Write Your MP > Protecting Bermuda's Ocean Starts with Your Voice

To mark World Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Day on August 1st, the Nonsuch Expeditions, through its OurOcean campaign, the Bermuda National Trust and Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce (BEST), are proud to launch a joint campaign encouraging Bermuda residents to write to their elected representatives in support of stronger ocean protection.

The campaign comes as Government prepares to make important decisions on legislation that would establish Bermuda's long-awaited Marine Protected Area (MPA) network following years of scientific research and public consultation. With a PLP leadership transition expected in October, Bermuda will soon be entering a new political chapter. The organisations say now is a timely opportunity for residents to share their views with their elected representatives and help ensure ocean protection remains a national priority. 

Through a dedicated online platform, residents can send a personalised message to their MP in just a few minutes:

CLICK HERE TO WRITE TO YOUR MP

Marine Protected Areas are recognised globally as one of the most effective tools for restoring marine ecosystems, rebuilding fish populations and strengthening resilience to climate change. Bermuda has committed to fully protecting 20% of its ocean, with the proposed network focusing on the island's most important and vulnerable marine habitats while supporting the sustainable use of ocean resources.

The organisations stress that the campaign is non-partisan and aims simply to ensure that elected representatives hear directly from the people they represent.

A representative of the Bermuda National Trust said:

"Bermuda's ocean is central to our identity, heritage and quality of life. Healthy reefs and coastal ecosystems support our economy, protect our shoreline and enrich the lives of everyone who calls this island home. We cannot afford to lose the extraordinary marine environment that makes Bermuda unique. Now is the time for every resident who cares about our ocean to let their MP know that strong protection matters." 

A representative of Nonsuch Expeditions' Our Oceans campaign said:

"Over the past few months, supporters and attendees of our films and other events have asked for a call to action: For more than seven years, local scientists, Government officers, ocean users and members of the public have contributed to developing a participatory and science-based plan for Bermuda's ocean. This campaign gives residents a simple way to show their support for moving that work forward."

A representative of the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) said:

"World MPA Day celebrates countries around the globe that are taking meaningful action to protect the ecosystems that sustain their communities. Bermuda has the science, the public support and the opportunity to be among them. Many people are increasingly concerned that progress has stalled, and this campaign offers a positive and respectful way for the public to encourage continued momentum."

The organisations recognise the significant work already undertaken by Government and the many individuals who have contributed to Bermuda's marine spatial planning process. At the same time, they note that years of scientific research, stakeholder engagement and strong community support have laid the foundation for action, and that every year we delay meaningful protection makes recovery more difficult and more costly. 

They encourage residents to personalise their messages by explaining why Bermuda's ocean matters to them and why protecting it is important for future generations.

Bermuda has a unique opportunity to protect one of its greatest natural assets. The decisions we make today will determine the ocean we leave to future generations. Now is the time to make our voices heard. 

Residents can participate in the campaign by visiting: https://bermuda.eaction.online/Write-Your-MP-to-protect-Our-Ocean

Statement of Scientific Support for Bermuda's Marine Spatial Plan

Below please find the letter of support from Bermuda’s Marine Scientists that we contributed to and signed, and the follow-on Royal Gazette article that can be found here:

Over twenty of Bermuda’s leading scientists and technical experts attended a recent meeting convened with the Minister of Public Works and the Environment to discuss the science used in the development of Bermuda’s Marine Spatial Plan and proposed Marine Protected Areas.

Following that meeting, and together with other scientists and technical experts who have contributed to Bermuda’s marine research, we wish to publicly express our support for the science-based approach that has guided the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme.

The world’s ocean is experiencing rapid, unprecedented changes, including accelerated sea level rise, record-breaking temperatures, and widespread declines in ecosystem health. Bermuda’s waters are experiencing many of these same challenges. Local research and monitoring data show that Bermuda's marine ecosystems are a cornerstone to the island’s economy and are being negatively affected by a combination of fishing, habitat degradation, climate change, storms, and coastal development.

These pressures are compounded by Bermuda's isolated location. Once species, habitats, or ecological functions are lost, recovery can be slow, uncertain, or — in some cases — not possible at all.

Decades of international research show that marine protection is one of the most effective tools for addressing these pressures. Well-managed, fully protected marine areas that safeguard important habitats and ecological processes show the greatest benefits.

