We look forward to supporting and continuing the development of the UK's contribution to this vital international effort.
A recent publication following a workshop led by The Royal Society has announced four key strategic research priorities for the UK, as part an international effort towards the goals of the UN Ocean Decade.
The UN Ocean Decade, which is to be held from 2021 to 2030, aims to strengthen the international cooperation needed to develop scientific research and innovative technologies, for the sustainable management of the ocean.
The virtual workshop, which took place in October 2020, bought together representatives from key ocean research and policy organisations, including the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), for collaborative discussions to prioritise the UK’s research contributions to the Ocean Decade in the coming years. Four key research areas were identified: the interactions between coral reef ecosystems and regional socio-economics, human impacts on deep sea ecosystems, the impact of sea level rise on the coast and understanding the impact on marine ecosystems of multiple concurrent environmental pressures.
The NOC provided a key role in the workshop, including talks from Chief Scientist and Director of Science and Technology Dr Angela Hatton and Principal Scientist Prof Stephanie Henson.
Professor Stephanie Henson said: “The NOC were delighted to play an important role in The Royal Society Workshop, collaborating with other key ocean organisations to reach consensus on key research areas which will help to achieve the goals of the UN Ocean Decade. We were pleased to present a key note talk on the topic of multiple pressures, one of the priority topics identified at the session. We look forward to supporting and continuing the development of the UK's contribution to this vital international effort.”