This article is by Emanuele Bigagli: The EU legal framework for the management of marine complex social–ecological systems, has been published in Marine Policy 54 (2015) 44–51. It includes the following abstract:
The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and Mexico’s National Agency for Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection of the Hydrocarbons Sector signed a letter of intent to strengthen cooperation, coordination and information sharing related to the development, oversight, and enforcement of safety and environmental regulations for development of offshore hydrocarbon resources.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced that it will cancel the two potential Arctic offshore lease sales scheduled under the current five-year offshore oil and gas leasing program for 2012-2017. The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) also denied requests from Shell and Statoil for lease suspensions, which would have extended the expiration date of the leases. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell stated:
“In light of Shell’s announcement, the amount of acreage already under lease and current market conditions, it does not make sense to prepare for lease sales in the Arctic in the next year and a half.”
On Thursday, January 14, 2016, from 9:00 – 5:00 ET, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC 20001, will hold its Arctic Matters Day: a public symposium. The NAS states that this event will be
“a series of lively, public-friendly presentations from top scientists and other experts who study the connections between Arctic-region changes and impacts that can affect people and places around the globe. Attendees can also explore a series of interactive exhibits and displays. The event is free and open to the public….Some of the topics/speakers at this event will include;
The second Mares Conference on Marine Ecosystems Health and Conservation
will be held from the 1st to 5th February 2016 in Portugal. Throughout the conference’s scientific sessions and exhibitions six thematic subjects will be explored:
- Future oceans: temperature changes – hypoxia acidification
- Understanding biodiversity effects on the functioning of marine
ecosystems - Biological invasions
- Natural resources: overexploitation, fisheries and aquaculture
- Ocean noise pollution
Habitat loss, urban development, coastal infrastructures and marine spatial planning
Further details on the conference themes, keynote speakers, program and
training workshops can be found at www.maresconference.eu
or visit www.facebook.com/maresconference.
The U.S. National Academy of Sciences has announced the first meetings of its BOEM Committee on Ocean Energy Management. This committee will meet December 8 and 9 at the National Academies in Washington, D.C.
BOEM states, “The committee will provide independent information on issues relevant to BOEM’s environmental studies and assessment activities and support discussions on relevant issues.”
This committee is comprised of the following individuals:
- Chair: Dr. Gary B. Griggs—University of California, Santa Cruz
- Peter J. Auster—University of Connecticut
- Deerin Babb-Brott—SeaPlan
- Keith R. Criddle—University of Alaska, Fairbanks
- Hajo Eicken—University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Intelligent Ocean Ltd (www.intelligentocean.com) is running the
following training courses in October in Kings Lynn, UK for which there are spaces available:
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) Training for UK – 21st October 2015 ; and
- Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Protected Species Observer
(PSO) Training for Gulf of Mexico, USA – 22nd October 2015.
The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has reviewed the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act. SARs for marine mammals in the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions were revised according to new information. NMFS solicits public comments on the draft 2015 SARs. NMFS must receive any comments by December 29, 2015.
Click here to read NMFS’ Federal Register notice of these revised SARs.
