Strengthening international research links

Challenge researchers are strengthening links with Canadian research programmes involved in ocean conservation, climate change, and social and economic development of marine environments.

In May, Challenge Programme Leader Prof Conrad Pilditch (University of Waikato) visited Prof Philippe Archambault at the University of Laval, Quebec. Philippe heads the University’s Sentinel North research program and is on the Science Advisory Committee for Canadian Healthy Oceans Network (CHONe). Conrad also met researchers at the Canada High Artic Research Station (CHARS) in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. CHARS is embedded within the local indigenous community and is assessing the impacts of climate change on social-ecological ecosystems in the Artic.

Sustainable Seas research was also highlighted in Canada at the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity in Montreal in May. Conrad presented his research findings alongside Challenge researchers Prof Simon Thrush (University of Auckland), Dr Judi Hewitt (NIWA) and Dr Rebecca Gladstone-Gallagher (University of Waikato).

Sustainable Seas researchers are engaged with research programmes studying cumulative effects on marine ecosystems in the Australia, Europe and North America. Research teams are collaborating with interdisciplinary programme funders such as Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans) and The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB).

Through these international collaborations the Challenge is aligning its research with international obligations, sustainable development goals and global biodiversity targets.