Meetings & Events | Ocean Science Briefings

Sacramento Luncheon Briefings

Mapping Impacts to California’s Coast: The Good, the Bad, and the Contaminants of Emerging Concern

April 2nd, 2008

Featuring Dr. Ben Halpern, a Research Biologist from the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS), and Steven Bay, Principal Scientist from the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP). This luncheon was moderated by Brian Baird, Assistant Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Policy, California Resources Agency.

Background Information

Dr. Ben Halpern and colleagues recently revealed the first map of the cumulative impacts on the global ocean: impacts ranging from overfishing and pollution to climate change and coastal development. This high profile paper published in the journal Science February 15, asked: Where in the world are the last pristine oceans?

On April 2, Dr. Halpern will present, for the first time, the California specific map detailing the threats to California's coastal waters. This can provide information about where some activities can continue with little effect on the oceans, and where others may have more serious impacts.

Steven Bay from the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, or SCCWRP, is investigating one of the more concerning impacts - the impact of chemicals on the marine environment. Thousands of potentially toxic chemical compounds are continually discharged into freshwater and marine environments. These chemicals which include pharmaceuticals, beauty products, flame retardants, and plastic additives are showing up in increasing numbers of life-forms. Their effects, such as causing female characteristics to appear in male fish, are under investigation.

Luncheon Agenda

Speaker Bios

Presentations

"Mapping the Impact of Human Impacts on Marine Ecosystems in the California Current" (Halpern)

Presentation

"Effects of Pharmaceuticals and Other Contaminants on Coastal Fish" (Bay)

Presentation

References

References List

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