Dr. Ming To Speak In London: Project Ocean

The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr. Frederick Ming, will represent Bermuda in part of Selfridges’ ‘Ocean Talks’ in London – one of a number of events being held in aid of Selfridges’ Project Ocean.

Spearheaded by Selfridges and ZSL [Zoological Society of London], Project Ocean is a call-to-action marine conservation campaign aimed at raising awareness about overfishing and celebrating the beauty of the sea. The London-based retailer will showcase the campaign in its stores, windows, online and via an integrated digital platform from May 11th to June 12th.

Dr. Ming will take part in the second of Selfridges ‘Ocean Talks’ on May 19th, entitled “Fencing Off The Oceans,” which relates to Marine Protected Areas.

The international event will enable Bermuda to share the news of its exciting developments regarding the protection of the Sargasso Sea with the rest of the world.

The ‘Ocean Talks’ are one of a number of events being held by Selfridges as part of Project Ocean – an inspiring initiative that challenges the public to imagine a world with “no more fish in the sea”. Selfridges is collaborating with campaigners to use its trademark creative marketing approach to increase awareness, inspire a change in consumer habits and raise funds.

The project is both a celebration of the oceans and a forum for conservationists to issue an urgent public wake-up call to address issues of sustainability, overfishing and marine protection. Driven by the unthinkable prospect of the world’s major fisheries collapsing by 2050, the London store has given itself over to leading international marine protection campaigners and 22 environmental NGOs, as well as high profile activists from the worlds of art, fashion, culinary arts, and entertainment.

Just over a year ago, the Bermuda Government took on a role in helping to establish the Sargasso Sea Alliance – an international, public-private partnership whose purpose is to bring further protections to the Sargasso Sea.

The vast and rich ecosystem of the Sargasso Sea extends from within Bermuda’s national waters into the international waters of the high seas. Its boundaries are the great ocean currents that encircle it: the Gulf Stream; the North Atlantic Current; the Canary Current and the North Equatorial Current.

“The challenge of protecting such a vast expanse of ocean is breathtaking,” said Dr. Ming, “but we are fortunate to have the Pew Environment Group, a major independent environmental non-profit organization with a focus on oceanic protection, offering to work with the Bermuda Government to establish a large marine reserve somewhere within our 200 mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This would be an important first step towards protection of the wider Sargasso Sea, and since Bermuda’s fishermen operate within the inner 60,000 sq. km band, that leaves us with lots of room to consider creating a reserve should Government choose to fully embrace the Pew proposition.”

“Pew will undertake a viability assessment in conjunction with the Bermuda Government, and is committed to help explore the establishment of a large marine reserve in national waters by retaining a Bermudian full-time to help work on this important effort.”

Dr. Ming added: “Fundamentally, the May 19th presentation at Selfridges in London will enable Bermuda to begin sharing the news of these exciting developments with the rest of the world. Our participation will send the message that Bermuda is very serious about carving out a role for itself in the world of high seas conservation. This is potentially a very positive development for Bermuda’s long term future as well as the future of the Sargasso Sea.”

The Pew Environment Group arranged for Bermuda to take part in the Selfridges event as part of Pew’s Global Ocean Legacy campaign focused on helping secure the establishment of marine reserves.

In addition to Dr. Ming, other panelists in the May 19th discussion include Professor Callum Roberts of York University, who is the author of The Unnatural History of the Sea; Oceana CEO Andy Sharpless; and a speaker from the Pacific Commons Initiative, in which several Pacific Island States are currently cooperating to create marine reserves in the high seas areas enclosed by their Exclusive Economic Zones.

The Chair of the discussion will be Kate Humble, a British wildlife TV presenter and herself an advocate for ocean conservation.

Dr. Ming’s talk will take place in the Ultralounge, which is an exhibition and event space within Selfridges itself, on the lower ground floor. The Ultralounge has a capacity for 120 people, with a stage plus large screen behind the speakers.

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Category: All, Environment