These areas provide a sanctuary for marine life, allow fish populations to recover, and increase the ability of marine ecosystems to recover from climate-related stresses. Marine protected areas are most effective when they are part of a larger marine spatial plan, which serves as a blueprint for coordinated management of marine and coastal areas.

Bermuda’s Marine Spatial Plan and proposed Marine Protected Area network were developed using this same approach, combining local research, international best practices, and input from ocean users and stakeholders across the community.

Our plan sets out to protect important offshore marine habitats, such as vulnerable seamounts, and critical platform habitats, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds. It is also designed to protect vital ecosystem processes within these habitats, including nutrient upwelling on seamounts, as well as spawning areas and nursery grounds on the platform — all of which support diverse and abundant marine life and productive fisheries.

International research has also shown that fully protecting at least 30 percent of the world’s ocean is needed to safeguard and restore marine resources, protect coastal communities and food supplies, and slow climate change, with larger areas typically delivering greater benefits sooner. To date, nearly 200 countries have pledged toprotect and conserve at least 30 percent of the world’s land, lakes, and ocean by 2030.

Bermuda’s Marine Spatial Plan and Marine Protected Area network propose full protection for an area well below this 30 percent threshold. As it is currently written, 20 percent of Bermuda’s waters will be protected, with less than 10 percent of the platform proposed for full protection. These coastal waters experience the greatest pressure and are the most important for community well-being and long-term coastal ocean health. Any changes to the proposed plan that remove or reduce full protection on the platform will fundamentally alter the ability of the Marine Protected Area network to provide meaningful, lasting, ecological, economic, and societal benefits.

Maintaining and building on these protection levels is important for achieving Bermuda's long-term vision of a healthy ocean for years to come.

Moving from planning to implementation is now essential to ensure the intended benefits for Bermuda's ocean and community can be realised. The next step is the development and adoption of legislation needed to secure the implementation, management, and long-term success of Bermuda's Marine Spatial Plan and Marine Protected Area network. Continued delays risk postponing the benefits this work was designed to deliver and may require more restrictive management measures in the future to achieve the same outcomes.

As the scientists and technical experts who worked to develop the Marine Spatial Plan and Marine Protected Area network, we have full confidence in the scientific evidence and design principles that were used throughout the process. We think the Marine Spatial Plan represents a balanced, evidence-based approach to safeguarding Bermuda’s marine environment while supporting the sustainable use of ocean resources for future generations. We support the adoption of the Marine Spatial Plan and Marine Protected Area network as proposed.

While international scientific guidance supports protecting at least 30 percent of the ocean, the proposed network represents a meaningful and important step forward for Bermuda and provides a strong foundation to build upon.

We also wish to acknowledge the many Bermuda Government scientists and technical officers who have contributed to the development of the Marine Spatial Plan. Their work has been instrumental in informing the scientific foundation of the plan. The Government's scientific findings, emerging from long term robust and peer reviewed marine research and monitoring programmes, fully support the proposed MSP, marine research and monitoring programmes, fully support the proposed MSP.

Signed by*:

Dr. Mark Guishard, Chief Operating Officer, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

Dr. Eric Hochberg, Senior Scientist, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

Dr. Craig Carlson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

Dr. Thad Murdoch, Independent Scientist

Dr. Tim Noyes, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

Jean-Pierre Rouja, Nonsuch Expeditions / BioQuest / Sargasso Sea Ambassador

Dr. Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley, Associate Professor of Marine Biology, San Diego State University

Dr. Samia Sarkis, Living Reefs Foundation, Adjunct Faculty, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

Noelle Young, Aquaculture and Fisheries Consultant

Dr. Sarah Lester, Professor, Florida State University

Chris Flook, Bermuda Naturalist and Small Boats and Docks Manager, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

Taylor Gorham, BOPP Science Committee

Treiana Zuill, Florida International University, Institute of Environment

Dr. Carika Weldon, CariGenetics

Andrew Stevenson, Independent Cetacean Scientist

Dr. Jan Locke

Dr. Amy Mass, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, Arizona State University

Dr. Yvonne Sawall, Marine Benthic Ecology and Ecophysiology Lab at ASU, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

Dr. Leocadio Blanco Bercial, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences

Dr. Charlotte Andrews, Head of Cultural Heritage, Bermuda National Trust

Myles Darrell, Head of Natural Heritage, Bermuda National Trust

OurOcean social media posts exceed 100,000 views in less than a week →

As a way of boosting supportive Ocean Conservation conversations we are putting out a series of videos under the OurOcean banner which have exceeded 100,000 views in the last week, and have triggered much needed conversations, please see previews here.

