From 27-31 August 2016, managers from the 49 marine sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List will convene in the Galapagos Islands to explore solutions to some of the world’s most pressing conservation challenges including climate adaptation strategies and market-based approaches to strengthen sustainable fisheries. Along with leading experts and ocean conservationists they will help chart a sustainable path forward for the world’s most iconic marine protected areas.
Like the rest of the ocean, World Heritage marine sites are facing unprecedented change. But they are also pioneering groundbreaking solutions, from remote surveillance systems that help prevent illegal fishing to community development and education programs that promote local stewardship. Site managers conferences help facilitate the exchange of best practices across this global community.
The triennial World Heritage marine site managers' conferences are an opportunity to discuss emerging challenges and solutions that can be replicated across this network and around the world. Keynote speakers at this year’s conference include Dr. Daniel Pauly of the University of British Columbia, Martin Visbeck of GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research, Paul Marshall from the University of Queensland, Lara Hansen from EcoAdapt, Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence, Brian Sullivan from Google Oceans and Pulitzer prize winning journalist, Kenneth Weiss. The central themes of this year’s conference are climate change, sustainable fisheries, and collaboration.
The conference is held in partnership with the Gálapagos National Park and the Gálapagos Government Council and receives the leadership support of Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic.
The conference is supported by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation along with the Leona and Harry Helmsley Charitable Trust, the French Marine Protected Areas Agency, the Swiss manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre, the government of Flanders, the Netherlands and Australia, , WWF, Conservation International and Galapagos Conservancy.