“Addressing future Antarctic challenges from an Oceania perspective”

18^th – 19^th September 2017

        Monash University, Melbourne (Australia)

Global change now, more than ever before, is threatening society and biodiversity around the planet. The Antarctic region is no exception, and whilst largely considered to be pristine, and a “nature reserve, devoted to peace and science”, it is actually at risk from multiple pressures. The Antarctic Peninsula has experienced one of the most rapid temperature rises in the Southern Hemisphere, and managing invasive species has been labelled as the number one priority of the Antarctic Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP). Tourist numbers to the region continue to grow and each year more countries are interested in joining the Antarctic Treaty System and being involved with the governance of Antarctica. We are only beginning to understand what these changes mean for Antarctic science, biodiversity and society.

What can the Oceania region do to help address future Antarctic challenges and in what way can we contribute to perpetuate the aims of the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol for Environmental Protection? The 1st APECS Oceania symposium aims to bring together early career Antarctic researchers from across Oceania to address these questions and highlight what our region can contribute to tackling future Antarctic challenges.

Date:

The symposium will run on 18^th – 19^th of September as part of Polar Week celebrations worldwide.

Venue:

The symposium will be held in Australia with presentations from early career scientists and keynote speakers. For NZ speakers unable to attend in person – we can connect via video link to allow attendees to participate from across the Tasman Sea.

The venue for this event will be:

Australia: Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria

Keynote Presenters:

Dr Gwen Fenton 

Dr Gwen Fenton is the Chief Scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division, where she is responsible for reviewing the Antarctic Science Strategic Plan and strengthening collaborations with East Antarctic partners such as China, India, Japan and France. Prior to her appointment as Chief Scientist, Dr Fenton led the Australian Antarctic Team that was responsible for Science planning and coordination for all projects under the Antarctic Science program. Also, Dr Fenton worked for the Tasmanian Government managing the states marine environmental policies. Dr Fenton’s PhD revolutionised our understanding of the age of an important fishery species, the orange roughy, revealing that this species is extremely slow growing, leading to significant changes in the management of the species.

Dr Aleks Terauds 

Dr Terauds is a Senior research scientist with the Australian Antarctic Division, his research focuses on understanding and modelling Antarctic and subantarctic species distributions, communities and broad patterns of biodiversity and the application of these insights to conservation and management. Dr Terauds is also the chief officer for the Standing Committee on the Antarctic Treaty System also known as SCATS. SCATS is the body tasked with developing SCAR’s scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and its Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP), the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS), and the Advisory Committee to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP).  

Registrations

Registration to attend the APECS Oceania Symposium in Melbourne are now closed. However, you can join us online via the links below.

APECS Oceania Keynote 9-10:30am AEST 18 September
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2777973687489017345
Webinar ID: 313-588-315
APECS Oceania Session 1 10:30am – 12:30pm AEST 18 September
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2929408324471025153
Webinar ID: 844-605-387
APECS Oceania Session 1 1:15pm – 3:00pm AEST 18 September
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4406879273318328065
Webinar ID: 479-162-027
APECS Oceania Session 3 3:30pm – 4:45pm AEST 18 September
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4801139953783016705
Webinar ID: 253-098-619
APECS Oceania Keynote 2 1:15pm – 2:45pm AEST 19 September
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5301460625374621697
Webinar ID: 406-801-627
APECS Oceania Final panel 2 3:15pm – 4:00pm AEST 19 September
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2217082019835085057
Webinar ID: 410-006-715

Preliminary Schedule

Sponsors

This event is sponsored by Monash University.