Luke Foster Appointed as the First Nonsuch Expeditions Naturalist in Residence

On the International Day for Biological Diversity the Nonsuch Expeditions has kicked off its “Naturalist in Residence” programme with its first appointment: Bermudian undergraduate student Luke Foster.

Since 2021, Foster has been contributing observations to iNaturalist - a social media platform for environmentalists where users can upload records of species and the community can help identify them. In that time, Foster has accumulated 12,000+ observations across 4800+ species worldwide, with 5000+ of those across 1700+ species in Bermuda, making him the most prolific iNaturalist contributor in Bermuda.

"I got addicted to iNaturalist, I wanted to find as many new things as possible," said Foster. The 19 year old is currently studying Zoology at the University of Leeds. He has contributed several first time identifications of species in Bermuda, first photographs of species in Bermuda, and even helped investigate possible undescribed species.

Foster explains that he began identifying species on land, but quickly found that the diversity in the ocean is much greater, with more opportunities for discovery. "I have spent hundreds of hours in the water, flipping up rocks for tiny nudibranchs. There is an infinite amount of stuff to find."

He uses an Olympus TG 6 to take high definition underwater photographs of little known species. The importance of photographic records cannot be overstated: "biodiversity is plummeting - you need a baseline, to prove they were here at some point."

Foster uses a combination of the community of experts on iNaturalist and Bermudian reference books like 'Marine Flora and Fauna of Bermuda' by Wolfgang Sterrer to identify species. Foster says that nudibranchs are a favourite species to spot, as well as noting a fondness for insects, birds and fish.

"To find new things, you have to look small," says Foster. Larger species have already been accounted for, but there are plenty of obscure invertebrates waiting to be discovered.

Foster was collecting sand samples off of Elbow Beach to look for micro snails and discovered an unusual shell that was just 3mm long. Mauricio Fernandes, a Brazilian expert on iNaturalist who was in the process of mapping the phylogeny of snails in the Atlantic, determined it was an undescribed species, not just in Bermuda but around the world. 

"The lab at the University of Leeds was kind enough to take photos of the shell under an electron microscope - often that level of detail is needed to identify small species," said Foster.

After Fernandes saw the photos, he realised that he had made an ID mistake in one of his old papers. It was determined that the shell was actually an endemic species to Bermuda, Triphora turtlebayensis. 

"It's an endemic that no one knows anything about. There's no live specimens that have been collected. It's only described off of a few shells found 30 years ago. This was the first record since then. So unfortunately, it wasn't a truly undescribed species, but it was almost as close as you can get," said Foster.

"If you can identify the species around you, that's the first step to understanding the broader ecology of a system and how all the individual parts work together," says Foster. 

Foster is coming up to the end of his second year at the University of Leeds, and for his thesis he hopes to collect biodiversity data in Bermuda. While he enjoys travelling to other countries to discover species new to him, there's something special about gaining a deeper understanding of Bermuda's ecology.

"I get way more satisfaction from seeing something new in Bermuda than anywhere else," said Foster.

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Jean-Pierre Rouja, Founder of Nonsuch Expeditions shares, “Luke has been prolifically posting his discoveries and observations online for years and the fact that this started whilst he was still in high school makes it all the more remarkable. I look forward to working with him on Nonsuch Island and out into Bermuda’s waters this summer to see what else he might find, and to help us showcase our unique Biodiversity. I may even rope him into helping identify interesting targets for sequencing by BioQuest.”

BioQuest’s mandate to build local genomics capacity so that our biodiversity can be sequenced in Bermuda, by Bermudians for the benefit of Bermuda, without samples needing to leave the country, aligns perfectly with this.

We are also featuring him in a social media series showcasing his finds as part of the recently launched OurOcean campaign boosting ocean-positive content.

Heart of the Sea -Bermuda Premiere as part of Our Ocean Film Series on May 18th

🎥 Please join us for the Bermuda Premiere of the Heart of the Sea short film, 7pm, May 18th at the Speciality Cinema as part of the OurOcean Films series. 

Heart of the Sea plunges audiences into the vibrant waters and rich culture of Bermuda, a vital biodiversity and ocean science hub at the heart of the Atlantic. This documentary offers an immersive exploration of how Bermuda is pioneering a blue economy—one that balances economic growth with the preservation of its precious marine heritage.

