Coastal ecosystem disturbances, fish and shellfish poisoning and their socio-economic implications

© Secretariat of the Pacific Community

(Note that further reading material is referenced in our WP2 Documents section)

The Pacific region represents an area of major strategic importance for the European Union and is of critical importance for global sustainability. The region's rich natural resources support major development for the region. However, rising sea levels, pollution, and social and cultural changes are putting all of this at risk, with the impacts being felt both locally and globally. The Pacific-Europe Network for Science, Technology and Innovation (PACE-Net Plus) supports the EU-Pacific policy dialogue and cooperation for addressing a number of major societal challenges: health and wellbeing, nutrition and food security, climate change, natural resources and the environment. It seeks to promote the implementation of joint activities, support innovation, and strengthen Pacific-EU research cooperation partnerships.

Researchers, fisheries managers, public health officials and policy makers from both the Pacific and Europe will meet and discuss the latest knowledge and identify priority areas for future joint research and innovation to address the global challenges. They will also identify funding options and potential partner institutions. Four key thematic areas have been identified for discussion during the Think Tank:

1. Marine toxins (covering taxonomy and diversity of toxin-causing species, bioaccumulation of the toxins in the foodweb, and ecological impacts on marine organisms and ecosystems);
2. The effects of climate change and environmental disturbances on fish and seafood poisoning (covering climatic and anthropogenic drivers of seafood poisoning);
3. Health (covering epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment (including traditional practices)); and
4. Societal, cultural and economic aspects (covering nutrition/dietary aspects and changes, food security, changes to traditional behaviours, communication/prevention and economic impacts).

The recommendations made in this think tank will be presented at the bi-regional policy dialogue platform that will be held in Auckland in December 2014.

This Think Tank is open to a limited number of participants. Please contact the organisers (below) before registering.