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Aquariums Reaching the Public with Conservation Campaigns

Aquariums Reaching the Public with Conservation Campaigns Leonard Sonnenschein President Vision Statement To create a wider awareness of the fragile state of the ocean ecosystems and what consumer actions can do to bring about a positive conservation change. Objective

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Aquariums Reaching the Public with Conservation Campaigns

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  1. Aquariums Reaching the Public with Conservation Campaigns Leonard Sonnenschein President www.worldaquarium.net

  2. Vision Statement To create a wider awareness of the fragile state of the ocean ecosystems and what consumer actions can do to bring about a positive conservation change. World Aquarium

  3. Objective The objective of the Sensible Fish Campaign is to educate consumers on the issues of overfishing, aquaculture woes and empower them with actions they can take in the market place and/or restaurant. World Aquarium

  4. Goals • To promote protection of marine/ freshwater environments • To promote biodiversity in aquaculture: any fish consumed affects an ecosystem • To encourage and empower consumers to be able to make sustainable choices when buying seafood. • To turn purchases and actions into positive environmental changes and greater financial motivation for other stakeholder and custody levels • To promote the sharing responsibility in fisheries World Aquarium

  5. Social Actors and Targets • Consumers and Youths: “Moms and Kids” • Fishermen Organizations • Fish Suppliers/ Processors • Food Sellers, including restaurants, food service and retailers • Public Aquariums and Zoos • Conservation Organizations • Museums and Science Centers • Government World Aquarium

  6. What is Sensible? World Aquarium

  7. The Role of the Public Aquariums Multi-access Education and Conservation World Aquarium

  8. Public Aquariums Role Formal Programs: • Publications • Media Relations • Teacher Education • Adult Education • Multi-faceted learning Informal Programs: • Ad hoc Exhibits • Hands-out • Talk Sessions World Aquarium

  9. WON CONCRETE FIELD ACTIONS COMMITTEE GOALS Implementing outdoor/indoor field actions on a local scale as well as on a global scale. To launch a call for Field actions project within the Network, according to pre-defined criteria and objectives. Partners supports of local initiatives on the field as well as votes for global projects which will be financed by the Network fund for Field action. WORLD OCEAN DAY Celebrations. Develop common international projects in the above areas and consider for additional funding Develop joint projects for local action project for all World Ocean Network participants World Aquarium

  10. Concrete Field Action Committee Members AmbienteNews RENACE World Aquarium

  11. Public Aquariums Engagements 2003 The well-known petition campaign related to the oil spill of the “Prestige.” World Aquarium

  12. Public Aquariums Engagements 2004 “10 Steps Towards Saving the Ocean”: Individual actions coupled with the multilevel better practices model engagement to ensure ecosystem change. World Aquarium

  13. Public Aquariums Engagements 2005 “Eating Fish Sensibly” Campaign: Affecting a Better Consumptive Practice on a Regional Basis. WON Sensible Fish Campaign 2005 Every Fish Consumed affects the environment in Some Way The Benefit is Up to You, Make a Sensible Choice World Aquarium

  14. Seafood Advisories Private and Public Sectors World Aquarium

  15. How Did We Get Here? “Over 90% of what once lived in the world's oceans no longer exists primarily because of human practices and chiefly from fishing practices” (Sylvia Earle, Global Conference on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands , November 2003, Unesco, Paris) World Aquarium

  16. FDA and Statewide Advisories FDA Mercury in Fish or Shellfish: Women and Young Children Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high level of mercury Eat up to 12 oz (2 aver. Meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury (shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish) Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught in your local lakes, rivers and costal areas Statewide on specific contaminant: PCBs and Mercury Local advisories in contaminated State water resource areas PCBs: “tips” for preparing Fish Safely : methods for cleaning & preparing fish: trimming, skinning and cooking advise Mercury: “Do Not Eat” Lists for Categories at risk and Safe Catchments areas World Aquarium

  17. Public Aquariums and Seafood Campaigns • Seafood Guide: Wallet Cards, Score Cards, Seafood Recommendations Based on ecological impact of smaller overfishing and destructive fishing practices and farming methodology. Often give generic advisories on mercury level, dioxins and other pollutant. World Aquarium

  18. A new issue? GE Fish in the US • Private Campaigns against Transgenic Fish introduction in the US Market and Marine Environment Legal Petition Legislative Actions Grassroots (federal agencies, consumers, chefs, fish retailers and legislators) World Aquarium

  19. Evaluation and Recommendation Measure our successes and apply changes to most practical effect World Aquarium

  20. How do we communicate? Senders Receivers to many? Or to few? Effectiveness? Communication Medium Ability (FDA and State Advisories,Wallet Card/Brochure) Confusing? comprehensive? World Aquarium

  21. Available Options • Availability of different resources and advisory for the consumers nationwide, locally and statewide Pro/Con: Eco-friendly not always is Health Safer. Local issues may overturn National Campaigns recommendation and the Consumers may not be aware of the local advisories due to a lack of media distribution. World Aquarium

  22. Prerequisites for Successful Adoption Successful Adoption Trialability Compatibility Observability Relative Advantage Complexity

  23. Benefits World Aquarium

  24. Recommendation • Eco-friendly advisories linked to Statewide Contamination Advisories • Promotion of benefits of eating fish safely • Fish Sensible consumption yield ecological benefits • Where to get more information • Distribution of Wallet Cards in Fish Markets and Supermarkets World Aquarium

  25. Testimonials Educated Consumers! Cooking Shows and Chefs Testimonials World Aquarium

  26. Expected Outcomes • We expect that every fish consumed in a sensible way will affect the environment from which it came, beneficially. • We hope to educate consumers about the issue of overfishing and ask them to encourage their local retailers, producers to source seafood from sustainable fisheries (as identified through wallet cards and certification programs) • We hope that producers and consumers will become economic partners as well as conservation minded, and that any campaign will become effective regardless of socio-economic barriers, since it is based upon common worldwide consumption patterns on a localized basis rather than centering its philosophy specifically to one lookout. World Aquarium

  27. Thank You World Aquarium

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