Pacific Scientists Sharing Knowledge to Improve Ocean Products for Decision Making

Ocean management is a vital question for all Pacific Islands because of its importance to our people, environment, and economy. In order to support Pacific Island Countries and Territories, the Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science (PCCOS) planned its first Ocean Science Retreat from the 4th of October to the 7th of October to deepen scientists’ understanding of cutting-edge approaches and foster collaboration. This event rallied ocean scientists from New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, and Australia. 

Numerous themes were covered thanks to the different the Pacific Community (SPC) divisions and research partners included, such as the SPC's Geoscience, Energy and Maritime (GEM) team, the SPC's Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystem (FAME) team, the SPC's Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability (CCES) team and researchers for the French Institute for Development (IRD), Ifremer, and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). 

Dr Jerome Aucan, Head of PCCOS, defined the goals of this retreat, “Events like this bring together subject matter experts from SPC and key research partners to discuss issues such as ocean modelling, ocean observation, traditional ocean knowledge, ocean acidification and regional science priorities in the Pacific. It offers a rare opportunity to establish new areas of collaboration between the different divisions of SPC and partners on Ocean Science”.

Ocean scientists identified practical pathways to improve their use of data, ocean models developed and to better include traditional ocean knowledge in their work.  

One of the main outputs of the event was the set-up of a Pacific Islands Conference on Ocean Science and Ocean Management, planned for May 2023 in Fiji. The event will bring together technical experts and policy makers around the themes of integrated ocean management, science products, traditional knowledge, and ocean policies.  

The Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science (PCCOS) brings excellence in ocean science, knowledge and innovation supporting the Pacific Community member countries and territories to conserve and sustainably use ocean, seas, and marine resources of our Pacific Blue Continent. 

This event was made possible with the financial support of the New Zealand Government. 

For further information, please contact PCCOS' Project Advisor at pierreyvescatspc.int">pierreyvescatspc.int

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