VIRGINIA KEY, FL – A major new center devoted to marine conservation has arrived: the Pew Institute for Ocean Science. Located at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami, the Institute is a $3 million collaborative effort with The Pew Charitable Trusts.
This new Institute consolidates much of the marine conservation work sponsored by the Trusts, which has become a leader in this growing field. The Institute’s three primary missions will be to:
- continue the Trusts’ sponsorship of groundbreaking, nonpartisan marine research,
- provide consultation and selective assistance on fishery management issues, and
- oversee the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation – the most prominent marine fellows program in the world. The Pew Fellows Program will relocate from the New England Aquarium to the Rosenstiel School in December 2003.
“The Pew Institute unites world class ocean science with world class ocean conservation,” said Joshua Reichert, director of environment programs at The Pew Charitable Trusts. “Today’s announcement comes at a critical time for the oceans. As more and more Americans demand greater protection for our coastal waters and ocean wildlife, the Pew Institute will provide the sound science needed to solve the challenges facing our oceans.”
“The Rosenstiel School has a great reputation around the world, and it was my first choice for the Pew Institute. Having worked with some of its researchers previously, I know they are top-notch and work on a range of issues parallel to those the Institute will address," said Ellen Pikitch, a current Pew Fellow who will serve as the Institute’s executive director.
Most recently, Dr. Pikitch was the director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Ocean Strategy Program, and she is an expert in the assessment and management of fisheries, including those of large coastal sharks, bluefin tuna, and Caspian Sea sturgeons. Also joining the Institute is Dr. Elizabeth Babcock, a fisheries expert and new research assistant professor at the University of Miami.
"This new partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts is both an external recognition of the quality of our inter-disciplinary programs and a wonderful opportunity to integrate basic research and policy in ocean conservation,” said Otis Brown, dean of the Rosenstiel School. “The addition of Professors Ellen Pikitch and Elizabeth Babcock to our faculty will substantially enhance our programs in sustainable fisheries and conservation."
Initial efforts of the Pew Institute for Ocean Science will include the development of a board of advisors and a multi-year research agenda. In its first year, the Institute plans to distribute an ecosystem-based fishery management report and an analysis of U.S. recreational fisheries. Future efforts will emphasize the development of effective, science-based solutions to various threats facing marine fish and ecosystems. These findings will be disseminated widely to policy-makers and the public.
The Rosenstiel School is one of the world’s foremost institutions for research on coral reefs, aquaculture techniques, and commercially important fisheries. It runs the Center on Sustainable Fisheries and works closely with two neighboring institutions: NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory and the Southeast Fisheries Science Center.
The Pew Institute comes at a time of growing concern over the health of America’s oceans. In July of 2003, the independent Pew Oceans Commission published “America’s Living Oceans” with findings based on a three-year study of the oceans – the first of its kind in more than 30 years. The policy report followed groundbreaking research on the global decline in populations of large marine fish due to industrialized fishing. In a few months the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy plans to publish its report on U.S. ocean policy.
# # #
The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture its students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of the diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world.
# # #
The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric
Science at the University of Miami is one of the
premier oceanographic research and education institutions
in the world. Based at a 16-acre campus on Virginia
Key in Miami, the Rosenstiel School is the only
subtropical institute of its kind in the continental
United States. More than 100 Ph.D. faculty members,
150 graduate students, and 250 research support
staff comprise the academic community. Through
excellence in applied and basic marine and atmospheric
research, the Rosenstiel School sheds light on
today's most pressing environmental issues, including
fisheries, oceans and human health, hurricane
warnings, climate change, and coral reefs.www.rsmas.miami.edu
# # #
The Pew Charitable Trusts (www.pewtrusts.org)
support nonprofit activities in the areas of culture,
education, the environment, health and human services,
public policy and religion. Based in Philadelphia,
with an office in Washington, D.C., the Trusts
make strategic investments to help organizations
and citizens develop practical solutions to difficult
problems. In 2002, with approximately $3.8 billion
in assets, the Trusts committed over $166 million
to 287 nonprofit organizations.
|
