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ECSA 60 Conference: Implementing Science-Based Solutions and Strategies for Coastal Resilience

Gemma Smith and Michael Elliott, IECS Ltd.

In early September 2024, academics from around the world met in Hangzhou, China, to explore an urgent question: ‘How can we better protect our coasts and oceans while balancing human needs?’


The event was the 60th meeting of the Estuarine & Coastal Sciences Association (ECSA), a group dedicated to the promotion and advancement of multidisciplinary research into all aspects of estuaries and coasts, and the application of science and technology for their sustainable environmental management. This year's theme, "Implementing Science-Based Solutions and Strategies for Coastal Resilience," focused on finding practical ways to make our coasts more resilient to challenges such as climate change, pollution, and increased human activity.



Why It Matters:

Healthy, biodiverse seas are vital to human well-being, providing us with the air we breathe, the food we eat, and supporting economic activities. However, human activities on land and at sea are accelerating marine biodiversity loss globally. The conference aimed to address these pressing issues and suggest sustainable solutions. Among the attendees were researchers from the Marine SABRES project, two team members shared their work:

1.        Professor Mike Elliott discussed how the marine environment is managed and how we can measure the success of marine management efforts.

2.        Gemma Smith highlighted how our oceans and human communities are closely linked, emphasising the need for management approaches that consider both social and ecological aspects. Her talk focused on practical ways to apply this holistic view in real-world coastal management.


Pictured are Marine SABRES colleagues Mike Elliott and Gemma Smith at this year's ECSA 60 Conference.


At this conference the Marine SABRES team members shared how we are developing a user-friendly tool called a "Simple Social-Ecological System" (Simple SES) to make marine ecosystem-based management clearer and more effective. This approach aims to:

  • Help managers make sustainable decisions

  • Engage citizens in marine biodiversity conservation

  • Promote sustainable development in coastal and marine sectors

  • Reverse biodiversity declines in marine environments



Conference Highlights

The ECSA conference emphasised the need for different scientific fields to work together and involve local communities in protecting our coasts. By bringing together experts and emphasising practical, science-based solutions, the ECSA conference represents an important step forward in our efforts to protect and preserve the world's oceans and marine areas for future generations. The insights shared, including the innovative approaches of projects such as Marine SABRES, offer hope for more effective and sustainable management of our finite marine resources. As we face growing challenges from climate change and human activities, the work discussed at this conference will be crucial in shaping policies and practices to ensure healthy, resilient oceans for years to come.


Mike Elliott at this year's ECSA 60 Conference.

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