengthening opportunities for Indigenous voices and advocating for Indigenous communities: https://lnkd.in/edr3SMzY

October is National Seafood Month, a time to celebrate the incredible diversity of ocean life and the hardworking communities that rely on the ocean for food, livelihoods, recreation and other benefits. At Ocean Conservancy, we are dedicated to protecting these marine ecosystems and supporting the sustainable fisheries that rely on them. However, this year, we must also recognize the severe challenges facing one of Alaska’s most iconic and most valuable fisheries: Bering Sea snow crab. In 2022, *for the first time in history*, this fishery was closed due to a sudden, dramatic decline in the abundance of adult and juvenile crabs. While it was recently announced that the fishery will be reopened for the upcoming season—a welcome relief for the fishers and communities hit hard by the closures—this remains a climate-vulnerable stock. The reopening brings hope, but the collapse serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats climate change poses to marine ecosystems. Read more on the Bering Sea snow crab collapse from our own Daniel Portnof. https://lnkd.in/gfbw8Xsh

"In 2016, I first traveled to the island nation of Vanuatu with a mission: to understand the real-life impacts of ghost gear (abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear) on the local communities ... During my trip, I met with many local fishers to hear from them first-hand about the challenges they face, and in every conversation, one theme was abundantly clear: Ghost gear was threatening their way of life." Read more from our Global Ghost Gear Initiative Director Ingrid Giskes on how small island developing states are disproportionately impacted by the harms of ghost gear. ?

?? The U.S. Department of the Interior recently announced new funding to clean up eight abandoned oil and gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico. While it's good that these orphaned wells will be plugged (thus reducing risk to the environment) what's shameful is that *taxpayer dollars* are being used to do it. The cleanup of old and end-of-life oil and gas wells and platforms (AKA "decommissioning") should be handled and paid for by the oil and gas industry only. Full stop.?? A recent US Government Accountability Office report found that a staggering 2,700+ wells and 500?platforms in the Gulf of Mexico are overdue for decommissioning—a backlog that is the result of poor oversight and weak regulations by the federal government. Ocean Conservancy recently released a white paper breaking down this poor regulatory system and what needs to be fixed to get this infrastructure cleaned up by the rightful owners, on time. Learn more: Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eiFaPBf7

Our hearts are with all those in Florida as they brace for the arrival of Hurricane Milton. ?? The National Hurricane Center confirmed that Hurricane Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes in recorded history for west-central Florida. With 165+ MPH winds, Hurricane Milton is currently a catastrophically strong Category 5 storm. And in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many Floridians, including Ocean Conservancy staff, are still recovering from disastrous storm surge, flooding and massive amounts of residual debris. ? What to know about disaster relief and preparation via FEMA: https://lnkd.in/dvQYK7wE ? Follow Hurricane Milton's projected path: https://lnkd.in/dBAnE2bs ??: NOAA GOES-16 satellite

?? Today is World Octopus Day, and while we love to celebrate octopuses every day at Ocean Conservancy, today is an extra special time to highlight these magnificent creatures. One of the most fascinating things about octopuses is their varying defense mechanisms: Mimic octopuses are the ultimate masters of disguise with their unmatched camouflage skills; blue-ringed octopuses contain venom 1,000 times more powerful than cyanide; coconut octopuses have the foresight to carry around coconut shells to use as protective shelters. But despite their ink-credible ability to ward off predators, one threat octopuses, and all marine wildlife, cannot escape is the deluge of plastic pollution. That’s why we're calling on Congress to pass the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act and stop this crisis at the source. *Join us for World Octopus Day and add your name now*: https://lnkd.in/dyztKkxv Octopuses have been around for 330 million years—yes, even before dinosaurs. Plastics on the other hand have only been around for a little more than a half-century, yet plastic production and pollution are severely increasing. DYK half of all plastics ever made have been manufactured in just the last 20 years? If we don’t act now, plastics production and use will be on track to double in the next decade. Celebrate World Octopus Day and take action now: https://lnkd.in/dyztKkxv ??: Mike Bartick/Ocean Image Bank . . #Octopus #Octopuses #WorldOctopusDay #OctopusDay #BreakFree #BreakFreeFromPlasticPollution #PlasticPollution #Plastics

?? Exciting news for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary! This month, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration released the final Environmental Impact Statement—the last step needed before this sanctuary can be finalized. It is a *huge win* for the first Tribally nominated National Marine Sanctuary in the United States and a result of more than 40 years of campaigning by the Northern Chumash Tribal Council.? Add your name now and thank NOAA for this important step in ocean protection. ?? ? https://lnkd.in/d5wGiywx

Join Ocean Conservancy's mobile list and choose your own adventure by texting "BEGIN" to 52551! ?? When you join our mobile list, you’ll receive important opportunities to take action and support our work—plus you’ll enjoy engaging trivia, interactive quizzes and outstanding ways to live an ocean-friendly lifestyle, straight to your phone.

Today is World Animal Day! We're proud to work with ocean lovers like YOU to protect our ocean and the animals and wildlife that depend on it. ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? So, tell us ... what is your favorite ocean animal? (We know it's hard, if not impossible, to choose just one!) Drop your answer below. ?? Then explore our Ocean Conservancy Wildlife Library and learn more about some pretty incredible creatures: https://lnkd.in/efuTpyrv . . #WorldAnimalDay #AnimalDay #Wildlife #MarineWildlife #MarineAnimals #Biodiversity ??: Joaquin Fregoni