Guided by Bermudian scientists, poets, and political leaders, we embark on a journey through the island's breathtaking seascapes and delve into its hidden underwater shipwrecks, bustling with marine life. The film unveils the groundbreaking scientific efforts to combat climate change and safeguard these fragile ecosystems.

Purchase Tickets Here or visit the OurOcean OurFilms page

Where have all our Sharks Gone? Watch “Shark Country”, featuring Teddy Tucker.

PLEASE WATCH THIS FILM

• We are hosting this film as part of the Our Ocean campaign film screenings @ the Speciality Cinema and other locations, please visit Our Ocean Films page for future dates and educational and lunch and learn options.

One of the starkest examples of change on our reef is the disappearance of the once ubiquitous sharks.

Teddy Tucker has been described as a Bermuda National Treasure. Peter Benchley, author of Jaws and The Deep, described his close friend, Teddy as a walking encyclopedia: 'A master of every discipline having to do with history and the ocean. One of the great autodidacts in the history of science.’

Teddy mused that: ‘a day not spent in the underwater world, a day not spent diving, would seem to me a day lost, wasted and empty’. This love of the ocean was married to a hunger for knowledge, a sharp mind and a photographic memory.

Teddy Tucker, best known as a shipwreck hunter and underwater explorer was first and foremost a fisherman. On a fishing trip in 1994 he was asked for his thoughts on changes he had witnessed over his time fishing off Bermuda. One of the starkest examples of change on the reef is the disappearance the once ubiquitous sharks.

Other fishermen and hunters share their observations of further change they have experienced over the past 30 years. Together with Teddy they stand as witnesses to the decline in Bermuda's marine environment gleaned over years of consistent free diving and scuba diving on the island's reef.

Jean-Pierre Rouja > Nonsuch Expeditions Founder: “The almost complete disappearance of sharks from Bermuda’s eco-system as highlighted in this film, simply can’t be ignored.

Despite all of the ongoing debates regarding how much of, and how best to protect the remaining life that we have left in our waters, there should be no question that we are far worse off now than we were a generation ago.

However, the challenge with personally observing changes in the ocean is that each successive generation has a shifting baseline of what is normal, and even then we don’t always notice gradual changes over time. Whilst those of us who spend time on and under the water will have seen changes within our lifetimes, predominantly for the negative, (though at times positive with recoveries possible when reasonable rules are put in place and enforced), no one can deny the fact that we no longer have sharks on our reefs, along with the cascading impact of losing these Apex predators…

Though obviously not to the same degree, I personally have seen this, which is one of the reasons I am so involved in ocean conservation today. I spent my teenage summers in the late 70’s’s working on one of the last large fishpot vessels, and at the time after hauling up our offshore Argus and Challenger seamount fish pots we often had to speed to the next location to get away from the sharks that were following us for fear that they might accidentally interfere with our gear when we dropped it back over… Even at that time though, we rarely, if ever, saw them on the reef platform.”

* The original post was made in March 2024

Our condolences to the Tuckers for the passing of Edna.

Bermuda’s blue parrotfish: Viral United Nations Ocean Conference Campaign

Bermuda’s blue parrotfish were spread virally throughout the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference in Nice with a message:  Protect the Parrotfish - Protect the Reef

“Several years ago for the UN and other global ocean conferences, I started creating stickers using wildlife photography from the Nonsuch Island Nature Reserve’s flora and fauna to promote Bermuda’s biodiversity.”  J-P Rouja, Nonsuch Expeditions Founder & Media Producer

J-P Rouja & Dr. Sylvia Earle

“One of the most popular images was the blue parrotfish, which I then used to create a small batch of lapel pins. These quickly became a favorite amongst our collaborators and supporters — including ‘Her Deepness’, the legendary ocean researcher and activist, Dr. Sylvia Earle (with whom I am an Ambassador for the Sargasso Sea Commission) — and soon the pins were a collectors item featured on the event lanyards of many iconic conservationists and politicians.

This year, the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, gathered ocean advocates, scientists, and politicians from over 200 nations. To build on the momentum, I printed a batch of several hundred 1.5” parrotfish stickers to tag the conference ID badges of friends, collaborators, youth leaders, and like-minded conservationists. This proved highly successful and they gained widespread popularity throughout the conference appearing on badges, phone cases and in event-related imagery.

