PEOPLE POWER MATTERS IN OCEAN CONSERVATION, SAYS CONGRESS KEYNOTE

St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador (April 13)—Ransom A. Myers was a leading fisheries scientist, world-renowned marine biologist, and acclaimed conservationist. Known in the field as Ram, he was famous for his avant-garde views on sustainability, before sustainability became a popular term. In his memory, he is honored at each International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC) through the Ransom A. Myers Memorial Lecture, given by a Ram Honoree. At IMCC4, held 30 July – 3 August 2016 in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the Ransom A. Myers Memorial Award will be presented on the last day. The honoree will give the memorial lecture as a plenary speech to IMCC4 delegates.

"I had a chance to get to know Ram.  He was a force of nature; a man who took the world by storm through the power of data analysis and meta-analytics," recalled Julia K. Parrish, IMCC4 Ram Memorial Award recipient. "I like to think that he would have loved the rise of citizen science as a bona fide tool in the science, and conservation, toolbox.  After all, a large long-term citizen science project can capture fine-scale, broad-extent data—just the type that Ram was famous for using."

Parrish is the Lowell A. and Frankie L. Wakefield Professor of Ocean Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington (UW), where she also serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of the Environment.  As Associate Dean, she helped bring two exciting efforts to increase inclusion in science into the College: Seattle MESA, a pipeline program providing hands-on science, math, and engineering opportunities for middle and high school students; and the Doris Duke Conservation Scholar's Program at UW, a national summer program for undergraduates fusing the concerns of ecosystem conservation, equity and inclusion. For more than 25 years, Julia has worked as a marine biologist, a conservation biologist, and a specialist in animal aggregation.

"Conservation is a subject that lets science, resource management, and environmental advocates all crowd into the same space. And marine conservation is a fast-emerging sector of the broader conservation movement," Parrish stated. "It never occurred to me that my work would ever rise to the level of a keynote at the preeminent marine conservation conference bringing these groups together.  At the same time, I'm totally thrilled to have the chance to talk about citizen science and the power of the people."

Parrish's speech at the Delta Conference Centre in downtown St. John's will be on the use citizen science in marine science and marine conservation research, highlighting the importance of including non-scientists in research and decision-making. She will talk about the strong attachments of people to places and nature, as well as incorporating multiple points of view and purposes in marine conservation, embodying the overarching theme of IMCC—Making Marine Science Matter. Parrish is one of five female plenary speakers at IMCC4, including the opening plenary session, the Ram Memorial Lecture, and the internet-focused OceansOnline day on 4 August. The total of seven plenary speakers represent varied backgrounds, disciplines, and locations.

In addition to plenary speeches, scientists from around the world will present the latest in marine conservation research and practice during symposia, focus groups, workshops, special events, contributed sessions, and more. IMCC4 will take place July 30 - August 3, 2016 in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. To learn more, visit the IMCC4 website, Facebook page, or follow #IMCC4 on Twitter.

About the International Marine Conservation Congress

The Society for Conservation Biology's IMCC brings together conservation professionals and students to develop new and powerful tools, further marine conservation science and policy and catalyze change. Organized by the Society's Marine Section, IMCC is recognized as the most important international meeting for marine scientists, marine conservation professionals and students. IMCC delegates include marine conservation professionals from every sector of the field around the world, including biological and social sciences, management, policy, planning and communications. Universities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private foundations, and other organizations from numerous countries will be represented.

More information:
For more information about IMCC4, please contact:

Edward Hind, Deputy Chair & Communication Officer

Email: scbmarinecomms@gmail.com

Twitter: @IMCC2016

Provided by Society for Conservation Biology Marine Section