Free Lecture On Climate Change & Fisheries
BEST will hold a free lecture by Dr. Sarah Smith on “Bermuda’s fisheries management and the impacts of climate change” at Bermuda College on Thursday [April 24].
A spokesperson said, “The community is invited to attend a free lecture on Thursday, April 24th, to discover more about Bermuda’s fisheries management and the impacts of climate change, with Fisheries Social Scientist and Marine Research Associate, Dr. Sarah Smith.
“Dr. Sarah Lindley Smith is a Fisheries Social Scientist and Marine Research Associate with the University of Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Center, as well as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Rhode Island. Her current work is focused on supporting sustainable fisheries practices in Low and Middle Income Countries to promote food security and livelihoods for coastal communities.
“She also had a research interest in understanding how fishers and fishing communities adapt and respond to climate change and other impacts. In addition to fisheries, she has also worked in the areas of offshore wind, marine spatial planning, and marine conservation, both globally and in her home state of Rhode Island. She holds a PhD in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island, and presently lives in Bermuda with her family.”
Dr. Smith said, “As climate change causes global ocean temperatures to increase, and impacts marine ecosystems, fishery resources that people around the world rely on for food security, nutrition, and livelihoods are being impacted. Many fish stocks are on the move in response to changing water temperatures, while others are affected by ecosystem-level changes to the availability of prey or habitat.
“In response, fishers must adapt their fishing behaviors to changing conditions, which may include following fish shifting their distribution, targeting new species, or adapting in other ways. Furthermore, fisheries management must be responsive to changing fish stocks as well as the changing environmental and economic conditions that impact fisheries.”
The spokesperson said, “Dr. Sarah Lindley Smith will discuss research into some of these adaptations, how fisheries management has been addressing shifts brought about by climate change, and present case studies from fisheries around the world, including New England, the Pacific, and Madagascar.”
Kim Smith, BEST Executive Director, said, “BEST is encouraging everyone interested in learning more from Dr. Smith about how the changing marine ecosystems will impact us here in Bermuda to come to her talk at the Bermuda College on April 24th, or at least to view the recorded presentation. They do say that being forewarned is being forearmed. Until a formal local action plan for adaptation and mitigation of the impacts of climate change is released here in Bermuda, we need to be gathering as much additional information as possible.”
Amy Harvey, the Earth and Environmental Science Senior Lecturer at the Bermuda College, said, “The ocean is our unsung hero, carrying out free services for us daily such as climate regulation, food production and sources of products such as medicine for our health. Protection of the ocean is key as it is our first line of defense along with biodiversity against climate change.
“The coral reef ecosystems alone cover 25% of the world’s biodiversity. The Sargasso Sea that surrounds Bermuda also produces one in every five breaths we take. It is equivalent to the Amazon rainforest. We look forward to hearing more about management of this precious resource from Dr. Smith as we plan for our future as a small island nation that must be prepared for the impacts of climate change.”
The spokesperson said, “Join us for this informative presentation on Thursday, April 24th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm, in person at The Bermuda College, The Athene Lecture Hall, H100. This lecture is free and no registration is required. The presentation is followed by a lively Q&A, so bring your questions.
“Or join us online on Facebook or YouTube.
“Light refreshments will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Please bring your own beverage.”
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Category: All, Environment
1. Please define “climate change.”
2. Please define “biodiversity.” Then, by fish, plant, turtle, coral, Mollusca, humans, etc., tell me what the optimal balance is for each species by grid section/geographical coordinates.
Thank you.