On April 10, Stanford University hosted a symposium on climate change and marine systems. Experts explained the need to manage for resiliency in the face of climate change impacts like rising sea levels, acidification, and warming waters. They also emphasized that resource managers should act now to buffer against future uncertainties.
In order to give sea life a fighting chance recover from climate change, we have to maintain healthy, biodiverse ecosystems.
Southern California residents are working now to design a network of underwater parks, or marine protected areas, that will stretch from Point Conception to the border with Mexico. The network will preserve the the south coast's best habitat and a variety of local sea life while leaving the vast majority of coastal waters open for fishing and other uses.
In order to find the best possible solution for Southern California’s ocean resources, scientists are working alongside businesspeople, anglers, and conservationists. Three proposals from external groups are on the table already, but the south coast regional stakeholder group, charged with weighing ecological and economic factors to create a plan that’s good for people and wildlife, is still working to find middle ground.
A new study from the National Academy of Sciences magazine may make their jobs easier. It’s widely known that fish populations inside protected areas thrive. This study tracked the movements of young fish born inside protected areas, and found that many spread to the surrounding waters, where they help replenish populations. Others travel further to end up in nearby protected areas. The study shows how important it is to have a network of protected areas, and how vital size, spacing and sound science are to the survival of species like giant sea bass and rockfish. You can read more about the study in Science Daily.
