Future Oceans
Deborah Steele
Plymouth Marine Laboratory
1st Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research (IMBER) Open Science Conference
This 1st Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research (IMBER) Open Science Conference housed 6 plenary presentations, 24 parallel sessions, 2 poster evenings and 10 workshops with the theme “Research for Marine Sustainability: multiple stressors, drivers, challenges and solutions”. Future Oceans was held in a sunny and beautiful Bergen from the 21rd to the 27th June 2014 and received around 500 participants from 44 countries including 16 developing nations; delegates travelled from across Europe, Scandinavia, USA, Australia, Africa, South America, Canada, Japan, China, India, New Zealand, Taiwan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, republic of Korea and Russia.
The theme of the conference was well reflected in plenary sessions, from Alida Bundy describing the need for a “tiramasu approach” when integrating natural sciences and social sciences; to an up to date global map of Marine Protected Areas and No-take Zones presented by Coleen Moloney and a passionate case for consideration of migratory mega-fauna when planning MPA’s by Claudio Campagna.
The parallel session topics included the ocean carbon cycle, ecological and environmental variability, trait-based modelling of planktonic ecosystems, the dark ocean, mesopelagic functional groups, impact of climate change on marine ecosystems, changing arctic regions, boundary current in the Indian ocean, biogeochemical dynamics, incorporating higher trophic levels in end-to-end models...this diverse list goes on. All sessions ended with open discussions including strategic plans of action for directing research efforts. This gave the sessions a purpose, which was a reflection of the entire conference.
A personal highlight of the conference was Susana Agustí in the Dark Oceans session describing her finding of ubiquitous healthy diatoms from 2000m to 4000 m depth in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. This 1st IMBER Open Science Conference was over-subscribed from the outset and was full of propose and drive in the sessions and break-away meetings. It seems to mark an important change for IMBER and afforded the opportunity for outsiders, like me, to join their agenda of understanding the sensitivity of marine biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems to global change, predicting ocean responses, and the effects on the Earth System and human society.
Profile
Deborah Steele is a marine microbial ecologist, using experimental methods and in-situ measurements to investigate the survival mechanisms and death processes of microalgae and how the functionality of the cells alters during these processes. Current research is focused on indicators of microalgal physiological state, using stress induced alteration products of chlorophyll, molecular probes and fluorescence measurements. Deborah is currently finishing her PhD at Plymouth Marine Laboratory. She completed an MSc by dissertation from Essex University in 2010 and prior to that graduated from the University of St Andrews with a BSc (Hons) in Ecology.
Latest News
Workshop on the contribution of UK Arctic Ocean science to the International Polar Year 32/33
12:00 11th June – 16:00 12th June 2025: NOC Southampton (In-person with online option): Registration deadline 16th May
REGISTER HERE
Pre-meeting questionnaire (open to all)
The purpose of this workshop is for the UK Ocean Science community to discuss and then draft a prospectus document outlining the priority Arctic research questions the community would like to address during the run up to, throughout and beyond the International Polar Year 32/33. Additionally, to identify what unique strengths and technologies the UK has to help fill these knowledge gaps.
The second day of the workshop will be dedicated to writing groups, one for each of the priority research questions identified - from both the pre-meeting questionnaire (HERE) and day one discussion. By the end of the meeting, each group will have produced draft text and sourced supporting figures for the prospectus.
Post meeting, the draft will be opened for comments and suggestions from everyone, regardless of whether they were able to attend the workshop or not. It will then be shared with UK funders (UKRI, FCDO, DSIT, ARIA) and potential international programmes with whom we would like to collaborate (e.g. Arctic 2050, Norway). It will form a basis from which wider integration with terrestrial, atmospheric and cryosphere communities can be built, e.g. at the UK Arctic Science Meeting in September in Northumbria.
To ensure balanced community and ECR representation, and to ensure that the size of the writing groups is efficient and effective, if the number of registrations from individual institutes becomes overwhelming, we may contact individuals or teams and ask that each institute selects a smaller number of individuals to attend in-person. Please wait for confirmation of in-person attendance before finalising travel arrangements.
The workshop will be open to hybrid attendance and contributions on both days.
Challenger Society Council Position Vacancy
The Challenger Society for Marine Science (CSMS) are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to support the next generation of ocean scientists and innovators. CSMS are looking for a new Council member to fill the Student Travel Awards and Stepping Stones Portfolio. The successful applicant will administer the travel and research grants available for Early Career Researchers.
The role involves:
- Receiving applications for the two schemes and responding to applicant inquiries
- Soliciting and compiling input from the rest of the Council for assessing the applications
- Communicating with successful and unsuccessful applicants for the two schemes
- Working with the Honorary Treasurer on allocating funds to successful applicants
- Following up with award winners on their reporting requirements
- Attending Council meetings four times a year (in person or online) and contributing to discussions and decision making for CSMS
The usual term for Council members is three years.
For more information about the CSMS Council, please follow this link: https://www.challenger-society.org.uk/The_Council
For more information about our Early Career Researcher grants and awards, please follow this link:
https://www.challenger-society.org.uk/Stepping_Stones
and
https://www.challenger-society.org.uk/Travel_awards
If you are interested in applying or have any questions regarding the role, please contact kathen@bas.ac.uk
NOC Association (NOCA) AGM 2025
The 14th AGM of the NOC Association will be held on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th May 2025. This free, on-line event will take place on Zoom, across two consecutive mornings, each starting at 10:00 and ending at 12:30. The agenda will focus on national capability (NC) science, ships, and autonomous vehicles, and how the community can engage. There will be an update on AtlantiS and on the new marine science scoping group. All are warmly welcome to join.
To participate, please complete your registration here.
For enquiries: Jackie Pearson, Secretary to NOCA: jfpea@noc.ac.uk