Whilst the blue parrotfish is a stunning image in and of itself, parrotfish have ecological significance in Bermuda and beyond for protecting the reef. In Bermuda, parrotfish are also a conservation and fisheries management success story.

Parrotfish are considered keystone species for coral reef ecosystems, meaning they are critical to the health of the coral and other life. They not only clean algae from corals, keeping them healthy, but they also help produce the fine sand that Bermuda’s beaches are famous for, though natural erosion, calciferous algae, and single-celled organisms called foraminifera, (which makes our sand pink), also play part in that process.

Despite their importance to the health of our reefs, they were routinely caught and sold as filet by the larger commercial fishing operators in the 1970’s and 80’s, prior to the commercial finned fish pot ban.  As the industry scaled up to larger vessels and much larger pots it was decimating key reef species and virtually collapsed the entire reef fish ecosystem. 

Now, some 30+ years after a subsequent fish pot ban, (whilst other types of fishing is still permitted) the ecosystem has yet to recover properly, with many previously targeted species still commercially extinct, and Bermuda has a lower than expected level of fish biomass found on our otherwise relatively healthy reefs.

A common observation, from world renowned ocean experts, the Cousteaus that I hosted here a few years ago is a perfect example who stated after coming up from a dive: “It's nice to see your healthy corals, but where are your fish?”

In the 80s during my early teens, I spent several summers working as a deckhand for one of the worst offenders. Operating from a larger vessel he took the traditional artesian style 3ft x 3ft pots that could be hauled by hand, and scaled them up to long strings of 10ft x 10ft death-trap pots that could ingest whole schools of fish. I can speak from experience that literally everything larger than the holes in the wire mesh, that entered the traps was pulled to the surface and died. If you would want to eat it (i.e., grouper, snapper, etc.) it was cleaned and sold whole. If you wouldn’t necessarily want to eat it (i.e., parrotfish., etc.) it was sold as filet. If it was too small or inedible, it was thrown into a meat grinder and turned into lobster bait. Seeing our reef fish devastated was an experience I shall never forget and part of the reason why I am now committed to advocate for ocean health and develop tools for sustainable fisheries management and ocean conservation.

A few years later, in 1993, alongside the banning of (finned) fishpots, an outright ban on the fishing of parrotfish was put in place. Although unpopular at the time, more than 30 years later Bermuda is seeing the recovery of many species of parrotfish with spawning aggregations being observed for the first time in decades. Some of these are now found schooling in relative abundance on our reef platform, including giant 2 to 3 ft specimens routinely swimming between tourists feet at popular beaches, a sight unheard of in most of the world where they are still targeted as food. 

The Parrotfish is Bermuda’s testament that fisheries management works, but we need to take it further than just focusing on one species and consider our reef eco-systems as a whole. 

Whilst Bermuda is still in the midst of a drawn out process to establish marine protected areas (MPAs), the lessons learned from our historical targeted protection of species, such as the outright ban on catching parrotfish, and seasonal protection of spawning aggregation sites for red hind and black grouper show that our reefs are resilient when given a chance, and species can recover. Yet, there is a tipping point where it is too late for the ocean and specific species to bounce back, (in our case several species of once abundant grouper, like the Nassau, never recovered), which is why it’s important for us to take further action to protect our reefs worldwide.

In the case of the parrotfish, their recovery is arguably one of many factors why our reef remains relatively healthy (despite the general lack of fish) as their continuous grazing helps keep the algae in check which can otherwise stress a reef, and during extreme events can overwhelm corals before they have time to recover.

It is therefore my humble opinion and suggestion that we should work to protect our reefs as a whole, in a way that is implemented and enforced. And where this is not possible, then at the very least, spawning aggregations should not be targeted, and protecting parrotfish and other grazers should be considered.” 

*These are personal opinions based upon decades of observations in Bermuda. I fully appreciate that these are complex issues, and there may be locations where excessive grazing by parrotfish negatively impact corals when they in turn are not kept in check by apex predators such as sharks. However, this shows a larger imbalance to the health of our reefs, that we should work together to restore.

Protect the Parrotfish - Protect the Reef.

J-P Rouja | Founder > Nonsuch Expeditions | Co-Founder > BioQuest & Station-B

‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ Premiered Ahead of United Nations Ocean Conference

Bermuda’s ocean champions gathered last week for the Bermuda premiere of Ocean with David Attenborough, hosted as a private event by The Nonsuch Expeditions and presented by 10percent for the Ocean and the Sargasso Sea Commission at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. 

The event drew a full house, with many prominent figures from Bermuda’s marine conservation, scientific research, and advocacy communities. Among the distinguished guests were government officials and dignitaries, including the Hon. Jaché Adams, JP, MP, Minister of Public Works and the Environment; the Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice; the U.S. Consul General Antoinette Hurtado, and the acting Deputy Governor.

"It was a privilege to attend this important screening and engage with others committed to protecting our ocean as marine conservation remains a priority for the Government,” said the Hon. Jaché Adams, JP, MP, Minister of Public Works and the Environment. “I want to thank all of the organisers and sponsors for their efforts and look forward to working collaboratively to help ensure the sustainable use of Bermuda’s marine resources for generations to come," 

“This vital film has been four years in the making and reflects the collective effort of hundreds of people working together to spark a profound shift in how we protect the ocean,” said Jasper Smith, founder of 10% for the Ocean, one of the film’s producers. “It is a sobering truth that we spend 100 times more on ice cream than we do on ocean conservation. Through 10% for the Ocean, we’re calling on individuals, businesses and foundations to take the 10% pledge — by committing just 10% of your annual giving to the ocean, we can end the most destructive forms of fishing, restore marine ecosystems, and bring the ocean’s former abundance back to life.” 

Jean-Pierre Rouja, founder of The Nonsuch Expeditions, had previous experience working with Doug Anderson, director of underwater photography for ’Ocean’, as well as co-producer Silverback Films. In 2015 the team worked together in Bermuda for a month to produce a Sargasso Fish sequence for the BBC Natural History Hunt series — which was also narrated by David Attenborough.  “We spent nine months of prep work and several weeks of filming to secure the three minutes of footage that made its way onto the screen, which is quite common for productions like this,” said Rouja. “We have also joined the 10% for the Ocean effort, as their mission aligns with ours, and should be seriously considered by the Bermuda philanthropic community.”

“The message is clear: the ocean's health is essential to the health of the planet,” said Dr. David Freestone, executive secretary of the Sargasso Sea Commission. “We know the threats, and we know that tools like area-based management can help. Now it is up to us to collaborate and put measures in place to ensure these iconic areas keep functioning as they should.”

The screening was also a timely opportunity to highlight Bermuda’s commitment to ocean stewardship ahead of the upcoming UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France (June 9–13) and was followed by an engaging panel discussion with local ocean science experts. 

Panel speakers included Dr. Mark Guishard, COO of ASU-BIOS; Jean-Pierre Rouja, founder of Nonsuch Expeditions, co-founder of BioQuest and Station-B; Jessica Mello, blue economy expert at Blue Bridges; and Fae Sapsford, marine research fellow for the Sargasso Sea Commission. The panel was moderated by Ali Hochberg, sustainability consultant and responsible tourism specialist. 

Discussions centred around: 

• Bermuda’s history of important contributions to ocean and atmospheric science. Using decades of oceanographic measurements collected by time-series programs run by ASU-BIOS, we have increased our fundamental understanding of baselines conditions in the ocean, the ocean’s role in the climate system, and how the ocean is responding to a changing global climate.

• Development and application of cutting-edge ocean science technologies. Recent examples include passive acoustic sensors for monitoring and protecting marine species; specialised modular sensors for coral reef assessment and management; and environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and sequencing in partnership with local non-profit BioQuest.

• The potential for growth in Bermuda’s blue economy. Blue economy industries such as marine tourism, renewable energy, and food production can be further developed in Bermuda through targeted investments in technology, data, and finance, along with the implementation of strong legal and regulatory frameworks to protect vital ocean resources.

• Tools for ocean protection. Marine protected areas are regions of the ocean set aside for long-term conservation aims. There are a variety of other area based tools for ocean protection, such as the scientific designation of ‘important marine mammal areas’ that highlight critical habitat for cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), which can be used as a starting point for the discussion of conservation measures. 

• Protecting marine life in the open ocean. The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement is a recently adopted international treaty with the objective to conserve and sustainably use marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, including the Sargasso Sea — where the Bermuda Government is playing a leading role in conservation through its ongoing collaboration with the Sargasso Sea Commission.

The event was sponsored by Butterfield & Vallis, The Loren, and conservation patrons Brining and Lampit, and presented by 10% for the Ocean — one of the film’s producers in collaboration with the Sargasso Sea Commission, with support from The Nonsuch Expeditions